Everyday Awakening: Five Practices for Living Fully, Feeling Deeply, and Coming into Your Heart and Soul

by Catherine Duncan

“ Everyday Awakening is your road map to living a fully engaged life." —MEL ROBBINS, New York Times bestselling author and host of The Mel Robbins Podcast In a fast-paced, turbulent world, it’s often hard to feel vibrantly alive. Constantly living from our minds has led to overwhelming feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression―often manifesting as chronic health conditions. We’re yearning for more peace, love, meaning, and embodied aliveness. We’re yearning for awakening . Awakening is often portrayed as mysterious, complicated, and dramatic or something that requires traveling to a distant country and sitting at the feet of an enlightened guru. But it’s actually something we can choose to do, by engaging five simple and profound * Coming back to the present moment
* Connecting with something greater
* Growing our trust
* Embodying love
* Holding openness Everyday Awakening integrates the best of spirituality, neuroscience, psychology, and therapy so you can change how you embrace every day, every moment, and every choice. Drawing from decades of her personal and professional experience in healthcare, spiritual care, and complementary healing, Catherine Duncan offers a wealth of options―including breathwork, meditations, grounding rituals, and other exercises―for bringing each of the five practices into your daily life. You will begin to move from stress to presence, from your mind into your heart and soul. Your Everyday Awakening is right in front of you.

184 pages, Hardcover

Published July 11, 2023

Reviews

[Kim Fielden · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review✨

Everyday Awakening by Catherine Duncan
Pub Date: 07/11/23
My rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

I would like to thank @netgalley and Amplify Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read Everyday Awakening in exchange for my honest review.

People, now more than ever in this post-covid world, are searching for peace and striving to live fuller, more balanced lives. Author, Catherine Duncan, presents 5 relatable practices to help you live your most awakened, present life. She provides simple, guided practices such as breathing exercises, meditations, grounding rituals, and other exercises to help you along this journey.

Catherine's work as a hospice chaplain, her masters in theology, and her decades of experience consulting with her patients has helped her compile and hone these practices. I appreciated that this wasn't a God-centered book and people of all faith backgrounds can enjoy this book. If you are on a journey to live more in the present and aren't sure how to start, this is the book for you.

[Sam Wilp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley for an ARC!

Me, and most people I know are all on their own wellness journey and need help focusing on being present. For me, my anxiety results in me struggling to be in the present.

This book was great with giving methods and reflections for grounding myself in the moment and appreciating life.

I also really enjoyed learning about other people’s journeys that the author shared in this book, with difficult circumstances and still learning to ground themselves and be at peace.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the midst of life's frenetic pace and relentless demands, "Everyday Awakening" by Catherine Duncan emerges as a beacon of hope, offering a transformative journey to reclaim vibrancy, peace, and profound aliveness. This book is an invitation to awaken to the beauty of the present moment and to reconnect with the essence of what it means to truly live.

Duncan astutely recognizes that our modern lives are often overshadowed by stress, anxiety, and a constant mental buzz that numbs our senses. The consequence? A profound disconnect from our hearts and souls, often manifesting as chronic health conditions and an overall sense of emptiness. "Everyday Awakening" acknowledges these challenges and offers a path to genuine awakening, one that doesn't require esoteric knowledge or distant travels to ashrams.

The heart of this book lies in its five foundational practices, which, though simple, are profoundly transformative.
— Duncan reminds us that the gateway to awakening is in the here and now. She expertly guides readers to shed the weight of incessant thoughts and distractions, helping them find sanctuary in the present moment.
— In a world often dominated by individualism, Duncan encourages us to embrace the transcendent. She demonstrates how connecting with something greater than ourselves can infuse life with meaning and purpose.
— Trust is the foundation of awakening, and this book beautifully explores how we can nurture this trust within ourselves and with the world around us. It's an essential step towards healing and wholeness.
— Love is not just a sentiment; it's a force that can transform lives. Duncan guides readers towards the embodiment of love, teaching how to cultivate compassion and self-acceptance.
— The practice of holding openness is an antidote to the rigidity that often characterizes our lives. Duncan encourages us to embrace the fluidity of existence, fostering resilience and adaptability.

