3. Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, by Sharon Salzberg
As one of America’s leading spiritual teachers, Sharon Salzberg inspires readers to use their desire for love, fulfillment and companionship as a way to achieve spiritual awakening. If the ultimate goal is to experience happiness, self-acceptance and compassion then the path is to always act on what she calls “lovingkindness,” or the act of liberating your heart and cultivating love. This spin on meditation focuses on developing and strengthening the intimate relationships in your life as a way to change your life and achieve maximum joy.
4. Mindfulness in Plain English, by Bhante Gunaratana
One of the most influential books on meditation via the study of mindfulness, this classic is a great introduction for beginners looking to learn about meditation. The author (a monk from Sri Lanka) offers the basic fundamentals of mindfulness, plus common problems you might experience in your daily life and advice on how to deal with them. If offers straightforward explanations on how to practice mediation, plus backs up it’s claims with information and inspiration on why mindfulness is so important.
