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The Mindful Stoic YouTube channel

Watch our deep-dive videos, listenable versions of

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and top-rated books on

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supported. If you enjoy our

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Introducing

The Pursuit of Balance Podcast

Click here for a free trial

The Mindful Stoic YouTube channel

Watch our deep-dive videos,

listenable versions of our articles,

and dozens of short book summaries.

Click here to watch on YouTube

Welcome to our curated collection of books on mindfulness and Stoicism. Here you’ll find: 

  • Top-rated books: We aim to maintain a high bar for quality. All the books had a reader rating of at least 4.5 stars out of 5 at the time they were added to this page.

  • The latest: We’re constantly scanning the web to keep this page updated with the latest books on mindfulness and Stoicism.

  • Deals: When there’s a great deal on a book, you’ll find it on this page.

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Click the links below to navigate to specific sections or keep scrolling to explore the whole collection:

  1. The 4 top rated books
  2. Coming soon – Be the first to pre-order these anticipated titles
  3. Bestselling books
  4. Click here to watch our latest book summary video on YouTube.

 

The 4 top rated books from our collection

Books on mindfulness - No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh

No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges that because suffering can feel so bad, we try to run away from it or cover it up by consuming. We find something to eat or turn on the television. But unless we’re able to face our suffering, we can’t be present and available to life, and happiness will continue to elude us. Nhat Hanh shares how the practices of stopping, mindful breathing, and deep concentration can generate the energy of mindfulness within our daily lives.

Meditations: A New Translation by Marcus Aurelius

Few ancient works have been as influential as the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, philosopher and emperor of Rome (A.D. 161–180). A series of spiritual exercises filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. Marcus’s insights and advice—on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others—have made the Meditations required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism.

Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holiday

Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday

In The Obstacle Is the Way and Ego Is the Enemy, best-selling author Ryan Holiday made ancient wisdom wildly popular with a new generation of leaders in sports, politics, and technology. In his new book, Stillness Is the Key, Holiday draws on timeless Stoic and Buddhist philosophy to show why slowing down is the secret weapon for those charging ahead. All great leaders, thinkers, artists, athletes, and visionaries share one indelible quality. It enables them to conquer their tempers. To avoid distraction and discover great insights.

The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield

The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology by Jack Kornfield

You have within you unlimited capacities for extraordinary love, for joy, for communion with life, and for unshakable freedom—and here is how to awaken them. In The Wise Heart, celebrated author and psychologist Jack Kornfield offers the most accessible, comprehensive, and illuminating guide to Buddhist psychology ever published in the West.

New and coming soon

When Things Don't Go Your Way by Haemin Sunim

When Things Don’t Go Your Way: Zen Wisdom for Difficult Times by Haemin Sunim

Drawing on Zen Buddhist philosophy and Sunim’s own experiences, When Things Don’t Go Your Way helps you navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace. Whether you’re dealing with rejection, uncertainty, loneliness, conflicts in relationships, or burnout—or simply seeking to improve your mental and emotional well-being—Sunim offers a new spiritual perspective, one that helps us face life’s challenges with greater ease and understanding, and offers solace and courage when we need it the most.

Right Thing, Right Now Good Values. Good Character. Good Deeds by Ryan Holiday

Right Thing, Right Now Good Values. Good Character. Good Deeds by Ryan Holiday

In Right Thing. Right Now., Holiday draws on fascinating stories of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Jimmy Carter, Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass, whose examples of kindness, honesty, integrity, and loyalty we can emulate as pillars of upright living. Through the lives of these role models, readers learn the transformational power of living by a moral code and, through the cautionary tales of unjust leaders, the consequences of an ill-formed conscience.

Breathe How You Want to Feel Your Breathing Tool Kit for Better Health, Restorative Sleep, and Deeper Connection by Matteo Pistono

Breathe How You Want to Feel: Your Breathing Tool Kit for Better Health, Restorative Sleep, and Deeper Connection

Too often books on breathing and breathwork coaches do not teach the actual mechanics of breathing. Instead, they guide one-off sessions, teach protocols, or direct you to an app. The consequence of just following a protocol without understanding breathing mechanics leaves the student disempowered and dependent on the teacher. Instead, in Breathe How You Want to Feel, learning functional breathing becomes the basis upon which you gain control of your well-being—it’s the secret tool behind resiliency.

Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor by Donald J. Robertson

Marcus Aurelius struggled to reconcile his philosophy and moral values with the political pressures he faced as emperor at the height of Roman power. Robertson examines Marcus’s attitude toward slavery and the moral dilemma posed by capturing enemies in warfare; his attitude toward women; the role of Stoicism in shaping his response to the threat of civil war; the treatment of Christians under his rule; and the naming of his notorious son Commodus as his successor. 

Bestselling books

The Miracle Of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh

In this beautiful and lucid guide, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means of learning the skills of mindfulness—being awake and fully aware. From washing the dishes to answering the phone to peeling an orange, he reminds us that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness. 

Breath by James Nestor

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: Take air in, let it out, repeat 25,000 times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences. Journalist James Nestor travels the world to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. The answers aren’t found in pulmonology labs, as we might expect, but in the muddy digs of ancient burial sites, secret Soviet facilities, New Jersey choir schools, and the smoggy streets of São Paulo.

Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Warmth, humor, anecdotes, and poems make up this inspirational guide to a revolutionary new way of being, seeing, and living. Exploring principles and practices of mindfulness, Dr. Kabat Zinn has taught this two thousand year old Buddhist method of relaxation to thousands. Learn how to capture the present, to live fully in the moment and reduce anxiety, achieve inner peace, and enrich the quality of life. Let this be your guide to mindfulness meditation in everyday life. This is one of the best books on meditation and mindfulness.

Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Based on Jon Kabat-Zinn’s renowned mindfulness-based stress reduction program, this classic, groundbreaking work—which gave rise to a whole new field in medicine and psychology—shows you how to use medically proven mind-body approaches derived from meditation and yoga to counteract stress, establish greater balance of body and mind, and stimulate well-being and healing. This is one of our highly recommended books on mindfulness. 

The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday

The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday

We are stuck, stymied, frustrated. But it needn't be this way. There is a formula for success that's been followed by the icons of history—from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs—a formula that let them turn obstacles into opportunities. Faced with impossible situations, they found the astounding triumphs we all seek. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism.

Meditations: A New Translation by Marcus Aurelius

Few ancient works have been as influential as the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, philosopher and emperor of Rome (A.D. 161–180). A series of spiritual exercises filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. Marcus’s insights and advice—on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others—have made the Meditations required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism.

Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday

Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday

Many of us insist the main impediment to a full, successful life is the outside world. In fact, the most common enemy lies within: our ego. Early in our careers, it impedes learning and the cultivation of talent. With success, it can blind us to our faults and sow future problems. In failure, it magnifies each blow and makes recovery more difficult. At every stage, ego holds us back. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism.

Do Hard Things by Steve Magness

Do Hard Things by Steve Magness

Steve Magness, a performance scientist who coaches Olympic athletes, now offers a new kind of toughness—real toughness—that can help anyone navigate adversity and challenge. Grounded in the latest sports science and psychology, real toughness is about paying attention to your physiological, emotional, and psychological responses (from pain to anger) and working with them to overcome a challenge. Real toughness works with our biology and psychology; fake toughness fights against them.

Peak Mind by Amishi P. Jha

Peak Mind by Amishi Jha

Acclaimed neuroscientist Dr Amishi Jha has dedicated her life's work to understanding the science of attention at every level - from brain-imaging studies in the lab to field testing soldiers, firefighters and athletes. Her mission has been to scientifically determine how we can harness the full power of our attention to better meet all that life demands. In Peak Mind, Dr Jha expertly guides listeners through fascinating research, debunking common assumptions about focus and attention, and offers remarkably easy-to-adapt flexible 12-minute-a-day exercises to lift the mental fog, declutter the mind and strengthen focus so that you can experience more of your life.

Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach

Writing with great warmth and clarity, Tara Brach brings her teachings alive through personal stories and case histories, fresh interpretations of Buddhist tales, and guided meditations. Step by step, she leads us to trust our innate goodness, showing how we can develop the balance of clear-sightedness and compassion that is the essence of Radical Acceptance. This is one of the best books on modern Buddhism.

Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright

Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment by Robert Wright

In Why Buddhism Is True, Wright leads listeners on a journey through psychology, philosophy, and a great many silent retreats to show how and why meditation can serve as the foundation for a spiritual life in a secular age. At once excitingly ambitious and wittily accessible, this is the first book to combine evolutionary psychology with cutting-edge neuroscience to defend the radical claims at the heart of Buddhist philosophy. This is one of the best books on Buddhism and modern psychology.

