By Sofie Charron, RP
"Are there any books I should be reading!?"
As a therapist, I've been asked this question a lot! When folks are going through something difficult or they've just discovered something about themselves or someone else, it's only natural to want to find out more and understand.
While a book may not be the end-all-be-all solution to life's problems, I know I've read a few over the years that have left a lasting impact on the person I am now; my confidence, my outlook on life, my relationships, my parenting and so much more. For the sake of efficiency, I've decided to break down my list of book recommendations into themes.
Today's theme is Mindfulness. Far more than just a wellness buzz-word, Mindfulness has its origins in Eastern philosophies that date back thousands of years. I won't lie, I was once skeptical of it myself! I used to roll my eyes at the suggestion of a breathing exercise, even when I was Masters of Counselling and Spirituality student. Little did I know; a seed was planted then. Over the years, my understanding of mindfulness grew through the practice of yoga (unexpectedly at the time - but I'll save that for another article), professional training and... these books.
So, without further ado, here are some of the best books I've read on Mindfulness (in no particular order!):
1. The Mindful Way Through Depression by J. Mark G. Williams
A practical, down-to-earth and easy-to-understand explanation of both depression and the practice of mindfulness. This book not only helps you understand how our minds come to develop and perpetuate depressive symptoms; it also explains what mindfulness is and how it can help you overcome unhelpful thought patterns. The book also comes with a link and CD to recorded exercise that you can practice.
2. Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
This book cemented my interest in mindfulness. The author is a self-proclaimed cynical skeptic who long doubted the validity of mindfulness and meditation. This book takes a deep dive into the origins and practical applications of mindfulness. It's witty and informative; suitable for and appealing to all levels of openness and curiosity to the concept of mindfulness.
3. The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh is a Buddhist monk and Vietnamese refugee who has written many books on Mindfulness. His writing style is simple yet profound, relatable yet whimsical. This book is short and easily finished in a day or two; great for people with little time to read!
4. Mindful Eating: A Guide to Rediscovering a Healthy and Joyful Relationship With Food by Jan Chozen Bays, foreword by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
This book had it all: Warmth, empowering and practical exercises, wisdom and knowledge that lead to several insights about my relationship to food and eating. This book walks you through some helpful practices and talks about the different types of hunger and how to fulfill them. The title really says it all!
Stay tuned: We'll be posting our next reading recommendations list soon. You can look forward to topics suchs as Emotions, Relationships, Parenting, Therapy and more.
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