Mindfulness Resources
Here are some of my (clients’) favorite (mostly) books, videos, articles, etc. Enjoy!
But first…
Over time, aim for about a 100:1 ratio of practicing meditation to learning about meditation 🙃 — up-front, it’ll be closer to 10:1 for the first few months.
Spending much time reading about why or how to meditate, listening to spiritual podcasts, watching enlightening videos, and engaging in discussions is a trick of the ego to avoid sitting and looking in the mirror, to keep its power and keep you stuck.
The same goes for learning most everything in life.
Freedom From Suffering
Music and Life (Video) — Despite our cultural conditioning in school and as professionals, life, like music, is not about reaching a destination but about fully experiencing and enjoying the journey in the present moment.
The First Free Women — Excellent translation of The Therigatha, poems of the first Buddhist women from every kind of background who all shared a deep-seated desire for awakening and liberation.
Tao Te Ching — Poetic trasnlation by Sam Torode, a series of meditations on the mysterious nature of the Tao — the Way, the Light, the very Source of all existence.
The Art of Happiness — Happiness is a skill that can be cultivated through compassion, mindfulness, and reframing challenges.
Man's Search for Meaning — Even in suffering, we can find purpose and meaning, which gives life its deepest fulfillment.
Radical Acceptance — True freedom comes from embracing ourselves fully, with compassion, even in moments of imperfection.
Sapiens — Humanity's story is one of cultural evolution, exploring how shared myths and cooperation shaped our species.
Reconciliation: Healing The Inner Child Within — Healing emotional wounds begins with mindful presence and embracing the inner child with compassion.
Ted Lasso — A relentlessly optimistic American football coach is hired to manage an English soccer team, winning hearts and changing lives through kindness, humor, and the power of believing in others.
Loving-Kindness Meditation Instructions (Video) — Cultivate unconditional love and compassion by silently repeating phrases of goodwill, beginning with yourself and gradually extending to others, including loved ones, strangers, and eventually even difficult people.
When Things Fall Apart — Embrace uncertainty and pain as opportunities for transformation and growth through mindfulness and compassion.
How To Change Your Mind — Explores the potential of psychedelics to heal, expand consciousness, and transform mental health.
Ceremony (Short Readings) — Healing and transformation come from embracing life's challenges as sacred, using rituals of self-awareness, self-love, and intentional growth to create profound change.
The Bhagavad Gita — One of the most ancient human-readable texts teaches the path of selfless action, devotion, and spiritual wisdom.
The Highly Sensitive Person — Highly sensitive people thrive by understanding their trait, setting boundaries, and embracing their unique strengths.
The Samurai And The Fly (Video) — Having the skills to remove obstacles is dangerous, because sometimes we remove the wrong ones, creating more discomfort. Find peace by allowing more of what is.
Fulfillment and Meaning
The Alchemist — A shepherd follows his dreams, learning that the treasure he seeks lies in the journey and within himself.
The Moral Peril of Meritocracy (Book Review) — True fulfillment comes from moving beyond self-centered success to a life of purpose, service, and deeper connection with others.
Relationships
Romantic
The Four Horsemen (Article) — Criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling are toxic communication patterns that predict relationship breakdown unless replaced with healthy alternatives.
How To Be An Adult In Relationships — Healthy relationships require presence, boundaries, and balancing love with independence.
Lasting Love — Deep, lasting love is built by cultivating self-awareness, authenticity, and co-creating joyful relationships.
Family
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents — Healing from the emotional neglect of immature parents involves recognizing their limitations, reclaiming your sense of self, and building healthier relationships.
Leaving Home — Explores the difficulty of breaking free from unhealthy parental bonds to build an independent, authentic life.
Meditation
Walking Meditation — From Thich Nhat Hanh, the master himself.
F*ck That: An Honest Meditation — A humorous guide to meditation and parody of pop-culture mindfulness that mixes awareness with expletives, encouraging you to let go of stress and embrace peace with a no-nonsense, irreverent approach.
Meditation Instructions (Audio) — Among the more skillful meditation instructions out there.
Poetry Collection (Poetry) — Some of my favorite poems that invite deepening and connection.
Perfect Days (Film) — Follows a Tokyo toilet cleaner whose structured daily routines reveal a profound appreciation for life's simple pleasures and unexpected encounters.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (Film) — A mind-bending journey through parallel universes that explores love, family, and meaning, reminding us that even in infinite chaos, the smallest moments of connection matter most.
Mindfulness Essentials (Short Readings) — A series of simple, profound practices for cultivating mindfulness and presence in daily life.
For Professionals
The Dip — Success comes from knowing when to push through the challenging dip in any endeavor and when to quit strategically to focus on pursuits with the most potential.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things — A candid guide to navigating the challenges of building and leading a business, emphasizing that there are no easy answers to the toughest decisions entrepreneurs face.
Podcasts
Deer Park Dharmacast — Teachings and meditations from the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh inspire mindfulness and deep connection to the present moment.
The Happiness Lab — Dr. Laurie Santos explores the science of happiness and offers practical ways to improve well-being in everyday life.
Hidden Brain — Shankar Vedantam reveals the unconscious patterns driving human behavior and how they shape our lives.
Insights at the Edge — Tami Simon interviews spiritual teachers, thought leaders, and visionaries about their transformative journeys and ideas.
Nutrition Facts — Dr. Michael Greger dives into the latest research on nutrition and health, offering evidence-based advice for a healthier life.
Ram Dass Here And Now — Archive recordings of Ram Dass (formerly Dr. Richard Alpert, a Harvard psychologist) explore spirituality, love, and the journey toward self-awareness.
TED Talks Daily — Daily thought-provoking talks from experts on technology, creativity, science, and the human experience.
Ten Percent Happier — Dan Harris and guests share insights on mindfulness and meditation for skeptics and seekers alike.
Apps
Dharmaseed — A vast archive of Dharma talks and meditations from various Buddhist teachers, offering teachings on mindfulness, compassion, and spiritual growth.
Plum Village — A free app with guided meditations, deep relaxations and other practices offered by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and his monastic community.
Courses
The Science of Well-Being — A free online course exploring the psychology and science behind happiness, teaching practical strategies to improve well-being and build a more fulfilling life.
General
Happiness Supports (1-Pager) — a consolidated checklist of all the things to help cultivate wellbeing