Duncan's approach is a harmonious fusion of spirituality, neuroscience, psychology, and therapeutic wisdom. She doesn't present awakening as a distant goal but as a choice we can make each day, in every moment, and through every decision. This inclusivity makes her book accessible and relatable to individuals from all walks of life.

Drawing upon her vast experience in healthcare, spiritual care, and complementary healing, Duncan provides readers with a treasure trove of practical exercises and rituals. From breathwork to grounding meditations, these practices can be integrated into daily life. As I engaged with these exercises, I witnessed the shift from the chaos of stress to the serenity of presence, from the confines of the mind to the expansiveness of the heart and soul.

In a world that often leaves us yearning for deeper meaning and connection, "Everyday Awakening" is a guiding light. Catherine Duncan's profound insights, coupled with her accessible practices, reminds us that awakening is not reserved for the few; it's a choice available to all, right here, right now.

“Catherine Duncan's 'Everyday Awakening' is a gentle yet powerful guide to reconnecting with the present moment and living life to its fullest."

"A transformative journey begins with a single step. Catherine Duncan's book provides the roadmap and the motivation for your awakening."

"In 'Everyday Awakening,' Catherine Duncan distills complex wisdom into practical actions, making it accessible to all who seek a deeper connection to life."

"Duncan's five practices are the keys to unlocking a more mindful and fulfilled existence. This book is an essential companion on your path to awakening."

"With 'Everyday Awakening,' Catherine Duncan offers a blueprint for finding inner peace amidst life's chaos. A must-read for those seeking a more meaningful life."

"Duncan's book is a treasure trove of wisdom, combining spirituality, psychology, and practical exercises to help readers awaken to the beauty of the present moment."

"If you're looking for a guide to transform your everyday life, 'Everyday Awakening' by Catherine Duncan is the book to read."

"Catherine Duncan's holistic approach to awakening invites readers to embrace life's fullness with an open heart and a clear mind."

"This book is a beacon of light in our fast-paced world. Catherine Duncan's insights will inspire you to savor each moment and live with purpose."

"In 'Everyday Awakening,' Catherine Duncan invites you to embark on a journey that begins within. It's a roadmap to rediscovering the vibrancy of life."

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes we could all use a gentle, wise, and trusted voice to tell us how best to deal with challenges and be our best selves. Catherine Duncan’s Everyday Awakening guides us through her very relatable stories and step by step exercises. This is a book that I read cover to cover and keep close at hand for when I need its sage counsel.

[Maria Paula Castellanos Monroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that feels like therapy!

This text is not only a guide but also an open letter to all those who deal with anxiety or other disorders that limit the possibility of living in the present moment.

Catherine has an ability to convey peace and tranquillity through words like no other author. Through this text, the healing words of the author, the useful tools proposed, I took the determination to have a meaningful life, to trust myself much more and to maintain a posture of openness for life, love, relationships, money and so on! Only with that first step, I have felt how life has opened me many more possibilities of tranquillity and happiness.

This book is like going to therapy but in an even more intimate way. If you are desperately looking for a tool to improve your emotional well-being and you are looking for a cozy read that will stay with you for a long time, this text is what you are looking for!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy directly from the author, my colleague Rev. Catherine Duncan, who I can assure you walks the talk. In Everyday Awakening, she provides concrete action steps, learned the hard way—from her own near-dear experiences to serving as chaplain in a trauma hospital, where crises and death are all around—we can adopt now to feel more fully alive. “Freedom arises when you understand that you are the master of your mind,” she writes.

Duncan explains complex ideas in accessible ways, including parasympathetic and sympathetic states. Her 5 practices help the reader not only come more alive but to more fully embrace the present moment:

-Coming back to the present moment
-Connecting with something greater
-Growing trust
-Embodying love
-Holding openness

I wish I’d had this book 40 years ago.

