Phil Jackson hopes to inspire the Knicks with pocket-sized meditation books

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson doesn't operate a book club (that we know about), but the Zen Master has regularly distributed books to his players to enlighten and inspire them.

This year, Jackson gave Knicks players the book "Mindfulness on the Go," according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. It's a pocket-sized manual that contains "simple meditation practices you can do anywhere."

Here's the book's description on Amazon, where it's available for $8.95 or less for a used copy.

"Mindfulness can reduce stress, improve physical health and quality of life, and give you deep insight. Meditation practice is one way to do it, but not the only way. In fact, there are easy ways to fit it into your everyday life. [Author] Jan Chozen Bays provides here 25 practices that can be used on the go to cultivate mindfulness. The three-breath practice, the mindfulness of entering rooms, offering compliments, tasting your food one careful bite at a time--these deceptively simple practices can have a cumulative effect for the better."

Bondy also writes that most of the players he spoke to about the book said they have not read it but did hear a short excerpt that Jackson read when he presented the books.

Meditation works for a lot of people but many find it challenging or frustrating. Simple breathing techniques are another way to curb stress and find some inner peace.

You know what else cures everything? Winning. Winning basketball games and at life.

Porzingod, lead the Knicks to 50 wins and prosperity.