Want to deepen your meditation practice? Check out these must-read meditation yoga books to help you do that.
Introduction
Delving deeper into meditation can be done on the floor in your favorite position and eyes closed. It can also be done relaxing on the sofa with some great meditation literature. Reading about yoga and meditation is a great way to draw you deeper into your practice and pick up new meditation techniques.
Meditation Yoga Books are a great source of inspiration, knowledge and relaxation.
Below you will find some of the great classics on mediation, as well as some which offer modern approaches to these ancient practices.
We invite you to check out some of these recommendations and see how you can benefit from them.
Meditation Yoga Books
1. The Living Gita: The Complete Bhagavad Gita – A Commentary for Modern Readers by Swami Satchidananda
This is one of the best-known translations and commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita – an ancient religious Hindu text originally part of the Mahabharata. Although it is not a traditional meditation book, it is known for its wisdom and spiritual content, which helps light the path to meditation.
Swami Satchidananda brings to light the modern understanding of the essence of Hindu spiritual knowledge and tradition. The text is one of the most important literary heritage in yogic practices and is recommended to anyone interested in delving deeper into yoga, meditation and spirituality.
Known to be one of the most faithful to the original content and spirit, this Bhagavad Gita commentary and translation is here to guide its readers to understanding and seeing life as a joyful and free experience.
2. Meditation & Mantras By Swami Vishnu Devananda
A classic approach to meditation and mantras by Swami Vishnu Devananda is most recommended for anyone wanting to follow the traditional teaching and practices of yoga.
Written by an experienced yoga guru, this book offers practical and authentic teachings on meditation and mantras. The paths mentioned in this book follow the Raja, Karma, Jnana and Bhakti Yoga teachings and are meant to support anyone searching for divinity within and outside the Self.
3. The Science Of Being And Art Of Living: Transcendental Meditation By Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Another classic book by Maharishi reaches out to readers worldwide to present his invitation to develop humanity to new mental, physical, spiritual and material levels. Based on traditional Vedic teaching, this book explains classical yogic traditions understandably and refreshingly. A book of an investigation into the omnipresent reality of the universe, beginning at the base of the meaning of life and nature itself.
It is all at once ethereal, perspective-broadening, meditative and illuminative. This a literary proposition for yoga practitioners and anyone interested in delving deeper into understanding and experiencing the true essence of life.
4. Meditation and Its Practices: A Definitive Guide to Techniques and Traditions of Meditation in Yoga and Vedanta by Adiswarananda
Based on the traditional teachings from Yoga, Hinduism and Vedanta, this meditation guide is a thorough approach to self-discovery. It focuses on the aspects of meditation from the base of the human body – its physicality, alimentation, posture, spirituality and more.
Presenting us with clear concepts around meditation and spirituality is an excellent recommendation for anyone searching for a traditional and comprehensive approach to one’s practice.
New Books On Meditation
1. The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh
A beautiful guide on meditation and mindfulness written by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers heartwarming and soft anecdotes on how to experience a meaningful and awakened life.
With plenty of practical meditative techniques, this book is highly recommended for anyone looking to work on inner tranquility, self-understanding and mindfulness in everyday actions.
2. Insight Meditation, The Practice of Freedom by Joseph Goldstein
This meditation book introduces Buddhist and yogic meditation practices, focussing on the Vipassana meditation in more detail.
The author also explains the journey one takes when approaching meditative practices, freeing the mind of its daily struggles and the correlation between dharma and psychology to understand true selflessness.
You will also find interesting approaches to communication with others, relationships, life and death and an insight into exploring oneself as an integral part of society.
3. How to Sit by Thich Nhat Hanh
A handy, short book by one of the most appreciated peace activists and teachers of our modern times. How to sit and therefore, how to meditate. Clear and simple guidelines on how to approach meditation and mindfulness for anyone looking for a gentle read.
With short instructions, guided breathing techniques and imaginary work, this is an excellent recommendation for anyone in need of a simple yet thorough introduction to mindfulness and meditation.
4. Meditations on Intention and Being: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, Mindfulness, and Compassion By Rolf Gates
A book of daily reflections, with 365 inspirations to follow to deepen one’s practice throughout the year. All aspects of life are encapsulated in heart-lifting stories on mindfulness and yoga.
Rolf Gates, a writer and yoga teacher, invites us to take a closer look and discover our relationship with our minds, bodies, and overall existence.
Through seven chapters in this book, the author goes through important values in life and gives us practical tools to explore them. He continues to redirect us toward a more open and free path.
The Bottomline
Curiosity and the yearning for more profound knowledge are beautiful values to cherish and strive for. Meditation is one of the spiritual practices which allows us to examine and investigate our true nature, together with the universal energy of life within and around us. Reading and learning from others is a profound way of expanding one’s perspective, and it is highly recommended when plumbing deeper into spirituality and yogic practices.
To accompany you on your meditative journey, we invite you to join our online 30 Days Meditation Challenge and explore spiritual teachings, guided meditations and yoga.
