Mindfulness Everyday's Bookstore - Heidi's Picks

Mindfulness Everyday Bookstore: Heidi's Picks

This curated list of resources is the result of over a decade of providing mindfulness programs in educational and community settings. It reflects the content of our own personal library and offers a diversity of approaches – there is no one size fits all in mindfulness.

 

We encourage those on the journey to investigate for themselves what resonates, and what resources they can use with confidence and authenticity. ~ Heidi Bornstein & Stephen Chadwick, founders, Mindfulness Everyday.

 

Mindfulness Everyday is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.ca and Amazon.com. This means that if a reader clicks on text or an image, mindfulnesseveryday.org may receive a commission from purchases. There is no additional cost to you — it helps pay for scholarships for educators who need financial support for our training programs.

 

 



Richard Wagamese


Eline Snel: author and mindfulness teacher


Stephanie Cheung


Resources about Trees and Nature

Past Facilitator Picks

Listening to My Body by Gabi Garci "I love this book so much, it teaches children and adults to put words to our bodily sensations. It's filled with practical practices and helps us build our vocabulary to better describe what we're feeling in our bodies. This way, as is mentioned in the book, we can care and respond to ourselves with kindness." ~Triti Namiranian, SMART Facilitator
Can't Stop Thinking: How to Let Go of Anxiety and Free Yourself from Obsessive Rumination by Nancy Colier "In this book, Colier explains how to use mindfulness to dis-identify with our thoughts and realize we are not our thoughts. Once we understand that we are the awareness within which our thoughts appear, we can use patience and kindness to find peace in the present moment." ~Helen Gault, SMART Facilitator
Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations Paperback by Richard Wagames "This is a book of short meditations/poems that provide me with hope and inspiration each time I read them. The images in the book are also filled with a sense of peace and a connection to the greater world around me. This is a book I turn to often and would highly recommend." ~Daphne Marsella, SMART Facilitator

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese

"This novel by remarkable Ojibway author Richard Wagmese, reflects on the life of a residential school survivor in Ontario. Both the book and the movie by Clint Eastwood (which Richard Wagamense consulted on) are difficult to read and to watch, and yet so important for every Canadian to read/see. The impact of generational trauma, abuse and racism are described in a way that explains how these affect the survivors, and the family of survivors today. Appropriate for the sadness of the times now." ~ Heidi Bornstein, Founder, Mindfulness Everyday
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor "I found James Nestor’s book “Breath” enthralling, much to my surprise because it is, after all, a book about breathing, something most of us do unconsciously and take for granted. But it was actually a page turner! Who knew the way we breathe could be so fascinating. I am now convinced that the way we breathe is the single most important thing we can do for our health and longevity. Spoiler alert: Long slow even inhales and exhales through the nose is critical to our well being, emotionally and physically." ~Natalia Fister, Mindful Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle "Just because it shows us how the present moment is all we really have.  I also really like Mindfulness for Creativity to adapt, create and thrive in a frantic world. It’s a great book for beginning with mindfulness and learning to gradually increase the length of meditations." ~Julia Neilson. SMART Facilitator

True Love by Tich Nhat Hanh

"True Love is a simple, timeless, and warm guide that helps explore key aspects of love - loving kindness, compassion, joy, freedom - in our day to day lives, and see love in its larger dimension.  In his poetic way, Nhat Hanh begins with the importance of being fully present with ourselves and with others, offers a series of practices in learning how to be mindful and open, and guides us through invaluable ways of practicing authentic love."~ Maryclaire Odorico, SMART Facilitator

Good morning, I love you by Dr. Shauna Shapiro

"My current favourite new mindfulness book is "Good morning, I love you" by Dr. Shauna Shapiro, one of the leading scientists studying mindfulness. She offers insight and practices on rewiring our brains for increased positivity, calm, clarity and joy. In the second half of the book, Shapiro explains why kindness and self-compassion are key. Each of the chapters ends with a summary of the main points as well as practices. Her writing style is informal, personal and clear. I have led a group of educators in a book study of this book. Everyone loved it and said that they felt great benefit, insight and knowledge from it." ~Carla Waites, SMART Faciitator

Awake in the Wild: Mindfulness in Nature as a Path of Self-Discovery by Mark Coleman "This book combines my love of all things natural with mindfulness. It is divided into four sections: Awakening to Nature, Uniting Inner and Outer Wilderness, Emerging into our True Potential and Tapping into the Sacred. Each section has teaching and meditations to help explain and immerse you in the topic. Discussions include how to reconnect our "ability, sensitivity and skill to listen, feel and sense the natural world." ~ Helen Gault, SMART Faciltiator
The Places That Scare You by Pema Chodron

"An American turned Buddhist nun and celebrated teacher, Pema Chodran combines her wisdom and decades of practice with a fantastic sense of humour and relatable storytelling.

