Table of Contents
A Growing List of Books and Other Resources
(Note: I’m still experimenting to find the best way of arranging the information on this page, so there may be some variety in its styles.)
(GB = Google Books. Amz = Amazon. GdRd = GoodReads.)
Meditation
W&S post: Four Ways Our Common Understanding of Meditation Needs to Change
By Sayadaw U Tejaniya
The following two books by Sayadaw U Tejaniya both focus on developing mindful awareness, and the eightfold path, in and for the daily life of a regular person.
When Awareness Becomes Natural: A Guide to Cultivating Mindfulness in Everyday Life
An amazing book for cultivating skillful mindfulness and wisdom in everyday life. It is especially helpful in understanding and developing Skillful Effort. Includes some very personal stories about the author’s own struggles with depression, anxiety, and anger. There is also an audiobook version which is well-read and can be used to get in daily dhamma talks.
Relax and Be Aware: Mindfulness Meditations for Clarity, Confidence, and Wisdom
31 short teachings around different related topics. These are all practical teachings for developing mindfulness, wisdom, and the Eightfold Path in the course of daily life. It also has an introductory section which explains fundamental concepts and principles of practice.
Concerning the Divine Dwellings, or Heavenly Abodes
The four divine dwellings are Loving-Kindness (metta), Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity.
LovingKindness, by Sharon Salzberg
Despite the title, this book is about all four of the divine dwellings, not just Loving-Kindness (metta). It contains detailed practical instruction for the meditation practices, as well as detailed explorations of the nature and value of each of these four intentional qualities.
LovingKindness Meditation, by Sharon Salzberg (audio program)
A three-hour audio program whose content is similar to the book listed above, but somewhat shorter. It gives explanations and meditation instructions regarding each of the four divine dwellings.
Buddhist
About The Eightfold Path Specifically
The Eightfold Path: A Non-Technical Overview
Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness, by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
Excellent and accessible guide to all eight parts of the path, with lots of practical guidance on actually putting the path into practice, and a good amount of clear detail. Written in plain English yet is very accurate. There is also an audiobook version which is well-read and can be used to get in daily dhamma talks.
The Noble Eightfold Path, by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Short but informationally dense, it gives a concise and somewhat detailed summary of the canonical understanding of each part of the path. The language tends to be somewhat scholarly and technical, and it’s very well organized. Not a practical manual, but a great resource for getting a concise and technically precise conceptual understanding of the path.
Psychology
By Pete Walker
Author website: Pete Walker’s professional website
W&S post: Pete Walker’s Five Key Features of Complex PTSD
W&S post Pete Walker’s Four Grieving Processes: Angering, Crying, Verbal Ventilating, and Passively Feeling
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving
Goes into well structured, useful, straightforward detail about how Complex PTSD works, where it typically comes from, and how to recover from it.
Suitable for regular people (non-therapists) who may have Complex PTSD, and for therapists. Written by someone (Pete Walker) who is both.
The Tao of Fully Feeling: Harvesting Forgiveness Out of Blame
Goes into more detail concerning the process of recovery from Complex PTSD. Also recognizes how emotionally truncated modern Western society tends to be, while offering a vision of an emotional life that is full and vibrant.
Described by Walker as a companion book to his Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving.
Resources for the Art of Living 