It can be challenging to stay present, especially when we're living with constant demands on our attention. All the stimulation can make it hard to relax, leave us feeling overwhelmed and like we're not in the driver's seat of our lives. As we practice mindfulness and learn how to stay present, we can become more self-aware and intentional with what we give our attention and energy. Here is a list of books that can help you develop your capacity for mindfulness, a foundational skill for building stronger mental health.
These titles have been recommended by folks in our community, including counsellors and people who have first-hand experience with hard feelings.
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How To: Mindfulness Essentials Series Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh's books offer the essentials of mindfulness practice. We carry How to Sit, How to See, How to Relax, How to Walk, How to Fight and How to Love. Each pocket-sized book provides explicit, simple directions for carrying out everyday activities with the focused awareness of mindful attention. Buy Now at Hard Feelings: |
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Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN
By Tara Brach In this heartfelt and deeply practical book, she offers an antidote: an easy-to-learn four-step meditation that quickly loosens the grip of difficult emotions and limiting beliefs. Each step in the meditation practice (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) is brought to life by memorable stories shared by Tara and her students as they deal with feelings of overwhelm, loss, and self-aversion, with painful relationships, and past trauma, and as they discover step-by-step the sources of love, forgiveness, compassion, and deep wisdom alive within all of us. |
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Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times By Katherine May |
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The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times By Pema Chödrön |
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Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha By Tara Brach |
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Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing By David A. Treleaven
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Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time By Rick Hanson |
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Wherever Your Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life By Jon Kabat Zinn |
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No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are By Jack Kornfield |
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Goodnight Mind: Turn Off Your Noisy Thoughts and Get a Good Night's Sleep By Colleen Carney & Rachel Manber |
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The Comfort Book By Matt Haig |
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Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself By Kristin Neff
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