10 Best Mindfulness Books On the Power of Presence
Welcome to Simplish Reads, mindfulness books edition! The busier life gets, the harder (and more important) it is to keep a healthy perspective and cultivate peace of mind. That's why we've curated a collection of mindfulness books; to help you live in the present moment and take life one step at a time.
Our selection of books includes The Power of Now and Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh, among others, ranked according to their helpfulness. Below you’ll find all the information you need to decide which self-help book is right for you.
10 Best Mindfulness Books On the Power of Presence
1. The Art of Simple Living: 100 Daily Practices from a Zen Buddhist Monk for a Lifetime of Calm and Joy by Shunmyo Masuno
Genre: Self-Help, Philosophy, Zen Buddhism
Vibe: A guide to the inner transformative potential of calmness
Read It If You…
Are new to mindfulness practice and would like a practical introduction from a primary source
Enjoy a quiet cup of tea and want more of that experience in your life
Need some philosophical motivation to let go of constantly striving for more
Simplify your life, declutter your mind, and uplift your spirit with this step-by-step guide from the Japanese monk and Zen garden designer Shunmyo Masuno.
Quotes from the Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo masuno
Simplish Review of The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno
The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno is one of those books you can't put away on a shelf for too long. What’s so special about it?
The answer is simple: it gives 100 easy and practical examples of embracing zen philosophy in your everyday life.
The book covers everything from decluttering your space to decluttering your mind. Through its pages, you’ll master a valuable, precious art; finding joy in the simplest things in life.
This book is full of “mindfulness pills”; small nuggets of wisdom that will nourish you daily. With the simple idea that to live mindfully is to live happily, Shunyo Masuno inspires and motivates the reader to understand the practices that build mindfulness.
And he does that with a tone fully infused with the calmness and compassion typical of a Buddhist monk. The invitations might be as simple as encouraging the reader to taste the food, savor every bite, tidy up, stretch, and journal, but Masuno notes that the real power relies on being mindful of the purpose that lies behind every action.
The natural beauty of this book is its clear and honest style, encapsulating the essence of thousands of years of philosophy and making it easily approachable by everyone.
Yes, I bet even the most skeptical ones will surely have a handful of those “aha!” moments. Like many, I was skeptical myself when I first got my hands on this book. However, I had a drastic change of heart later on. The book offers an honest guide on how to change your life in 100 days. It even includes some blank pages to give you a bit of time to reflect, embrace the teachings, and take some time to breathe consciously.
Open this book with an open mind and look through the pages with curiosity, leaving behind all preconceptions and expectations. Just let the wisdom of this book reveal itself. Understanding that to be happy, you need to be mindful and really savor the beauty of things is something that will probably change your life if you let it. The small things will impact you, and you will suddenly become more grateful for the things or people you take for granted, leaving you at peace and joyful.
The bottom line? Everyone can achieve an easy, fulfilling life. This practice is also an art if you approach daily life as an opportunity to practice.
2. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
Genre: Self Help, Spirituality, New Age
Vibe: A meticulously crafted treatise on unlocking life’s greatest treasures through presence.
Read It If You…
Are interested in a non-denominational guide to mindfulness from a Western perspective
Want to overcome your ego
Want to cultivate spirituality but find yourself overthinking it
This classic guide to unlocking the present moment offers guidance on how to free yourself from the ego's constraints and embrace inner stillness for ultimate fulfillment.
Quotes from The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Simplish Review of The Power of Now By Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now is among the best-selling self-help books ever. It offers profound insights into the nature of consciousness and the importance of living in the present. Readers will find in this book the essence of Tolle's teaching, guided on a journey to transcend regrets and anxieties to embrace the transformative power of presence.
Through clarity and wisdom, Tolle invites us to awaken to our true nature, find inner peace, and experience a profound shift in our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now is perhaps one of those masterpieces every person seeking change should read. An extraordinary book that explores spiritual awakening and living in the moment. Tolle's insightful teachings and gentle guidance have the potential to transform the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us. A real strength of Tolle's book is his ability to convey complex spiritual concepts clearly and simply, making them accessible to any reader.
He skillfully articulates the destructive nature of the human ego, which constantly seeks validation, strives for perfection, and dwells in the past or future, trapping us in a vicious cycle of suffering. Through Tolle's wisdom, readers are encouraged to break free from the shackles of the mind and embrace the power of pure presence.
Another aspect that I consider profoundly inspiring is the book's practicality: Tolle provides readers with practical techniques and exercises to cultivate mindfulness and shift their attention to the present moment.
Tolle emphasizes the importance of observing one's thoughts without judgment, reconnecting with the body, and finding stillness in the chaos of daily life. This book's simple yet powerful practices can profoundly impact our inner peace and well-being.