[Ben A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a wonderful treat. It is relatable yet inspiring. The authors personal tales are interesting and the methods in which she used to hardship in the face of adversity are unparalleled.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyday Awakening by Catherine Duncan is a deeply grounded, heart centered guide to rediscovering presence and meaning in a world that often pulls us into overwhelm. Duncan blends spirituality, neuroscience, and therapeutic wisdom with remarkable clarity, offering practical rituals breathwork, grounding exercises, trust-building practices that make emotional and spiritual awakening feel attainable for any reader.

What stands out is the book’s gentle but transformative approach: it doesn’t preach transcendence, but embodiment. Duncan invites us back into our senses, our intuition, and our own humanity. Readers consistently praise the book for its calm, nurturing tone and its ability to inspire real behavioral shifts without ever feeling heavy or overly complex.

This is the kind of wellness title that stays with you encouraging micro moments of presence, deeper emotional awareness, and a renewed connection to something greater. Meaningful, modern, and heartfelt.

[Gianfranco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real awakening

It has been a long time since I read a book that gave me so much tranquillity, so much desire to grow from within. The book has helped me a lot to understand that stress and problems are things that the mind learns to fight not from the fight, on the contrary, from peace, from the idea of being able to internalize, to connect with yourself, with nature, to embrace the problem and not run away or even worse try to block it.
The book and its contributions are not gratuitous, because Duncan's experience is reflected in each of the pages he writes. But it is not only his knowledge, it is also his ability to express himself, his close and unhurried narrative. The book feels like a series of live sessions, in which you immerse yourself with a full-on couch. Sensational.

[Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Everyday Awakening " felt like a gentle invitation to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters. The author's practices are accessible, compassionate, and beautifully grounded. It was really good for someone juggling a demanding career, a family, and the constant noise of daily life. Her writing has a calming clarity that made me feel seen, understood, and encouraged rather than overwhelmed.

What resonated most was how naturally these practices translated into my family life. I found myself approaching stressful moments with more patience, tuning in more deeply to what my kids needed, and offering myself grace instead of guilt.

The exercises helped me create small but meaningful pauses in the middle of hectic days. Everyday Awakening genuinely supports you in living with more presence, compassion, and heart.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book by Catherine Duncan has been a transformative read for me, especially because I live in a very fast-paced world, and I often feel trapped in many thoughts that generate a lot of stress and anxiety, and I feel that the book allowed me to reconnect with myself, and thanks to the five practices presented by Catherine I have been able to easily get out of moments of anxiety, and connect with a more conscious life. One of the things that I found most useful about the book are the tools it provides, such as breathing exercises, which by practicing them in my routine and I have noticed a decrease in my anxiety and a feeling of great calm. I definitely recommend this book as a practical guide for those seeking a more meaningful and connected life.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and beautiful book

This book brought a complete change to the way I live my life. It is definitely a read that taught me to let go of routine, to be present in the moment, and to embrace the changes and fears one might have. What I liked most is the focus and the fundamental practices this book offers us; it shows us how to connect with our essence and live in a fuller and happier way. It also discusses the importance of mindfulness, self-reflection, authentic connection, gratitude, and empowerment. From the moment you start reading the first page, you’re hooked until the end. It’s a book that opens your eyes and has helped me strengthen my sense of identity in many ways.
I highly recommend it, it’s a very rewarding read.

[S Tyty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a healing journey. Duncan’s book is practical as well as insightful and the fact that it is written in the first-person singular gives it a hint of reality, and it activates more mental connections since we can identify what the author says with our real life.
Everyday Awakening is an entirely inspirational story and guides us to write our own stories from negative to positive. Woven throughout the pages are many true-life stories that can empower hundreds of others suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression.
This narrative is one which I consider we should all have at hand, it helps in many ways. Everything is positive about it. Loved it!

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Human beings have valued their mental health since time immemorial and even today, many cultures practice various techniques to keep the energy in the present and relieve the mind. Unfortunately, I believe that today, we live in a hurry and full of stress because we cannot find the time to meditate or try another technique to help us relax.
This book is a real gem that I am grateful to have read! It’s based on decades of experience which makes it an invaluable resource that offers different options to implement in our routine. Of all the change processes I’ve come across in my adult life, this tops the list as effective and easy!

