Mindfulness
and Presence
Mindfulness is the heart of
meditation practice. It is both universal and eminently practical. By
paying attention to our body, mind and emotions we can transform them
and awaken to the unique beauty and possibilities of each present moment.
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The
Miracle of Mindfulness
Thich Nhat Hanh
Beacon Press (1976)
Buddhist teacher Nhat Hanh introduces the basic principles of mindfulness
meditation by blending stories and practical exercises in a simple, direct
style.
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The
Experience of Insight
Joseph Goldstein
Unity Press (1976)
Joseph Goldstein studied intensively with many of the foremost Buddhist
teachers of Eastern Asia. The book is a compilation of his instructions
and discourses to students given during a thirty day Vipassana meditation
retreat.
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A
Gradual Awakening
Stephen Levine
Anchor Books (1979)
Stephen Levine is an American teacher of Vipassana meditation who has
taught in prisons and hospices. In this basic text of mindfulness meditation
practice, he presents an approach which skilfully engages and integrates
the mind and heart of the practitioner.
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A
Still Forest Pool
Jack Kornfield and Paul Breiter
Quest Books (1985)
The book is a compilation of the teachings of Thailand insight meditation
master Ajahn Chah. Although his teachings are deceptively simple, they
contain a profound power to transform the mind and heart of the earnest
practitioner.
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Seeking
the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation
Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield
Shambhala (1987)
The book is a skilful blend of practical instruction, psychological insight
and perennial wisdom, born out of the authors' twelve-year collaboration
in teaching intensive meditation retreats throughout the world.
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Peace
Is Every Step
Thich Nhat Hanh
Bantam Books (1991)
Eminent Buddhist teacher Nhat Hanh shows how mindfulness of breathing
and awareness of the acts of our daily lives can transform and heal difficult
psychological states and help develop inner and outer peace in the world.
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Insight
Meditation
Joseph Goldstein
Shambhala (1993)
Based on more than thirty years experience teaching Buddhist meditation
retreats, the book touches on a wide range of topics raised by both beginners
and seasoned practitioners. It offers wise and practical guidance to those
seeking to liberate the mind through insight meditation.
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Living the
Mindful Life
Charles Tart
Shambhala (1994)
Psychologist Charles Tart explores the interface between psychology,
spirituality and mindfulness practice in this handbook for consciously
living in the present moment. He includes a variety of practical exercises
to extend mindfulness into all areas of life.
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Wherever
You Go, There You Are
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Hyperion Books (1994)
In this best-selling book, Kabat-Zinn maps out a simple path for cultivating
mindfulness in one's own life. Quotations from many of the world's great
spiritual traditions reinforce the beauty of dwelling in mindful presence
each moment of life.
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Breath
by Breath
Larry Rosenberg
Shambhala (1998)
Rosenberg, who is a resident teacher at the Insight Meditation Society
in Cambridge, Massachusetts, presents the ancient Buddhist teaching on
cultivating tranquility and insight through full awareness of breathing
in this important book.
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Being Dharma
Ajahn Chah
Shambhala (2001)
Ajahn Chah was a respected
Thai Buddhist master whose refreshingly uncompromising teachings influenced
a generation of Western teachers. He emphasizes the path to freedom from
emotional and psychological suffering through mindfulness and meditation,
and reminds us that by taking ourselves too seriously we cause unnecessary
hardship for ourselves and other people. |
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Food
for the Heart
Ajahn Chah
Wisdom Publications (2002)
Ajahn Chah was an exemplary Buddhist teacher whose simple yet profound
style of teaching had a special appeal to Westerners. This collection
of his teachings conveys the art of Buddhist mindfulness meditation and
skilful living with wisdom, humour and compassion.
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Mindfulness
in Plain English
Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
Wisdom Publications (2002)
This important work by a Buddhist monk and scholar is a clear description
of the myths, realities and benefits of mindfulness meditation. The writing
is clear and straightforward and emphasizes the importance of loving-kindness
on the path of spiritual development.
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One Dharma
Joseph Goldstein
Harper Collins (2002)
Respected Buddhist teacher Joseph Goldstein distills more than forty
years of spiritual practice and teaching in this exploration of a new
emerging Buddhist tradition taking root in the West.
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The Question
to Life’s Answers
Steven Harrison
Sentient Publications (2002)
Steven Harrison challenges the prevailing spiritual, therapeutic and
self-help methods we use to change ourselves by presenting a radical and
inspiring “spirituality beyond belief.”
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Being One
Steven Harrison
Sentient Publications (2002)
The book shows how human relationships can be a focus of spiritual inquiry
and an avenue for self-discovery. Harrison constantly reminds us that
we are already in relationship with everyone and everything.
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Getting to
Where You Are
Steven Harrison
Sentient Publications (2003)
This wide-ranging book examines the contemporary world of spirituality
and meditation with insight and humour. We are encouraged to appreciate
life itself as the ultimate spiritual journey.