Books on mindfulness - No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh

No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges that because suffering can feel so bad, we try to run away from it or cover it up by consuming. We find something to eat or turn on the television. But unless we’re able to face our suffering, we can’t be present and available to life, and happiness will continue to elude us. Nhat Hanh shares how the practices of stopping, mindful breathing, and deep concentration can generate the energy of mindfulness within our daily lives. 

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman

The Daily Stoic offers 366 days of Stoic insights and exercises, featuring all-new translations from the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright Seneca, or slave-turned-philosopher Epictetus, as well as lesser-known luminaries like Zeno, Cleanthes, and Musonius Rufus. Every day of the year you'll find one of their pithy, powerful quotations, as well as historical anecdotes, provocative commentary, and a helpful glossary of Greek terms. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism for beginners.

Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holiday

Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday

In The Obstacle Is the Way and Ego Is the Enemy, best-selling author Ryan Holiday made ancient wisdom wildly popular with a new generation of leaders in sports, politics, and technology. In his new book, Stillness Is the Key, Holiday draws on timeless Stoic and Buddhist philosophy to show why slowing down is the secret weapon for those charging ahead. All great leaders, thinkers, artists, athletes, and visionaries share one indelible quality. It enables them to conquer their tempers. To avoid distraction and discover great insights.

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Internationally renowned psychiatrist, Viktor E. Frankl, endured years of unspeakable horror in Nazi death camps. During, and partly because of, his suffering, Dr. Frankl developed a revolutionary approach to psychotherapy known as logotherapy. At the core of his theory is the belief that man's primary motivational force is his search for meaning.

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Roberston

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald J. Robertson

In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, cognitive psychotherapist Donald Robertson weaves the life and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius together seamlessly to provide a compelling modern-day guide to the Stoic wisdom followed by countless individuals throughout the centuries as a path to achieving greater fulfillment and emotional resilience. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism.

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The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh - books on mindfulness

The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh

In this precise and practical guide, Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh reveals how to listen mindfully and express your fullest and most authentic self. With examples from his work with couples, families, and international conflicts, The Art of Communicating helps us move beyond the perils and frustrations of misrepresentation and misunderstanding to learn the listening and speaking skills that will forever change how we experience and impact the world. This is one of our highly recommended books on mindfulness.

Practicing Mindfulness by Matthew Sockolov

Practicing Mindfulness by Matthew Sockolov 

From finding focus with a five-minute The Power of the Mind exercise to embracing the experience with a 25-minute Open-Awareness Meditation, Practicing Mindfulness provides the tools you need to relieve stress, improve wellness, and practice peace of mind moment to moment and throughout the daily grind.

Zen And The Art Of Saving The Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh

Mindfulness and the radical insights of Zen meditation can give us the strength and clarity we need to help create a regenerative world in which all life is respected. Filled with Thich Nhat Hanh’s inspiring meditations, Zen stories and experiences from his own activism, as well as commentary from Sister True Dedication, one of his students Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet shows us a new way of seeing and living that can bring healing and harmony to ourselves, our relationships, and the Earth. 

Zen Mind Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki 

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few. So begins this most beloved of all American Zen works. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as this famous opening line of Shunryu Suzuki's classic. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it's all about. An instant teaching in the first minutes. 

The Daily Stoic Journal by Ryan Holiday

The Daily Stoic Journal by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman

Created with a durable, Smyth-sewn binding and featuring a helpful introduction explaining the various Stoic tools of self-management, as well as resources for further reading, this is a lasting companion volume for people who already love The Daily Stoic and its popular daily emails and social media accounts. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism.

In Order To Live by Yeonmi Park

In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park

In In Order to Live, Yeonmi Park shines a light not just into the darkest corners of life in North Korea, describing the deprivation and deception she endured and which millions of North Korean people continue to endure to this day, but also onto her own most painful and difficult memories. She tells with bravery and dignity for the first time the story of how she and her mother were betrayed and sold into sexual slavery in China and forced to suffer terrible psychological and physical hardship before they finally made their way to Seoul, South Korea—and to freedom.

Epictetus Discourses and Selected Writings

Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus

Despite being born into slavery, Greco-Roman philosopher Epictetus became one of the most influential thinkers of his time. Discourses and Selected Writings is a transcribed collection of informal lectures given by the philosopher around AD 108. A gateway into the life and mind of a great intellectual, it is also an important example of the usage of Koine or “common” Greek, an ancestor to Standard Modern Greek.

