15 Must-Read Books for Mindfulness and Meditation, According to Mindfulness Teachers

I've learned over the years that meditation is a skill best attained through direct experience. Books serve as guides, pointing the way but requiring us to walk the path ourselves. The search for “meditation books” on Amazon alone returns over 70,000 results! With thousands of options available, it can be overwhelming to find the right ones.

In this guide, we'll explore a curated selection of the best books on mindfulness, ranging from classic texts like "Wherever You Go, There You Are" to modern interpretations of timeless teachings.

Meditate Better with These Books Handpicked by Mindfulness Teachers and Coaches

How are books chosen?

We selected these books because they offer practical guidance, are grounded in science as well as timeless teachings, and can help you begin, deepen or refresh your mindfulness practice. They’ll be your trusted companions as you explore greater self-awareness and inner peace.

Bob Stahl,  Ph.D. - MBSR mindfulness teacher 

Bob is a renowned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher trainer, a pioneer in bringing mindfulness programs to medical settings, and a founder of 8 mindfulness centers. I had the pleasure of taking his MBSR course, and have enjoyed attending his weekly group meditations ever since. 

Bob’s top picks:

#1 Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana

"There are so many books, but this is one of the best," Bob says. This book offers practical guidance on meditation, teaching readers how to watch their mind calmly, gain insight into behavior patterns, and develop the "mental art of stepping out of your own way."

Related: A deep dive review of Mindfulness in Plain English.

#2 Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening by Joseph Goldstein

Bob praises this comprehensive guide to the four foundations of mindfulness. This modern-day guide to mindfulness grew out of a series of 46 lectures Goldstein delivered at the Forest Refuge, a retreat facility for experienced meditators at the Insight Meditation Society.

Drawing from his four decades of teaching insight and loving kindness meditation worldwide, Goldstein shares his personal meditation journey, unpacks the meaning of the Satipatthana Sutta in a “line by line” analysis, and puts ancient traditions into practice “as a way of transforming our lives.” 

Samuel Morales Jr. - Tech Industry Meditation Teacher

Samuel (@smoralesjr) brings a unique blend of Zen, Insight, and Tibetan meditation traditions to his teachings. His experience includes facilitating mindfulness at tech giants like Google and Square, and training meditation teachers at The Path, including myself, impacting many practitioners across diverse backgrounds. 

Sam's top picks:

#3 Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

This is a great introduction to the Soto tradition of Zen Buddhism, but also is great for anyone looking for an approachable introduction to meditation. It emphasizes the concept of “beginner’s mind”, an attitude of openness without preconceptions.

#4 Transformation and Healing by Thich Nhat Hanh

Coming from the Vietnamese Thien (Zen) tradition, this book provides practical guidance on using mindfulness to heal and transform suffering. Even though it comes from a Zen perspective, it’s based on the Satipatthana Sutta which is a foundational text in the Theravada tradition and one of the Buddha’s oldest teachings.

#5 Manual of Insight by Mahasi Sayadaw

This comprehensive guide to Vipassana (insight) meditation offers detailed instructions and explanations that may be more suitable for advanced practitioners, but has useful material for beginners as well. Mahasi Sayadaw's text guides meditators in understanding the intricacies of mindfulness practice and the development of insight, leading you on the path to enlightenment.

#6 Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha, An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book by Daniel Ingram

Daniel Ingram's book is a bit non-orthodox, but takes you through the core of the Buddhist path. It demystifies advanced meditation techniques while providing a solid foundation for beginners. Ingram's emphasis on experiential learning makes it a great resource for those new to mindfulness meditation.

Michael Wise - Mindful Leadership at McKinsey, Green Beret Foundation & Startups

Michael, a mindfulness and business coach with experience coaching McKinsey consultants, startup founders, veterans and diverse community groups, specializes in helping high achievers identify and reprogram limiting thoughts and beliefs to find deeper fulfillment.

Michael’s top picks:

#7 The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer

"It's been an incredible reframe for how I handle my thinking mind and inner critic," Michael shares. This book offers powerful insights into freeing yourself from limitations and discovering inner peace.

#8 Be Here Now by Ram Dass

“I love his journey, storytelling, and the variety of wisdom offerings he presents." This counterculture classic offers a mix of Eastern spirituality and Western pragmatism.

#9 The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield

"It succinctly captures the themes of Buddhist psychology," Michael notes, praising Kornfield's sensitive and gentle writing style. This book offers a comprehensive guide to Buddhist teachings on mindfulness and compassion.

Alex Goldau, Un-Executive Business and Mindfulness Coach

Alex coaches leaders, creatives, and business owners on unlocking the three major F's: fulfillment, flow and... FUN in the whole process! His recommendations blend traditional mindfulness with modern spiritual psychology. 

Alex's top picks:

#10 Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

"It's been a book I've loved and recommended to clients, especially early on in their meditation journey," Alex shares. This book offers brief and easy access to the essence of mindfulness meditation and its everyday life application that does not feel as much “Buddhist or mystical so much as common-sensical.”