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As It Is
Tony Parsons
Inner Directions (2004)
Tony Parsons, known for his innovative teaching, invites us to live life
from a wholly different perspective - one centered in the infinite awareness
of one’s true Self rather than the dream of separation and subjective
individuality.
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Emptiness
Dancing
Adyashanti
Sounds True (2004)
Adyashanti is an American spiritual teacher whose teaching reflects the
insights of Zen and Advaita Vedanta. He shows how the natural opening
of the mind, heart and body holds the secret to spiritual liberation and
realization.
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Coming to
Our Senses
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Hyperion Books (2005)
The book is a companion to the author's Wherever You Go, There You
Are and offers simple, intuitive ways in which we can come to a deeper
understanding of the world and our life path through full awareness and
mindful attention.
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The Myth of
Enlightenment
Karl Renz
Inner Directions (2005)
Through a series of uncompromising dialogues, German-born spiritual teacher
Karl Renz reveals the self-imposed limitations which create the sense
of a separate self and mask our true nature as divine beings.
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The Open Secret
Tony Parsons
Open Secret Publishing (2005)
Tony Parsons speaks directly of the abiding presence which is continually
available to everyone - “an open secret absolutely beyond effort,
path, process or belief.”
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Invitation
to Awaken
Tony Parsons
Inner Directions (2005)
This series of dialogues with Tony Parsons is a radical call to liberate
ourselves from the mistaken belief that we exist as separate individuals.
When we cut through the subtle mental concepts that obscure our natural
state of presence, we realize our true nature and express the freedom
that is our natural state and birthright.
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Nothing Being
Everything
Tony Parsons
Open Secret Publishing (2007)
The book consists of insightful dialogues between Tony Parsons and seekers
from around the world. With humour and patience, he continually leads
questioners to the basic truth of their own existence as timeless presence
and being.
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A Thousand
Names for Joy
Byron Katie
Three Rivers Press (2007)
In her unique, engaging and direct style Byron Katie shows how suffering
can be ended by questioning the stressful thoughts that create it. Her
stories of total ease and acceptance in every circumstance of life exemplify
the awakened mind.
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The Sound
of Silence
Ajahn Sumedho
Wisdom Publications (2007)
Ajahn Sumedho is an American monk who studied closely with renowned Burmese
meditation master Ajahn Chah. This collection of his simple, direct, and
often humorous teachings illuminate the path of meditation and mindfulness.
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The Wise Heart
Jack Kornfield
Random House (2008)
This important book examines the universal teachings of Buddhist psychology
and their practical application to psychotherapy and transforming the
human mind and heart. Kornfield, who holds a PhD in clinical psychology,
has been one of the leaders in introducing Buddhist practice and psychology
to the West.
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The Tao of
Now
Josh Baran
Hampton Roads Publishing (2008)
This valuable collection of quintessential wisdom is drawn from a wide
range of ancient and modern spiritual teachers and traditions. The universal
message is that “the happiness and peace we seek is right here,
right now.”
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Doing Nothing
Steven Harrison
Sentient Publications (2008)
This groundbreaking book, translated into nine languages, offers a radical
perspective on the quest for enlightenment. He offers seekers “a
way to touch the truths of life through the simple act of stopping the
search: doing nothing.”
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The Wonder
of Being
Jeff Foster
Non-Duality Press (2010)
Jeff Foster emerged from a spiritual crisis following a life-changing
experience of awakening in the 1990s and currently holds meetings and
retreats in the United Kingdom, Europe and America. He writes with clarity,
humour and compassion as he points out the hidden assumptions which underlie
the search for enlightenment and prevent us from realizing and expressing
our true nature in each moment of life.
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What’s
Wrong with Mindfulness
Robert Rosenbaum and Barry Magid
Wisdom Publications (2016)
This uniquely-titled book is an anthology of essays and perspectives
from Western Zen Buddhist teachers and academics which examine the current
fascination of Western culture with the practice of mindfulness. The contributors
place mindfulness within the context of traditional Buddhist teachings,
showing how it transcends its Western application as a “cure-all”
for stress, health problems, relationship issues, and existential anxiety.
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The Deepest
Acceptance
Jeff Foster
Sounds True (2017)
In The Deepest Acceptance, Foster explores our resistance to
life's experiences which prevents us from living fully immersed in each
moment of our lives. “Love is the highest form of acceptance. Judgment
is the mechanics of non-acceptance.” Foster’s warmth, humility,
and penetrating honesty shine through the pages of this wise, insightful
book.
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No Time Like
the Present
Jack Kornfield
Atria (2017)
Respected Buddhist teacher
and author Jack Kornfield explores mindfulness and living in the present
from the perspective of inner transformation and working through life’s
challenges. He offers inspiring stories, practical meditations, and timeless
wisdom to show how we can find love and freedom in our daily lives. |
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