Elevate Your Reading Experience

Enhancing Reading with Mindfulness

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Read Across America Day  

From the moment we first learned to share our stories with others through the written word, reading has become an essential part of our lives. And on March 2nd, 2023, we have a chance to celebrate this wonderful practice with Read Across America Day. But this year, why not take it a step further and explore how mindfulness practice can help you enjoy books more and elevate your reading experience?

Mindfulness is a practice that encourages us to become better aware of the present moment. This state of being mindful can be used to observe parts of oneself or one’s environment more thoughtfully than someone would usually do in their daily routines. As such, this heightened awareness can lead to improved understanding when engaging with written material such as books, articles, journals, etc. 

 

5 easy practices to elevate your reading experience

  1. Set an intention – take a few moments to think about your purpose for engaging with the book and what you hope to gain from it.
  2. Engage in breath work – this could involve simply taking deep breaths or actively practicing deep breathing techniques such as box breathing or 4-7-8 breathing.
  3. Spend time visualizing – imagine yourself in the world of the book, walking alongside the characters, feeling what they feel, and understanding the plot at a deeper level.
  4. Practice a body scan – start at your toes and gradually work up your body, noticing what happens in each part of the body for a few seconds.
  5. Give gratitude – express gratitude for having access to books that can transport you into different worlds and provide enriching knowledge.

Interested in reading more about mindfulness practice? Check out these recommended titles:

  1. Awakening Joy: 10 Steps That Will Put You On The Road To Real Happiness by James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander
  2. Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation In Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
  3. The Power Of Now: A Guide To Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
  4. A Path With Heart: A Guide Through The Perils And Promises Of Spiritual Life by Jack Kornfield
  5. Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art Of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
  6. Full Catastrophe Living: Using The Wisdom Of Your Body And Mind To Face Stress, Pain, And Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn
  7. The Miracle Of Mindfulness: An Introduction To The Practice Of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh
  8. 10% Happier: How I Tamed The Voice In My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, And Found Self-Help That Actually Works–A True Story by Dan Harris
  9. Real Happiness: The Power Of Meditation by Sharon Salzberg
  10. Waking Up: Searching For Spirituality Without Religion by Sam Harris

 

By incorporating mindfulness into your reading routine and choosing books from this list, you can ensure that your journey through books will be a worthwhile one that supports your personal mindfulness practice.