The first book I was introduced to was The Places That Scare You.  In The Places That Scare You, Pema invites us to cultivate an ability to stay with difficult emotions so that we might experience them fully. There's a liberation from fear and unproductive patterns that is available as we learn to be with our own suffering, as opposed to habitually turning away. The author explains how we can walk through the middle of difficulty and meet joy on the other side. I highly recommend it to those who thirst for the "next level" in their mindfulness practice." Angela Scott, MBSR, SMART Facililitor

Can't Stop Thinking - How to Let Go of Anxiety and Free Yourself from Obsessive Rumination by Nancy Colier In this book, Colier explains how to use mindfulness to dis-identify with our thoughts and realize we are not our thoughts. Once we understand that we are the awareness within which our thoughts appear, we can use patience and kindness to find peace in the present moment. ~ Helen Gault, SMART Faciltiator
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn One of my very favourite books on mindfulness would have to be “Wherever you go, There you are” by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It is one of the first books I read (received as a gift from a dear friend and mentor). This book is a beautiful gem, a meditation in itself, and a delight to read...and one I revisit over and over again. For its simple practices, the stories and quotes that are embedded, and the explanations of the heart of mindfulness philosophy and practice. You'll want this as a hard copy and will return to it over and over, just like your practice. ~Dr. Ameeta Dudani, Clinical and School Psychologist, SMART Facilitator, Yoga Teacher
The Book of Forgiving by Desmond and Mpho Tutu Out of the many books I would love to mention, there is one that stands out for me: Desmond and Mpho Tutu’s The Book of Forgiving. Forgiveness is huge, highly complex, and often misunderstood. It requires some unlearning before we can tap into the process of forgiveness that frees our hearts. It is through forgiveness--self-forgiveness--that our lives become more liberated, that we are truly able to move on with a more open, wise heart. Forgiveness launches us on the path of our heart. ~Markus Bohlmann, Mindful Self-Compassion Facilitator
What Happened To You by Dr. Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey

Dr. Perry explains the "privilege of curiosity..." when growing up in a safe and protected environment and most current research on trauma-informed therapy. Oprah shares how she's overcome her tendency to be a 'people please'.
He and Oprah share case after case demonstrating the importance of trauma-informed guidance by parents, teachers, therapists, etc. His research shows how important the first three months of an infant's life is to their worldview as they grow and develop. I give it 2 thumbs up! ~ Deb Taylor, SMART Facilitator, Mindfulness Teacher

The Little Book of Mindfulness by Dr. Patrizia Collard

From "The little book of mindfulness" by Dr. Patrizia Collard:

"By reconnecting with these simple moments in life, by truly living moment by moment, it is possible to rediscover a sense of peace and enJoyment. We may, at least sometimes, feel once again truly enchanted with life." ~ Moyra Bell, SMART Faciltiator, Mindfulness Teacher
Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson This is another one because the science behind what we do was needed for me to fully ‘buy in’. I have to admit though that I didn’t read every word. ~ Christie Hutchison
10% Happier by Dan Harris I like 10% Happier by Dan Harris because it's funny and eminently readable.  It's written by a guy who was a real mindfulness sceptic. Despite his skepticism he found himself really benefiting from mindfulness practice. It goes to show that even a person with a very busy mind and limited attention span can learn to meditate, be calmer, less reactive and 10% or more happier. ~ Naomi Nurgitz, MBSR, SMART and Mindfulness Facilitator
PUPPY MIND By Andrew Jordan Nance

(Educator and Founder of Mindful Arts San Fransisco)
Illustrated By: Jim Durk
(Illustrator of Clifford - The Big Red Dog)

 

This book has simple and vibrant illustrations and offers the opportunity to relate to the content being shared in the story. Not to mention a super cute puppy...who doesn't like puppies...right?  The text is easy to follow and allows for rich follow up discussions with any age group with regards to concepts of mindfulness.

NOTE: I have attached a link below with the author reading the book - 16 min. (This link follows copyright guidelines).

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iflb9bIs2xA&ab_channel=AndrewJordanNance
~ Reg Raju, Mindful Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness Facilitator

Fostering Mindfulness by Shelley Murphy This practical approach to sharing mindfulness with elementary students is a great addition to a teacher’s repertoire. Shelly Murphy provides a background to mindfulness in a secular school context and emphasizes the importance of teacher wellbeing. These strategies help teachers and students to co-create a mindful and compassionate learning community. ~Theresa Meikle, Mindfulness Teacher
Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg As the famous lyrics go, “What the world needs now, is love sweet love.” These lyrics have always struck a chord with me, and so does this inspiring book. This book will teach you the Buddhist practice of loving-kindness (metta), through the guidance of Sharon Salzberg, which will hopefully help bring more love, compassion and joy to yourself, others and the world around you. ~Rena Chadwick, SMART Facilitator, Yoga Teacher

Past Picks