Each page is filled with golden nuggets of wisdom that inspire self-reflection and offer a fresh perspective on life's challenges. The book is structured in a way that allows for the gradual assimilation of its teachings, making it accessible to readers from all walks of life with clear, concise and deeply insightful prose. The Power of Now is a gentle reminder that true happiness is not found in external possessions or future achievements but in the present moment. Tolle's timeless teachings will help you awaken to your true self, transcend your conditioned mind, and cultivate inner peace and joy.
This book is a masterpiece that has the potential to ignite a spiritual awakening within its readers. Tolle's profound insights and practical guidance make it a valuable resource for anyone seeking a more fulfilling and awakened life. Highly recommended for those who seek to break free from the burdens of the past and worries of the future and embrace the power of the present.
3. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
Genre: Self-Help
Vibe: Reflective, contemplative
Read It If You…
If you want to live in the present and stop dwelling on the past and future
If you are looking for inspiration related to a mindful life
If you want to start a life-changing journey into mindfulness
This book offers a profound message of peace and purpose amid life's chaos. It provides readers with tools for cultivating mindfulness and navigating challenges.
Quotes from The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
4. Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness In Everyday by Thich Nhat Hanh
Genre: Self-Help
Vibe: Being conscious and breathing
Read It If You…
If you desire practical tools to find peace in everyday moments
If you want to experience the benefits of meditation
If you are an overthinker
Thich Nhat Hanh invites you to rediscover the beauty of the present moment. He combines personal anecdotes with practical techniques, offering a mindfulness journey to navigating life's complexities.
Quotes from Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
5. Pause, Rest, Be: Stillness Practices for Courage in Times of Change by Octavia F. Raheem
Genre: Self-Help
Vibe: Regenerative, serene
Read It If You…
Love yoga and want to live it
Want to blend yoga's wisdom with practical tools for a more balanced life
The book reflects on three restorative yoga poses that help navigate life transitions. Corpse Pose for endings, Side-Lying Pose for in-between, and Child’s Pose for new beginnings. It emphasizes taking it easy, being present, and dealing with emotions.
Quotes from Pause, Rest, Be by Octavia F. Raheem
6. How to be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving by David Richo
Genre: Self-Help
Vibe: Empathetic, nourishing
Read It If You…
You're looking for a roadmap to navigate grown-up connection
Are on the journey of adulting in your relationships and crave valuable advice
Are seeking insights on communication, intimacy, or personal growth
How to Be an Adult in Relationships will teach you how to cultivate loving relationships with mindfulness. You will explore your personal story and how it has led you to this moment.
Quotes from How to be an Adult in Relationships by David Richo
7. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life by Jon Kabat Zinn
Genre: Self-Help
Vibe: Illuminating
Read It If You…
Looking for self-discovery tips and practical insights on mindful living
Anyone seeking inner peace
Worry too much
This book explains mindfulness and teaches simple ways to practice it in everyday life. It helps you be more present, compassionate, and self-aware.
Quotes from Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat Zinn
8. Mindfulness: An 8-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams & Danny Penman
Genre: Self-Help
Vibe: Inspirational
Read It If You…
Seek a practical and structured plan to introduce mindfulness into your life
You are new to mindfulness
Want to explore the connection between mindfulness and genuine happiness
This book is a guide to discovering genuine happiness and peace amid a hectic life. It offers an eight-week plan that helps you understand and practice mindfulness.
Quotes from Mindfulness: An 8-Week Plan for Finding Peace By Mark Williams & Danny Penman
9. The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness: How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life in Ten Minutes a Day by Andy Puddicombe
Genre: Self-help
Vibe: Starter-kit
Read It If You…
Are looking for a starter-kit guide to contemplative practice
Seek a practical and modern approach to mindfulness
Looking for a guide that's easy to read and helps you to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine
The Headspace Guide to Meditation & Mindfulness by Andy Puddicombe is a practical guide to mindfulness and meditation. Andy's simple approach to being present can help bring clarity and calm into your everyday life.
Quotes from The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness by Andy Puddicombe
10. Heal Your Way Forward: The Co-Conspirator’s Guide to an Antiracist Future by Myisha T. Hill
Genre: Self-help
Vibe: Transformative
Read It If You…
Are navigating through personal challenges and seeking a holistic approach to healing
Desire a guide that combines insightful reflections with practical tools for personal growth and self-discovery
Heal Your Way Forward by Myisha T. Hill is a groundbreaking exploration of antiracism, offering a guide specifically designed for white and white-identifying individuals. Hill's work blends activism and healing, offering a roadmap for positive change toward a more equitable future.