[Margarita Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful book.

''Everyday Awakening'' is an insightful book that will change your life from the beginning. Written by Catherine Duncan, this guide will offer you multiple options that will help you to live in the present, to have a spiritual connection, strengthen confidence and love, and more. This book will open your mind and heart for a new beginning leaving behind the stress of daily life. I know every day has some pressure from work or personal issues, but having tools that help to deal with that is key. The author offers here all her experience with powerful tools to use and adapt to our routines. I have to say this is
a wonderful book.

[Caro Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely book

I think this book is a wonderful help for everyone. I really liked the way the author poured herself in her writing and allowed all of us to be a part of it and to be able to understand where she is coming from as she writes.
Not only is this book filled with so much advice that could potentially save my life, but it also provides meditation tips that anyone can use to help them through a panic attack or a moment of struggle.
I think the author and applaud for creating this wonderful book that will shine a light on many peoples lives. I highly recommend it to everyone as it is a wonderful help.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing read with a practical guide for anyone looking to reset their life, be more present and find peace in that search. Personally, I think this read is great for anyone starting into the world of mindfulness and spirituality because the book really breaks down those concepts and gives a good introduction to everything relating those practices.
The book has a lot of spirituality but also a lot of neuroscience and psychology, which I found really interesting and it is nice to see one goal being approached in different ways.
Overall, I find this book is great for a lot of readers leaving in a rush in a world that doesn't stop.

[Melissa Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world that is constantly changing, Catherine Duncan provides ways to stay grounded. She provides examples on how folks just accept the present and just live. I'm thankful she provided breathing exercises because I definitely need those today. She acknowledges that it's hard to be present and be calm but we must try no matter what. I will be going back to this book. The world is a lot at this moment and this book will definitely help you stay calm and be at ease. Even if it's just for a moment.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author seems to share an intimate and well-grounded story. During my reading, I found the most exciting part to be how the author talks about death. Death is not the end but a new transformation. She speaks about the patients that are near the end of their lives, and the thought of their loved ones that are dead is what comforts them. Which is a way to cope with near death. The idea of death is not so bad after all. The following translation of our being is the idea that even death is something unknown that we can't control, but we won't be alone.

[Shaunee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author’s personal experience with death and her professional experience as a chaplain really helped to ground the messages in this book, namely that when faced with the end of our lives, we focus on love, spirituality, being present, and being open to the various mysteries of our world. Her message that we don’t have to wait until we face death to practice these habits really resonated with me. I also enjoyed the mindfulness/meditation practices included in each chapter. They were written in such a way that it felt like being in a meditation class.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this over only 2 days, I just had to put it down for a while because life.

But this book is outstanding. Incredible stories from her own life and experiences at being at the end of life for so many as a chaplain. I love the explanations and the practices. Very accessible, beautifully written and organized. This is a must.

[Ligia Bonetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyday Awakening is a guide to living a more mindful, connected, and fulfilling life. The book talks about five key practices: Staying Present, connecting with something greater,growing Trust, embodying Love and holding Openness – Embracing new perspectives for personal growth. This book emphasizes that awakening is an ongoing, accessible journey, not a distant goal.

[Deb Hammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical New Age book - very interesting. It's the kind of book you need to read a chapter and do the work. I didn't have time to do that since I wanted to return it so think I may need to purchase a copy for myself.

[MATHEW · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book!

I really enjoyed Everyday Awakening! Catherine does an incredible job in this book sharing her five practices that help one live with more mindfulness, gratitude, and much more. I also really enjoyed her exercises. A must-read!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life! I’m grateful for Catherine’s wisdom and many exercises to help me come into my heart!

[Scott Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the exercises in Everyday Awakening to be very helpful. Inspiring book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Very practice applications written in a way that’s easy to understand. Her life stories and examples help show the effectiveness and situational triggers to look for.

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

In today's insane world, everyone needs this book if they plan to live a life away from the craziness surrounding them.

[Will Manuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn’t really my cup of tea. Lots of breathing.