READ, READ AND READ!

                                       

Throughout this turbulent year, one of our enduring sources of hope and inspiration has been curling up with a good book. Fortunately, when the going got tough, these new titles were there to keep us going. From the books that expanded our knowledge about the brain and the body, to those that helped us ride the waves of emotion and reconnect with compassion, here are some of the Top Picks:-

 1. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life   by Jon Kabat-Zinn

In this book, the author maps out a simple path for cultivating mindfulness in one's own life. It speaks both to those coming to meditation for the first time and to long time practitioners, anyone who cares deeply about reclaiming the richness of his or her moments.

 

 2. The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh, Mobi Ho

In this beautiful and lucid guide, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means of learning the skills of mindfulness--being awake and fully aware. From washing the dishes to answering the phone to peeling an orange, he reminds us that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness.

 

 3.The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle's message is simple: living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, supportive voice and enthusiasm make this an excellent manual for anyone who's ever wondered what exactly "living in the now" means. He packs a lot of information and inspirational ideas into The Power of Now. 

 

4.Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World by J. Mark G. Williams, Danny Penman, Jon Kabat-Zinn (Foreword)

From one of the leading thinkers on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, a pioneering set of simple practices to dissolve anxiety, stress, exhaustion, and unhappiness.

In "Mindfulness," Oxford professor Mark Williams and award-winning journalist Dr. Danny Penman reveal the secrets to living a happier and less anxious, stressful and exhausting life. Based on the techniques of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, the unique program developed by Williams and his colleagues, the book offers simple and straightforward forms of mindfulness meditation that can be done by anyone--and it can take just 10-20 minutes a day for the full benefits to be revealed.

 

5.The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer 

You’ll discover what you can do to put an end to the habitual thoughts and emotions that limit your consciousness. By tapping into traditions of meditation and mindfulness, author and spiritual teacher Michael A. Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness and self-realization.

 

6. Into the heart of mindfulness by Ed Halliwell.

      This is a lovely book. Ed Halliwell was a journalist who, in his twenties, was working for men’s magazines and living quite a wild life of a young lad in the 90s, and he completely burned out and became incredibly depressed. He’s written this very moving, authentic account of how he got out of that through mindfulness.

 

      7. A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled by Ruby Wax 

     She is a comedian. Ruby is very funny about what it means to be frazzled, to be constantly on edge. She’s very self-deprecating and she writes frankly about her own experience of mental health challenges— she has suffered from depression. Mindfulness is what helped her to get out of that.

 

      8. The Mindful Brain by Dan Siegel 

    This is a book that focuses on the neuroscience of mindfulness. It is for those who want to understand the science behind our mind. Siegel gives a detailed account of the workings of the brain that’s quite accessible. 

 

     9. Mindfulness in Action by Chögyam Trungpa 

    This is the only book in the list that is by a great Buddhist meditation master. Mindfulness training does have a lineage coming from the Buddhist tradition and Chögyam Trungpa was a brilliant teacher who spoke in a fresh and direct way to Westerners. This book is for those who want to heal with Buddhism tradition.

 

     10. The Monkey Mind Meditation Deck (Fun Ways for Kids to Chill Out, Tune In, and Open Up)

       With exquisite illustrations by Alexander Vidal, this pack of 30 cards mixes many images: We find weather (rainbow, gentle breeze, hurricane), natural features (tree, mountain, rushing river), and anthropomorphized animals (cranky crab, burrowing bunny, loyal dog) on one side, and simple, playful meditation practices on the other side. The result is a stunning variety of short, insightful practices that can be, according to the accompanying guide, “a source of invention and play, a safe way to reflect on difficult topics, and a form of nourishment and support for children navigating an increasingly complex world.”