Again, another easy choice. Jon Kabat Zinn is largely responsible for the development of the notion of mindfulness as a medical response to certain psychological and physical conditions. In this follow-up to Full Catastrophe Living - the book in which he presented the basic Mindfulness Programme as a way of reducing stress and healing from illness - here Jon Kabat-Zinn goes much more deeply into the practice of meditation for its own sake. It is his most accessible work, in short and almost poetic chapters, and is very helpful about the reasons for and practices of meditation. It has three parts: The first gives reasons why you should start or deepen a personal practice of meditation. The second explores some of the basic aspects of any mediation practice. And part threec explores various applications of mindfulness. I first read this book over four years ago and still return to it regularly, finding little bits of inspiration and wisdom on each page.
....meditation is not about feeling a certain way. It's about feeling the way you feel. It's not about making the mind empty or still, although stillness does deepen in meditation and can be cultivated systematically. Above all, meditation is about letting the mind be as it is and knowing something about how it is in this moment. It's not about getting somewhere else, but about allowing yourself to be where you already are.
Thich Nhat Hahn, The Long Road Turns to Joy
An easy choice for the first book recommended. This simple book by Thich Nhat Hanh is a delight. It is true that it focuses on teaching Walking Meditation. However, it uses walking as a way of touching into the happiness that is already all around us. It slows us down so that we can see. It is written in short chapters and really is a philosophy of life, not just walking. Even in this world when we frequently use cars and public transport we still have to walk. This book allows us to use each step as a way of discovering the richness of the world and the depth inside ourselves.
We walk slowly, in a relaxed way, keeping a light smile on our lips.
When we practice this way, we feel deeply at ease,
and our steps are those of the most secure person on Earth.
