Books About Meditation

Here's a selection of books to help you learn how to meditate. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of books on meditation, this reading list is a good place to start. Buy these meditation books at your local independent bookstore (or on Amazon), or check with your local library.

I especially like How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It got me started. I then sent my copy on to Louis. Since then I've bought a couple more copies (and passed some of them on too.) As I progress in my practice, I appreciate what the Dalai Lama says in this modest book more and more.

Speaking of basics, never underestimate The Relaxation Response. It's a classic which means it's as true today as it was when it first appeared in 1975!

Others have meditated before us. We'd be fools not to share in their knowledge and experience.

Studying the dharma compliments sitting; sitting enriches one's study of the dharma. Reading about meditation helps improve one's technique. If nothing else, these books will teach you much more than this website ever can. My book suggestions lean towards Buddhism because I do. If I practiced yoga everyday, one can assume my bookshelf and recommendations would be different. But I don't.

Ultimately nothing beats a teacher.