Do you want to discover everything about the practice of meditation but don't know where to start? Are you already familiar with the different types of meditation but would like to go further?
As usual, the Horus X team is looking out for your well-being: we've prepared a selection of the best books to discover the benefits of meditation, center yourself, live in the present moment, and switch off negative thoughts to achieve inner peace (yes, all that at once).
Some books in our selection are complete guides to meditating, others focus on science and research, and we even have an unconventional and funny book that explores the subject without taboos.
Ready, set, namaste!
The best meditation books at a glance
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The most comprehensive |
The Art of Meditation, Matthieu Ricard Learning to Meditate, Elisha Goldstein, Bob Stahl Meditation is Good for the Brain, Steven Laureys The Meditation Bible, Madonna Gauding |
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The most practical |
The Little Book of Mindfulness Meditation, Élisabeth Couzon Meditating Day After Day, Christophe André Meditation: 108 Mindfulness Lessons, Jon Kabat-Zinn Meditation for Dummies, Fabrice Midal |
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The most unconventional |
Not Wise! (Pas sage !), Marianne Leenart |
Reminder: what is meditation?
Let's start by setting the foundation.
Meditation is an ancient practice of relaxation.
It can be accompanied by a mystical dimension, clearing your mind to reach mindfulness, but that is not an essential aspect.
It is, at the very least, a break to center yourself, to relax. We could almost draw a parallel with yoga: it is a practice that can have higher goals that challenge the rational mind, but because it is a self-care activity, simply taking time to look after your body and mind is something that can benefit everyone, whether or not you connect with the mystical aspect.
There are several types of meditation: Buddhist, mindfulness, guided, transcendental... We have a complete article that explains everything about this subject.
And its practice has many benefits:
- 🧠 Improved concentration: this is a proven effect. Meditating every day allows you to take a step back, have a clear mind, and focus better.
- 🧘 Stress and anxiety reduction: meditation helps reduce cortisol levels, a.k.a. the stress hormone. In addition, breathing exercises help you relax to fully experience the present moment.
- 🙏 Better awareness and management of emotions: by observing what you feel, choosing calm, and clearing your mind, you can reconcile with your emotions and not let yourself be overwhelmed.
- 🤔 Help with decision-making: when your mind is clearer, you can make choices more calmly and objectively.
- 😴 Better sleep quality: we recommend you try meditation to sleep better.
- 👌 Increased general well-being.
💡 If you want to learn more about meditation, feel free to check out our practical guide to meditation and concentration so you can become an expert on the subject!
Let's now delve deeper into the subject with our selection of the best books dedicated to meditation:
"The Art of Meditation" by Matthieu Ricard, the reference work
In his work "The Art of Meditation," Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard (who is also an author, photographer, and doctor of genetics, though not a distiller) offers both an upgraded personal development book and a spiritual guide that allows you to reconnect with yourself, as well as a concrete initiation to start meditating. It's simple: this reference work is one of the best books on meditation.
💡 Good to know: it is also available as an audiobook if you prefer that format.
"Meditation for Dummies" by Fabrice Midal, irreverent and practical
Here again, we have a must-read book to learn everything about meditation, which dispels common misconceptions about the practice. The book approaches meditation with a modern and uninhibited vision to help you learn how to achieve mental well-being and self-awareness. Bonus: 35 downloadable meditation lessons.
"Meditating Day After Day" by Christophe André: an introductory manual
If you are looking for a simple and natural method to get into meditation, we recommend this book: a true introductory manual, it offers a path through 25 lessons, setting the basics (breathing, letting go, observing your thoughts, reconnecting to the present moment, soothing the body and mind) and then guiding you practically with more in-depth meditations.
The author, psychiatrist and psychotherapist Christophe André, has notably helped popularize mindfulness meditation and the MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program in France.
"Meditation is Good for the Brain" by Dr. Steven Laureys: science and meditation
If you're a budding science enthusiast looking for a digest of knowledge validated by scientific research, this book is for you!
In this book, neurologist Steven Laureys presents the results of his research on the effects of meditation on the brain, neurons, stress, and overall well-being. And his research subject is none other than Matthieu Ricard, who describes the work as fascinating.
"The Meditation Bible" by Madonna Gauding: 140 techniques!
Everything is in the title: here, you will find everything there is to know about the subject, whether it's advice for beginners, how to find the right posture, or how to make meditation a daily practice.
It is also, and above all, a goldmine of guided meditations containing no fewer than 140 different techniques. If you were looking for a complete guide, look no further.
"Meditation: 108 Mindfulness Lessons" by Jon Kabat-Zinn: theory and practice
This is actually a box set including Jon Kabat-Zinn's booklet "Meditation" with general information on the tool, 108 lessons on mindfulness, and a more concrete part on how to meditate and use the included meditation CD.
Good to know: Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn is an American professor who created MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), a prevention program that incorporates the benefits of yoga and meditation to, among other things, reduce daily stress.
"The Little Book of Mindfulness Meditation" by Élisabeth Couzon: complete and practical
As the title suggests, in this practical guide, the clinical psychologist focuses on mindfulness meditation.
If you are looking for a complete book with practical tools, we recommend taking a look at this one. You will find everything here, from the history of meditation to the benefits of mindfulness, including tips for letting go and, of course, concrete exercises to do daily to regain serenity.
"Learning to Meditate - The MBSR Method for Everyone" by Bob Stahl and Elisha Goldstein: a practical and fun book
If you want to discover the wonderful tool that is meditation right now without spending hours buried in theory, we suggest you check out this book, designed to be practical and fun.
Based on the MBSR program, this true meditation workbook allows you to get straight into it with 32 downloadable guided meditations, concrete advice, and charts to track your progress and reach your goals.
"Not Wise!" (Pas sage !) by Marianne Leenart, to go off the beaten path
We conclude this selection with a slightly different but no less interesting book! In her book "Pas sage ! Mon livre de méditations anti-clichés" (Not Wise! My anti-cliché meditation book), Marianne Leenart shares her experience, from her departure from a prestigious school to her beginnings in entrepreneurship, her discovery of meditation, existential questions, and her testimony, which goes against the grain of what we are used to reading on the subject.
In short, a book with a more uninhibited vision of meditation, a different angle that is less mystical and more humorous, honest, and down-to-earth. If you struggle to reach mindfulness and that famous "letting go," we recommend you read it!
Final word: the best books on meditation
- The benefits of meditation are no longer a secret: improved concentration, less stress, quality sleep—we really recommend you try it and perhaps adopt it daily, whether or not you adhere to the mystical dimensions of the practice!
- Books are an excellent gateway to meditation, with guided exercises, complete introductions, and numerous writings far from misconceptions.
- To know everything about the subject, we recommend classics like *The Art of Meditation*, *Learning to Meditate*, *Meditation is Good for the Brain*, or *The Meditation Bible* so you can be both zen and erudite.
- If you are looking for a true practical guide to get started today, *The Little Book of Mindfulness Meditation* and *Meditating Day After Day* may interest you.
- Finally, if you prefer to read something less conventional to help you get started and gain perspective, we recommend the testimony of Marianne Leenart in *Pas sage!*