A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine

One of the great fears many of us face is that despite all our effort and striving, we will discover at the end that we have wasted our life. In A Guide to the Good Life, William B. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of Stoic philosophy, one of the most popular and successful schools of thought in ancient Rome, and shows how its insight and advice are still remarkably applicable to modern lives. This is one of the best books on Stoicism for beginners.

Neurodharma by Rick Hanson

Neurodharma by Rick Hanson

In Neurodharma, the follow-up to his classic Buddha’s Brain, New York Times best-selling author Rick Hanson, PhD, not only explores the new neuroscience of awakening, but also offers a bold yet plausible plan for reverse-engineering peak experiences, sense of oneness, and even enlightenment itself. And he does so with his trademark blend of solid science and warm encouragement, guiding you along this high-reaching path with good humor, accessible tools, and personal examples. This is one of the best books on Buddhism and modern psychology.

Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman

Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson 

In the last twenty years, meditation and mindfulness have gone from being kind of cool to becoming an omnipresent Band-Aid for fixing everything from your weight to your relationship to your achievement level. Unveiling here the kind of cutting-edge research that has made them giants in their fields, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson show us the truth about what meditation can really do for us, as well as exactly how to get the most out of it. 

The Nature Fix by Florence Williams

The Nature Fix by Florence Williams

For centuries, poets and philosophers extolled the benefits of a walk in the woods: Beethoven drew inspiration from rocks and trees; Wordsworth composed while tromping over the heath; Nikola Tesla conceived the electric motor while visiting a park. Intrigued by our storied renewal in the natural world, Florence Williams sets out to uncover the science behind nature's positive effects on the brain. From forest trails in Korea to islands in Finland to groves of eucalyptus in California, Williams investigates the science at the confluence of environment, mood, health, and creativity. Delving into completely new research, she uncovers the powers of the natural world to improve health, promote reflection and innovation, and ultimately strengthen our relationships. 

You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh

You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment by Thich Nhat Hanh

Based on a retreat that Thich Nhat Hanh led for Westerners, You Are Here offers a range of effective practices for cultivating mindfulness and staying in the present moment—including awareness of breathing and walking, deep listening, and skillful speech. These teachings will empower you to witness the wonder of life and transform your suffering, both within and outside you, into compassion, tenderness, and peace. This is one of the best books on mindfulness.

Lives Of The Stoics by Ryan Holiday

Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman

In Lives of the Stoics, Holiday and Hanselman present the fascinating lives of the men and women who strove to live by the timeless Stoic virtues of Courage. Justice. Temperance. Wisdom. Organized in digestible, mini-biographies of all the well-known—and not so well-known—Stoics, this book vividly brings home what Stoicism was like for the people who loved it and lived it, dusting off powerful lessons to be learned from their struggles and successes.

The Beginner's Guide to Stoicism by Matthew Van Natta

The Beginner's Guide to Stoicism by Matthew Van Natta

This easy-to-navigate Stoicism guide gives you the emotional tools needed to let go of the things you can’t control and find joy in what you have. Through thought-provoking strategies and exercises, this book helps you find contentment so you can build closer relationships and become an active member of society. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism for beginners.

Verissimus by Donald Roberston

Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius by Donald J. Robertson

Marcus Aurelius was the last famous Stoic of antiquity but he was also to become the most powerful man in the known world—the Roman emperor. After losing his father at an early age, he threw himself into the study of philosophy. The closest thing history knew to a philosopher-king, yet constant warfare and an accursed plague almost brought his empire to its knees. The remarkable story of Marcus Aurelius’ life and philosophical journey is brought to life by philosopher and psychotherapist Donald J. Robertson, in a sweeping historical epic of a graphic novel, based on a close study of the historical evidence, with the stunning full-color artwork of award-winning illustrator Zé Nuno Fraga.

How To Be A Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci

How to Be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci 

Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism.

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Real Change by Sharon Salzberg.

Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World by Sharon Salzberg

In Real Change, Sharon Salzberg, a leading expert in loving-kindness meditation, shares sage advice and indispensable techniques to help free ourselves from these negative feelings and actions. She teaches us that meditation is not a replacement for action, but rather a way to practice generosity with ourselves and summon the courage to break through boundaries, reconnect to a movement that's bigger than ourselves, and have the energy to stay active.

