The Practice: Simple Tools for Managing Stress, Finding Inner Peace, and Uncovering Happiness

by Barbara Schmidt

The mind has a way of interfering with personal happiness, often causing stress and doubt. Getting in touch with one's inner source of peace and following its guidance over the mind's often-unfounded concerns requires training and discipline. Knowing this truth intimately, Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life Founder Barb Schmidt developed a three-part spiritual discipline called "The Practice." "The Practice" is a toolkit to be used throughout the day to guide people who are looking for confidence, less stress, and deeper meaning along life's path. These tools are a compilation of the great Truths taught by authentic teachers and masters throughout the centuries from various religious and spiritual traditions.
In the first three chapters of "The Practice," readers are guided through the daily routine: Waking Up, Living Present, and Letting Go. Beginning with a morning meditation, a thread of peace is followed over the course of the day through the repetition of a sacred mantra, practicing focused attention, reading for inspiration, and reflecting on the day. In the concluding chapter, readers are provided with an opportunity to deepen their experience of "The Practice" with engaging exercises.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality

176 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2014

About the author

Barb Schmidt radiates enthusiasm and passion. She is one of those rare individuals who shows that she truly cares in every aspect of her life. She is a businesswoman, philanthropist, and spiritual teacher with over thirty years devoted to spiritual development and research. She has studied with Thich Nhat Hanh, Deepak Chopra, Scott Peck, and Marianne Williamson, among many other notable teachers. As founder of Spirit of Giving Network and cofounder and past president of Ronald McDonald Children Charities of South Florida, Barb raised millions of dollars for children and families in need.

In 2001, Barb partnered with Florida Atlantic University’s Peace Studies Program to promote dialogue in the greater community on the topic of inner peace. Additionally, she taught a class on meditation and spiritual practices as part of the life-long learning program at Nova University for five years. For the past ten years, she has been offering quarterly workshops and weekly classes on spiritual practices and has facilitated lectures by many notable speakers, including the Dalai Lama, Dr. Jane Goodall, Caroline Myss, James Finely, Dan Millman, and Dr. Mona Lisa Schultz. A sought-after speaker herself, Barb regularly lectures at schools and organizations to spread her message of living a meaningful, happy life.

In 2011, Barb founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life through which she teaches The Practice—a three-part guide to practical spirituality in today’s modern world. A well-respected not-for-profit, Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life has quickly expanded to include an online community via Facebook and through the weekly blog at www.peacefulmindpeacefullife.org

Barb lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with her husband, Dick, and is the mother to Michelle and David. She remains a dedicated student of meditation, spirituality, and peaceful living.

Reviews

[Denise MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a practical guide through why meditation is important to living a fulfilling, happy life. The most important part is the author explains how to meditate and what to expect. She offers many examples from her own personal experiences regarding how meditation has changed her life for the better. She also includes many influential quotes from others that have impacted her in some way. The book was set up well, taking the reader through the day with specific times to take a moment to 'ground' yourself with a scared mantra.
The author also provides advice on how to practice focused attention and how it can help you create a peacefulness in your life. She also stresses in the importance of reflecting on you day and using these tools to maintain a peaceful, fulfilling life. Exercises are provided within the book to assist the reader.
I did find it a bit dry in places, but if you want to learn about meditation and what it can do for you, this is the book to read. It is a short, quick read, but full of reference material that will be great to have on hand.

[Orbs n Rings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't just about meditation. It's about calming the mind, nervous system and learning to be present throughout your day-to-day life. In The Practice, you will learn how to find a deep connection with the self, yourself. I found the meaningful quotes provided me much inspiration. Other information provided includes learning how to meditate upon awakening, how to find the best time to meditate and why.

I have skimmed over some books on meditation in the past in hopes that they might provide something different and unique, only to find the same material over and over again. I didn't find this with The Practice, instead I found it to be very informative for such a small book.

One activity I found interesting is The Sacred Mantra Writing. In this activity you chose a worry or concern and write it down at the top of a piece of paper, notebook or within the open spaces of a line drawing, like you can find in the book "Daily Zen Doodles by Meera Lee Patel ." You then proceed to repeat the same words by writing them over and over again. This is a form of mediation that creates focus and brings a sense of peace and love, and is very beneficial. The benefits of this exercise depends on the words chosen.