This classic is particularly suited for those who “resist structured programs and don’t like to be told what to do,” but are curious enough about mindfulness and how to incorporate it into everyday life.

#11 Remembering the Light Within by Mary and Ron Hulnick

This spiritual psychology book provides a foundation for a mindful way of living and breaks down the mind from a spiritual perspective. The authors also offer a 10-month course on Soul-Centered Living and spiritual psychology at the University of Santa Monica. 

#12 The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer

Another great book by Michael Singer that tells a story of an unlikely CEO's meditation journey. Alex appreciates his insights on "how his meditation opened a lot of the doors of what he's created in his life." This book explores the power of letting go and trusting life's flow. All this CEO of a billion-dollar public company wanted was to meditate in peace. 

My Personal Favorite Mindfulness Books

"How do I start meditating and make it a habit?" This is a question I hear often. As someone who has consumed more books on meditation, yoga, and mindfulness than my Audible and Kindle combined can remember, I've taken some time to curate a list of my favorites.

These books have given me tons of inspiration and practical tools for my wellness practice and teaching. I've chosen them for their practicality and usefulness in starting and maintaining a consistent mindfulness practice, whether you're just dipping your toes in or looking to deepen your existing routine.

+1 Mindfulness in Plain English 

Just as Bob Stahl says, "Mindfulness in Plain English" is an all-time favorite and a wonderful guide for modern meditators. I particularly value its ability to demystify meditation, and clear step-by-step guidance on why, how, where, and when to meditate. The book’s logical approach resonates beautifully with analytical thinkers like me.

#14 Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng Tan

When mindfulness was first introduced at Google, nobody, especially the engineers, wanted it. So, they rebranded it as "Neuro Self-Hacking," promising a way to "optimize" the brain for better productivity and performance. Engineers initially came for the neuro-hacking but stayed for mindfulness. As one of Google's earliest engineers, Tan developed a mindfulness program that shifted the company's culture, emphasizing emotional intelligence and well-being.

"Search Inside Yourself" is exactly that: a guidebook for those who are skeptical about meditation. Based on the science-backed curriculum at Google, this book shows how mindfulness can enhance awareness, creativity, leadership skills, and compassion. You'll find practical tips and surprising insights, like how to calm your mind on demand.

What makes this book different is its refreshingly lighthearted and even humorous approach to mindfulness, reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously with its funny "memes" and playful illustrations.

Yet, beneath all the fun and jokes lies a powerful curriculum for personal and organizational transformation. In my opinion, this is one of the best books for those looking to integrate mindfulness into the workplace and their personal lives.

#15 Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom by Rick Hanson

Neuropsychologist Dr. Hanson masterfully blends neuroscience with mindfulness practices to offer practical tools for healing and growth. His book is rich with bite-sized exercises, neuro affirmations and "brain breaks" for common challenges like anxiety and self-doubt, while also explaining how mindfulness can rewire the brain for lasting well-being. What makes this book truly stand out is its empowering approach, offering readers a real-life toolbox for increasing happiness that doesn't rely on external factors. 

In celebration of Buddha's Brain's 15th anniversary, Dr. Rick Hanson recently hosted a masterclass on using positive experiences to heal the imprints of negative past events.

#16 Into the Magic Shop by James R. Doty

Written by a neurosurgeon, "Into the Magic Shop" is a personal journey from survival to extraordinary success and self-realization. Doty shares his path to inner peace and his four-step formula for manifestation, combining neuroscience, mindfulness, and a touch of kind magic he learned from Ruth during his impoverished childhood in a neglectful home.

With easy-to-follow mindfulness exercises ("Ruth's tricks"), he offers a blueprint for transformation - further proved by scientific evidence - how to calm the mind and cultivate inner strength. It's not about pulling rabbits out of hats - it's about pulling potential out of yourself. This book is a practical guide to discovering your own kind of magic.

"The extraordinary thing is that research is now finding that your act of kindness not only benefits those who receive your kindness but benefits you as well." 

Bottom Line on Books about Mindfulness

These essential reads offer a variety of approaches and roadmaps, from the neuroscience-approved strategies to spiritual wisdom, there's something here for everyone.

Remember, mindfulness isn't just about reading and knowing about it – it's about doing it. The real transformation happens when you put these teachings into practice.

So, pick a book, experiment with a few approaches to find what resonates with you, choose your practice, and most importantly - just do it - on a regular basis. I'm rooting for you.

P.S. While I've included Amazon links for easy browsing, please consider giving your local bookstore some love if you can.

Ollie is a California-based meditation teacher and mindfulness facilitator with a globally-inspired practice. A former Ecommerce executive, she founded Meditate Mate and co-founded Inward VR, a mindfulness technology startup. Always curious about emerging technologies, Ollie earned an MIT certification in AI and Machine Learning. She enjoys exploring the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science, finding balance through her daily meditations and catching waves in the Pacific.