Resilient by Rick Hanson

Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness by Rick Hanson

With his trademark blend of neuroscience, mindfulness, and positive psychology, New York Times bestselling author Dr. Rick Hanson shows you how to develop twelve vital inner strengths hardwired into your own nervous system. Then no matter what life throws at you, you’ll be able to feel less stressed, pursue opportunities with confidence, and stay calm and centered in the face of adversity. 

Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how to make positive use of the very situations that usually pressure and antagonize us. For him a ringing telephone can be a signal to call us back to our true selves. Dirty dishes, red lights, and traffic jams are spiritual friends on the path to “mindfulness”—the process of keeping our consciousness alive to our present experience and reality. The most profound satisfactions, the deepest feelings of joy and completeness lie as close at hand as our next aware breath and the smile we can form right now. This is one of the best books on mindfulness.

The Practice of Groundedness by Brad Stulberg

The Practice of Groundedness by Brad Stulberg

In The Practice of Groundedness, bestselling author Brad Stulberg offers a path from which peak performance and well-being and fulfillment can emerge and prevail for a lifetime. At the heart of this model is groundedness—a practice that values presence over rote productivity, accepts that progress is nonlinear, and prioritizes long-term values and fulfillment over short-term gain. To be grounded is to possess a firm and unwavering foundation, an internal strength and self-confidence that sustains you through ups and downs  and from which deep and enduring success can be found. Groundedness does not eliminate ambition and striving; rather, it situates these qualities and channels them in more meaningful ways.

Yes to Life by Viktor Frankl

Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything by Viktor E. Frankl

Published here for the very first time in English, Frankl’s words resonate as strongly today—as the world faces a coronavirus pandemic, social isolation, and great economic uncertainty—as they did in 1946. He offers an insightful exploration of the maxim “Live as if you were living for the second time,” and he unfolds his basic conviction that every crisis contains opportunity.

The Practicing Stoic by Ward Farnsworth

The Practicing Stoic by Ward Farnsworth

See more clearly, live more wisely, and bear the burdens of this life with greater ease―here are the greatest insights of the Stoics, in their own words. Presented in twelve lessons, Ward Farnsworth systematically presents the heart of Stoic philosophy accompanied by commentary that is clear and concise. A foundational idea to Stoicism is that we appear to go through life reacting directly to events. That appearance is an illusion. We react to our judgments and opinions―to our thoughts about things, not to things themselves. Stoics seek to become conscious of those judgments, to find the irrationality in them, and to choose them more carefully.

Art of Living by Epictetus

Art of Living by Epictetus

Epictetus was born into slavery about 55 ce in the eastern outreaches of the Roman Empire. Once freed, he established an influential school of Stoic philosophy, stressing that human beings cannot control life, only their responses to it. By putting into practice the ninety-three witty, wise, and razor-sharp instructions that make up The Art of Living, readers learn to meet the challenges of everyday life successfully and to face life's inevitable losses and disappointments with grace. This is one of our highly recommended books on Stoicism.

A Handbook for New Stoics by Massimo Pigliucci

A Handbook for New Stoics by Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez

Stress often comes from situations that are beyond our control—such as preparing for a meeting, waiting for test results, or arguing with a loved one. But we can control our response to these everyday tensions—through the wisdom and practice of Stoicism.  In A Handbook for New Stoics, renowned philosopher Massimo Pigliucci and seasoned practitioner Gregory Lopez provide 52 week-by-week lessons to help us apply timeless Stoic teachings to modern life. This is one of the best books on modern Stoicism.

Taming the Tiger Within by Thich Nhat Hanh

Taming the Tiger Within by Thich Nhat Hanh

Taming the Tiger Within is a handbook of meditations, analogies, and reflections that offer pragmatic techniques for diffusing anger, converting fear, and cultivating love in every arena of life-a wise and exquisite guide for bringing harmony and healing to one's life and relationships.

Acclaimed scholar, peace activist, and Buddhist master revered by people of all faiths, Thich Nhat Hanh has inspired millions worldwide with his insight into the human heart and mind. Now he focuses his profound spiritual wisdom on the basic human emotions everyone struggles with on a daily basis. 

Ikigai by Héctor García

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai—a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese village with the world’s longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life. Having a strong sense of ikigai—the place where passion, mission, vocation, and profession intersect—means that each day is infused with meaning.

Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Simple Abundance: 365 Days to a Balanced and Joyful Life by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Simple Abundance's powerful messages are needed now more than ever, as we navigate the discord and stress instigated by a constant stream of "breaking news" cycles, and our 24/7 social media culture. Sarah Ban Breathnach has refreshed her best-selling phenomenon to address the needs of a new generation, with her signature candor, wit, and wisdom that made her a trusted and compassionate confidant for millions of women. 