When you look at this exercise from a different perspective, Sacred Mantra Writing is nothing magical, instead what it is, is a form of written prayer. It reminds me of being in catholic school again as a child, when the nuns punished the whole class for the disobedience of one student. We were sent home with the assignment of writing a sentence over and over again 100 times. It makes me chuckle now as an adult to think about how this was actually more of a benefit for us instead of a punishment.

This little book has a lot of information. Some you may find daunting, some you may find absolutely enlightening. I believe anyone who reads this book could take away a little something that may benefit them. Give it a try to find out for yourself.

[Holly Kreczko · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Barb's Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life group on Facebook and decided to read her book. I really wish I could have loved this book, but I found it repetitive and basic. I was expecting more of an in-depth explanation of her mindset process. I wanted to give up on it several times, or skim, but I never give up on books. It took me 5 months to get through this, but I did. This book is for someone in the beginning of their self discovery path or for someone who needs a push to get back on track.

[Rockie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Personally I'm not a self help kind girl. But I'm the time I'm living in my life I found this book right on time. I plan to practice these techniques to begin to get closer to myself and source. This book is easy to read and relatable.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read. Very inspirational with some great motivational ideas on how to live happily in the moment.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book, so helpful.

[Amity · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Practice is an accessible guide for individuals of any faith who want to learn how to meditate and be more firmly grounded in the present. Schmidt offers step by step daily instructions to "practice" calming and focusing your mind, and shares many helpful and inspirational quotes from spiritual mentors and leaders throughout (though I would have appreciated more specific references or footnotes for included quotes). As the pace of life becomes more frenetic and constant access to information assaults our senses, everyone could benefit from moments of unplugged inner reflection, and The Practice is a good beginner guide for the most harried among us.

[Sharon Gausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. The author's voice is like that of a good friend, and her book is full of personal tips and experiences. I particularly appreciated how she interwove the teachings of so many masters not only through quotes and inspirational sayings but also as they related to her personal life. Reading this book, I felt as though Barb Schmidt was taking me by the hand and sharing her wisdom about how to live MY authentic life and how to find peace and joy in each day. I read this book slowly and will return to it soon. I will also be exploring the very comprehensive reading list that is included. Excellent book and just what I needed at this point in my life.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm lucky enough to live in the same town as the author of this book. I read the book after hearing her speak for the second time – the first time was hearing her TEDx talk in Boca Raton in 2015. She outlines a simple method that anyone can begin to use immediately in their daily life. Understanding the distinction that simple is not not necessarily the same as easy!

She offers many pragmatic pieces of advice for staying on task with your meditation practice and enriching it. Definitely given me the sense of "I can do this" and I think there something to be gleaned if you already have a meditation practice.

[Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!! Barbara takes a simplified approach when explaining what she believes should be a good daily practice. Whatever your religion, she offers excellent tips and personal examples in order to provide guidance in setting up one's own daily practice. This book, in addition to the companion workbook, now have a permanent place in my collection and they are both something I refer to and will continue to refer to. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to bring a better sense of peace and calm into their daily life.

[Darci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thinking of rating this a "4" and then realized I've put three parts of The Practice into my daily life and it's making a difference. I also realized that it is a book I intend to read again...and soon. That was enough to push me to a "5". The teaching is simple, yet it makes sense and caused me to react positively to her instruction. Maybe it was just that this was my time to be drawn to her words and take action. In any case, I'm grateful to have read the book and recommend it.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This inspirational short work was just what I needed. It helps to clairfy the important things in life by helping you to become and stay centered in the present. She references many other teachers that I have enjoyed reading including Eckhart Tolle, Pema Chodron, and Thich Nhat Hanh. When I am feeling a little down I turn to inspirational books such as this. 4*

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book suggests how to build a meditation/spiritual routine but it's not so easy to put into your daily life as it suggestions on the cover. Pick and mix is the best attitude to reading this book and for me made it worth the read. There was though a lot of repetition in the later part of the books.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book, but to the point on how to develop a meditation practice plus more. It doesn't tell you how to meditate but how to incorporate it into your life along with other mindfulness practices. Quick and easy read.

[Kate Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great tips, as well as reminders, for living in the moment.

[Corinne Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://everydaygyaan.com/the-practice/