Let's Not Call It Meditation: Practical Guidance for People Who Think They Can't Sit Still and Quiet the Mind, Padme Nina Livingstone easy-to-read, everyday language about awareness and meditation, especially helpful for beginners
The
Wonder of Presence, Toni Packer
awareness, inspirational, instructional, clear and loving
Zen
Mind Beginner's Mind, Shunryu Suzuki
classic meditation instruction, many people's first book
Taking
the Path of Zen, Robert Aiken
the first week of meditation practice, instruction and what to expect
Peace
is Every Step, Thich Naht Hahn
simple, concise every day awareness practice
Going
to Pieces without Falling Apart, Mark Epstein, PhD.
informative everyday awareness practice
When
Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron
helpful practice for difficult times
Who
Dies?, Stephen & Ondrea Levine
helpful, clear, loving information about death and dying
The
Art of Happiness, H.H. Dalai Lama
just what the title says, by an expert
Essence:
The Diamond Approach to Inner Realization, A.H.Almaas
inspirational material about enlightened mind
Loving
What Is, Byron Katie
exceptional instructions for seeing through all painful belief patterns
Full
Catastrophe Living, Jon Kabat-Zinn
secular meditation and instruction, especially for people with big health
challenges
The
Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi inspirational, instructional,
awareness, awareness, awareness
Conversations
with God, Books One, Two
and Three, Neale Donald Walsch
extremely useful secular instruction & inspiration
Women
Who Run With the Wolves, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, PhD.
instructional, about our archetypal stories- men and women's
The
Enlightened Heart, Stephen Mitchell
inspirational writings of world spiritual masters
The
Essential Rumi, Coleman Barks
poet, spiritual master, lover of life
New
and Selected Poems, Mary Oliver
poetry with attention to detail, awareness & amazement
An
Interrupted Life, Etty Hillesum
the powerful diary of a young (late 20's), aware Dutch Jewish woman during
WWII
Energy
Medicine, Donna Eden
excellent energy work for a healthier, more balanced body/mind.
The
Way of Qigong, Kenneth S. Cohen
an excellent manual for traditional internal Chinese Qi Gong