Love And Rage by Lama Rod Owens

Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation through Anger by Lama Rod Owens

White supremacy in the United States has long necessitated that Black rage be suppressed, repressed, or denied, often as a means of survival, a literal matter of life and death. In Love and Rage, Lama Rod Owens, coauthor of Radical Dharma, shows how this unmetabolized anger—and the grief, hurt, and transhistorical trauma beneath it—needs to be explored, respected, and fully embodied to heal from heartbreak and walk the path of liberation. 

The Manual A Philosopher's Guide to Life by Epictetus

The Manual by Epictetus

The Manual is a collection of Epictetus' essential teachings and pithy sayings, compiled by his closest student. It is the most accessible and actionable guide to Stoic philosophy, as relevant today as it was in the Roman Empire. This is one of the best books on Stoicism.

On the Shortness of Life by Seneca

On the Shortness of Life by Seneca

On the Shortness of Life is Seneca's best-known work. It offers piercing and profound insights into human nature, and a vision of the good life, summarized in his aphorism, "Life is long, if you know how to use it." Seneca elucidates many of the principles of modern productivity manuals, including the wise valuing of time.

Courage-Is-Calling-by-Ryan-Holiday

Courage Is Calling by Ryan Holiday

In Courage Is Calling, Ryan Holiday breaks down the elements of fear, an expression of cowardice, the elements of courage, an expression of bravery, and lastly, the elements of heroism, an expression of valor. Through engaging stories about historic and contemporary leaders, including Charles De Gaulle, Florence Nightingale, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Holiday shows you how to conquer fear and practice courage in your daily life.​

A Field Guide to a Happy Life by Massimo Pigliucci

A Field Guide to a Happy Life by Massimo Pigliucci

In A Field Guide to a Happy Life, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers a renewed Stoicism that reflects modern science and sensibilities. Pigliucci embraces the joyful bonds of affection, the satisfactions of a job well done, and the grief that attends loss. In his hands, Stoicism isn't about feats of indifference, but about enduring pain without being overwhelmed, while enjoying pleasures without losing our heads. In short, he makes Stoicism into a philosophy all of us—whether committed Stoics or simply seekers—can use to live better. This is one of the best books on practical Stoicism.

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Silence by Thich Nhat Hanh

Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise by Thich Nhat Hanh

Silence shows us how to find and maintain our equanimity amid the barrage of noise. Thich Nhat Hanh guides us on a path to cultivate calm even in the most chaotic places. This gift of silence doesn't require hours upon hours of silent meditation or an existing practice of any kind. Through careful breathing and mindfulness techniques he teaches us how to become truly present in the moment, to recognize the beauty surrounding us, and to find harmony.

How To Smile by Thich Nhat Hanh

How to Smile by Thich Nhat Hanh

Written with characteristic simplicity and wisdom, these insightful meditations—born from the Zen master’s lifetime of Zen practice and peacemaking—teach us how to come back to ourselves, calm our body and mind, and not let suffering overwhelm us. When we’re willing to face our suffering and look deeply into it, we begin to understand its origins. Transformation and healing become possible, and along with it a greater capacity to understand the suffering of others and resolve conflicts in our relationships. 

Love for Imperfect Things by Haemin Sunim

Love for Imperfect Things by Haemin Sunim

Many of us respond to the pressures of life by turning inward and ignoring problems, sometimes resulting in anxiety or depression. Others react by working harder at the office, at school, or at home, hoping that this will make ourselves and the people we love happier. But what if being yourself is enough? Just as we are advised on airplanes to take our own oxygen first before helping others, we must first be at peace with ourselves before we can be at peace with the world around us. This is one of our highly recommended books on mindfulness.

The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield

The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology by Jack Kornfield

You have within you unlimited capacities for extraordinary love, for joy, for communion with life, and for unshakable freedom—and here is how to awaken them. In The Wise Heart, celebrated author and psychologist Jack Kornfield offers the most accessible, comprehensive, and illuminating guide to Buddhist psychology ever published in the West. This is one of the best books on Buddhism and modern psychology.

More recommended books on Stoicism and mindfulness

 

We hope this selection of recommended books on Stoicism and mindfulness helped you find your next read. Check out these links for even more great books on mindfulness and Stoicism :

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