Six Books on Mindfulness and Buddhism That Will Change Your Life

I have been studying mindfulness and Buddhism for nearly ten years. I first turned to these subjects after I quit my job and moved to Thailand on a one-way ticket (a story soon to be written). 

This list is a cumulation of the six most profound books on Buddhism and mindfulness I have read in the last ten years, the books that have impacted my life the most. I read 50-80 books a year, mostly nonfiction --- including psychology, history, writing, language, and culture --- so they are not taken lightly from my long book list.

The books are listed in no particular order. Read the ones that interest you, as few or as many as you like. I hope you’ll find them as insightful as I have.

1. Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel

   
   

   First published in 1948, in Zen in the Art of Archery, Herrigel writes about his time in Japan, studying archery as a spiritual discipline and his journey to mastery, expanding upon what he learns in relation to mindfulness and letting go of the ego. It's a beautifully written book, with many sentences you will want to write down, read later and contemplate their meaning.

   
   

2. Falling Into Grace: Insights on the End of Suffering by Adyashanti

   
   

   Adyashanti is a Zen Buddhist; however, his books are not directed to Buddhists, but anyone interested in discovering mindfulness, detaching themselves from the ego and living with greater awareness. He writes about his own experiences, making his teaching easy to understand. This is my favorite of his books, but I have enjoyed many of his others books too.

3. The Misleading Mind: How We Create Our Own Problems and How Buddhist Psychology Can Help Us Solve Them by Karuna Cayton

   
   

   This was the first book I read on mindfulness. It had such a profound impact on me, I started studying Buddhism. This book talks about our sufferings, the causes, and offers insights on how to alleviate them and to obtain greater peace. It combines Buddhist philosophy with modern Western thought, making it accessible to those new to Buddhism. I always recommend it when anyone asks me for book recommendations.

4. Buddhism Plain and Simple: the PractIce of Being Aware Right Now, Every Day by Steve Hagen

   
   

   Another popular book that's been around for a long time, Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen is, as the title captures, a simple explanation of Buddhism. It's a fast, easy read, but don't let the simplicity of the language fool you, there's much to understand and to put to practice.

5. The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu

   
   

   The Book of Joy is a beautiful conversation between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu on joy. Many of the lessons are intuitive, but nonetheless a helpful reminder on how to live a joyful life. It is a beautiful read that will leave you inspired to enrich your own life and the lives of those around you.

6. In Love with the World: A Monk's Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

   
   

   In Love with the World: A Monk's Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying is a beautiful memoir by a Tibetan Buddhist who leaves his monastery to pursue a life of uncertainty and discomfort as a wandering yogi in Nepal and India. This book is a compelling read as Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche encounters many adventures along the way, leading him to a greater understanding of Buddhism and the mind.

Did I miss your favorite book on mindfulness or Buddhism? Please let me know in the comments. More booklists to come.