The Mindful Maker: Books to Inspire Your Clay Practice
Shopping at your local bookstore keeps money in your community, supports passionate booksellers, and helps independent shops thrive. If shopping for these titles, we recommend our neighbors and local bookstore: Libelula, they can special order these titles for you.
Working with Clay may be a solitary practice, but when searching for inspiration, we often turn to others for their wisdom and experience. At Tao of Clay we know how important that is. That’s because clay is more than just a medium—it’s a philosophy, and a reflection of the way we engage with the world. The process of working with clay encourages patience, presence, and a deep connection to our hands and minds.
When deepening your relationship with clay and mindfulness we recommend this curated list of books that explore the intersection of mindfulness, creativity, and clay.
Whether you’re seeking philosophical insight, practical guidance, or artistic inspiration, these books offer valuable perspectives that can enrich your practice.
Taoism & Hakomi: The Art of Presence
The philosophy of Taoism emphasizes balance, flow, and surrender—principles that align with our clay practice. Similarly, Hakomi, a mindfulness-based somatic therapy, encourages awareness of the body’s wisdom and a compassionate approach to self-discovery. These books provide insight into these philosophies:
The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff
A lighthearted yet profound introduction to Taoist principles, told through the lens of Winnie the Pooh’s simple and wise approach to life.Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age – John Heider
This adaptation of the Tao Te Ching focuses on leadership, but its lessons on balance, humility, and trust apply beautifully to the creative process.The Way of Life, According to Lao Tzu – Translated by Witter Bynner
A poetic and classical translation of the Tao Te Ching that captures the gentle wisdom of Lao Tzu’s teachings.Tao Te Ching – Lao Tzu, Translated by Stephen Mitchell
One of the most beloved modern translations of the Tao Te Ching, offering accessible and elegant interpretations of its timeless verses.Grace Unfolding – Greg Johanson and Ron Kurtz
A deep dive into the Hakomi method and how its roots in Taoist philosophy can support a mindful, body-centered approach to personal growth.Body-Centered Psychotherapy: The Hakomi Method – Ron Kurtz
Explores the relationship between mindfulness, somatics, and emotional healing, offering insights that can deepen the way we engage with both our bodies and our craft.
Self-Development: Cultivating Mindfulness in Practice
The process of working with clay can help us further cultivate our mindfulness practice. These books encourage presence, and a deeper appreciation for the moment-to-moment experience of creating, both in life and in clay.
Centering – MC Richards
A profound meditation on the relationship between art, life, and the creative process. Richards, a poet and potter, offers reflections on how centering in clay mirrors centering in life.The Miracle of Mindfulness – Thich Nhat Hanh
A foundational text on mindfulness, offering simple yet powerful techniques to cultivate presence and awareness in everyday life and creative work.Peace Is Every Step – Thich Nhat Hanh
An inspiring and practical guide to incorporating mindfulness into every aspect of life, from walking to working with our hands in clay.Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening – Joseph Goldstein
A deep exploration of mindfulness as a path to self-awareness and transformation, offering practical applications that can enhance any artistic practice.The Precious Present – Spencer Johnson
A simple yet profound parable about the power of being fully present, a lesson that resonates deeply in both mindfulness and ceramics.Taming Your Gremlin: A Guide to Enjoying Yourself – Richard D. Carson
A playful and accessible introduction to self-awareness, teaching us how to quiet the inner critic and embrace the creative process with ease.
Ceramics: Wisdom from The Clay Masters
For those looking to deepen their technical skills and historical knowledge, these books offer a window into the world of ceramics, glaze chemistry, and the lives of master ceramicists.
Shoji Hamada: A Potter’s Way and Work – Susan Peterson
An intimate look into the life and philosophy of Shoji Hamada, one of the most influential potters of the 20th century.The Ceramic Spectrum: A Simplified Approach to Glaze & Color Development – Robin Hopper
A must-read for those interested in glaze chemistry, offering a practical and visually rich guide to developing unique ceramic surfaces.The Japanese Pottery Handbook – Penny Simpson, Lucy Kitto, and Kanji Sodeoka
A comprehensive overview of traditional Japanese pottery techniques, tools, and philosophy.Clay’s Tectonic Shift: John Mason, Ken Price, Peter Voulkos
A fascinating look at the major ceramic artists of the 20th century and their impact on contemporary ceramics.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are three of Josh’s personal favorites:
