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Rest Is Sacred: Reclaiming Our Brilliance through the Practice of Stillness
Concise, potent, poetic messages of inspiration, direction, and encouragement for you to embrace rest and reflection as a deep spiritual practice.
In this compelling follow-up to her popular book, Pause, Rest, Be, Octavia Raheem offers succinct, gem-like teachings that invite us to find ways to embrace rest in our daily lives. Rest, she posits, is not only restorative—it connects you to your inner wisdom and is a portal to revelation. Raheem urges us to consider rest as a spiritual practice and to find ways to weave it into the busyness of our everyday life. In this way, she says, we can more fully “rise to the occasion of our life.”
Raheem uses personal reflection, and creative, evocative “sutras” (or, just as aptly, aphorisms, threads, psalms, or proverbs) and inquiry to guide us toward a more well-rested present and future. The forty sutras fall into three categories:
-Rest as a place of refuge from the storms of life
-Rest as a place to remember who you are
-Rest as a place of revelation
Each page of Rest is Sacred invites the reader into seeing rest as a contemplative practice and a way of life—and to reflect on our relationship to grind culture. The sutras are concise, potent, and inspiring and can be read in a moment, contemplated, or lingered over. Raheem offers the view that the most sustainable future available to us is a well-rested one, and that rest isn’t a luxury—it is a necessary spiritual practice that is available to us all.
In this compelling follow-up to her popular book, Pause, Rest, Be, Octavia Raheem offers succinct, gem-like teachings that invite us to find ways to embrace rest in our daily lives. Rest, she posits, is not only restorative—it connects you to your inner wisdom and is a portal to revelation. Raheem urges us to consider rest as a spiritual practice and to find ways to weave it into the busyness of our everyday life. In this way, she says, we can more fully “rise to the occasion of our life.”
Raheem uses personal reflection, and creative, evocative “sutras” (or, just as aptly, aphorisms, threads, psalms, or proverbs) and inquiry to guide us toward a more well-rested present and future. The forty sutras fall into three categories:
-Rest as a place of refuge from the storms of life
-Rest as a place to remember who you are
-Rest as a place of revelation
Each page of Rest is Sacred invites the reader into seeing rest as a contemplative practice and a way of life—and to reflect on our relationship to grind culture. The sutras are concise, potent, and inspiring and can be read in a moment, contemplated, or lingered over. Raheem offers the view that the most sustainable future available to us is a well-rested one, and that rest isn’t a luxury—it is a necessary spiritual practice that is available to us all.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2024
61 people are currently reading
3964 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 25, 2025
I'm so grateful for this beautiful book that I received through Goodreads Giveaways! I believe that this timing is impeccable as we wind our way through the political upheaval in this country. Grateful. Along with the book, I got a card signed by the author and personal message inside. Very thoughtful.
February 28, 2025
This book was transformative to me, especially the first and third parts. It's a book about rest that truly feels restful to read.
November 10, 2024
Xviii. This book is a place to take refuge, reclaim, and receive revelation born from rest.
5 Rest is the most honest place you can go and meet the Divine. It is because of this that rest is true refuge. My own journey through loss has taught me this.
49 When you rest, the opportunity to remember yourself beyond your conditions or conditioning emerges.
53. What if your weariness and wiring are older than you? What if the way to be free of it is both within you and older than you as well? What if rest is the way to truly begin that process? On one level, resting is nourishing and feels good. On another level, rest can be excavating.
55. Say this to yourself multiple times a day: "I am worthy of rest." Notice how that lands in your heart.
58. When someone asks you a question, do you pause, then respond, or immediately lurch into an answer?
61 Who were you before the world told you who you were supposed to be?
Make a list. Read it aloud. Share it with someone who can hold the truth with you.
64. My legacy is shaped by the quality of my relationships, how and what we nourish one another through.
65. Signs and messages that say, beloved, here. Here is a safe way to swim home.
68 (ask each day). What do you need right now? What do you want right now?
78. This is an invitation to remember the wide cosmic embrace, yearning to hold you.
This is an invitation to ask for divine support, receive, and allow it.
Do not stay so busy doing that you forget to be.
That you forget how to be loved by the most Divine.
To be loved by the most sacred.
102. You teach the children and elders how to live and no longer fear their own deep breaths.
You love so completely that in your presence, everyone feels real love.
You share yourself without depleting yourself.
You are a safe place to be.
This.
This is the new measure of prosperity in this new era.
Poems to return to: 1.3, 1.4, 1.9, 1.11, 1.14, 1.18, 1.20B, 1.22B, 1.23, 1.26, 1.27, 1.28, 1.30T "Rest is so much more than lying down. For you, the grief-stricken, it is a sanctuary to fall apart and be held.") ; 3.2B, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.16 (YES! esp "This time you get to heal through joy."); 3.17, 1.18
5 Rest is the most honest place you can go and meet the Divine. It is because of this that rest is true refuge. My own journey through loss has taught me this.
49 When you rest, the opportunity to remember yourself beyond your conditions or conditioning emerges.
53. What if your weariness and wiring are older than you? What if the way to be free of it is both within you and older than you as well? What if rest is the way to truly begin that process? On one level, resting is nourishing and feels good. On another level, rest can be excavating.
55. Say this to yourself multiple times a day: "I am worthy of rest." Notice how that lands in your heart.
58. When someone asks you a question, do you pause, then respond, or immediately lurch into an answer?
61 Who were you before the world told you who you were supposed to be?
Make a list. Read it aloud. Share it with someone who can hold the truth with you.
64. My legacy is shaped by the quality of my relationships, how and what we nourish one another through.
65. Signs and messages that say, beloved, here. Here is a safe way to swim home.
68 (ask each day). What do you need right now? What do you want right now?
78. This is an invitation to remember the wide cosmic embrace, yearning to hold you.
This is an invitation to ask for divine support, receive, and allow it.
Do not stay so busy doing that you forget to be.
That you forget how to be loved by the most Divine.
To be loved by the most sacred.
102. You teach the children and elders how to live and no longer fear their own deep breaths.
You love so completely that in your presence, everyone feels real love.
You share yourself without depleting yourself.
You are a safe place to be.
This.
This is the new measure of prosperity in this new era.
Poems to return to: 1.3, 1.4, 1.9, 1.11, 1.14, 1.18, 1.20B, 1.22B, 1.23, 1.26, 1.27, 1.28, 1.30T "Rest is so much more than lying down. For you, the grief-stricken, it is a sanctuary to fall apart and be held.") ; 3.2B, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.16 (YES! esp "This time you get to heal through joy."); 3.17, 1.18
November 26, 2024
Transformative Rest: A Call to Renewal and Self-Discovery
Rest Is Sacred by Octavia Raheem is a deeply insightful guide that reimagines rest as a transformative spiritual practice. With poetic grace and profound reflections, Raheem invites us to slow down, reconnect, reflect and treat rest as an act of renewal, self-discovery, and deep care for our emotional well-being.
Each section offers thoughtful inspiration, urging us to step away from the relentless demands of grind culture shaped by advanced capitalism. Raheem shows how rest can be a place of refuge and clarity, opening doors to untapped capacities within us. It is through this practice that we encounter a changed version of ourselves—more present, grounded, and whole. This book is a call to live more fully with greater intention, rooted in stillness and purpose.
Whether read cover to cover, savored gradually, or opened at random for timely insight, Rest Is Sacred offers profound encouragement to embrace rest as a portal to balance, purpose, and inner transformation. In these times, this book is a powerful and much-needed guide for anyone ready to reclaim their well-being and embrace rest as a radical act of self-care and sustainability.
Give this gift to yourself or loved ones by ordering it online at this independent, feminist bookstore, Charis Books, here: https://www.charisbooksandmore.com/bo....
Rest Is Sacred by Octavia Raheem is a deeply insightful guide that reimagines rest as a transformative spiritual practice. With poetic grace and profound reflections, Raheem invites us to slow down, reconnect, reflect and treat rest as an act of renewal, self-discovery, and deep care for our emotional well-being.
Each section offers thoughtful inspiration, urging us to step away from the relentless demands of grind culture shaped by advanced capitalism. Raheem shows how rest can be a place of refuge and clarity, opening doors to untapped capacities within us. It is through this practice that we encounter a changed version of ourselves—more present, grounded, and whole. This book is a call to live more fully with greater intention, rooted in stillness and purpose.
Whether read cover to cover, savored gradually, or opened at random for timely insight, Rest Is Sacred offers profound encouragement to embrace rest as a portal to balance, purpose, and inner transformation. In these times, this book is a powerful and much-needed guide for anyone ready to reclaim their well-being and embrace rest as a radical act of self-care and sustainability.
Give this gift to yourself or loved ones by ordering it online at this independent, feminist bookstore, Charis Books, here: https://www.charisbooksandmore.com/bo....
December 5, 2024
*Rest Is Sacred* is a game-changer. The way Octavia Raheem breaks down the importance of rest and stillness is so refreshing and impactful. This book is not just about getting more sleep—it’s about reclaiming your peace and your power in the chaos of life. She blends humor, wisdom, and real-life insights, making it easy to connect with and even easier to apply to your daily routine.
My favorite part is the concise approach to speaking to your soul. She has a way of cutting through the noise and making you reflect on what truly matters.
I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing her approach to rest has been, and this book brings that powerful practice to everyone. The book is a mix of real talk and deep wisdom, like having a conversation with someone who really gets it. She makes you laugh, makes you think, and somehow, makes you want to put your phone down for five minutes. If you're feeling burnt out or just in need of a reset, this book is for you. It’s a reminder that taking time for stillness isn’t just nice—it’s necessary for our well-being. Highly recommend it to anyone looking to live more mindfully and reclaim their brilliance.
My favorite part is the concise approach to speaking to your soul. She has a way of cutting through the noise and making you reflect on what truly matters.
I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing her approach to rest has been, and this book brings that powerful practice to everyone. The book is a mix of real talk and deep wisdom, like having a conversation with someone who really gets it. She makes you laugh, makes you think, and somehow, makes you want to put your phone down for five minutes. If you're feeling burnt out or just in need of a reset, this book is for you. It’s a reminder that taking time for stillness isn’t just nice—it’s necessary for our well-being. Highly recommend it to anyone looking to live more mindfully and reclaim their brilliance.
November 1, 2024
During the pandemic, the world was forced to take a collective rest. I remember making a promise to myself that once the world reopened, I would protect my rest and not run myself ragged with work and doing. I did not keep that promise to myself. In 2022, Octavia Raheem released her second book, Pause, Rest, Be: Stillness Practices for Courage in Times of Change. Guided by Octavia’s beautifully written words and spiritual knowing, I felt I was granted permission to choose restoration. I trust Octavia, and I trust her divine timing. Her third book, Rest is Sacred, comes when I value my rest but desperately need a practice. Rest is Sacred, notions you to make an alliance with rest and, to choose yourself again and again and again. I love how Octavia presents the path to rest as a spiritual and attainable refuge. Inspirational.
October 30, 2024
Rest is Sacred is Sacred
I have been anticipating the third book, Rest is Sacred, from Octavia F. Raheem. It was well worth the wait and exactly what I needed. Octavia uses a resonate voice that leads you to hear what you didn’t know you needed to hear. Rest allows us to be the best to ourselves and others. Rest allows us to open up and say “Yes” to cultivating, reawakening, and nurturing “You”. You can literally open this book to any page on any day and find words of comfort, encouragement, and ways to care for self. It’s like a Yin Yoga session on parchment! Buy it for everyone you care about. It is a gift that keeps giving.
One of my favorite quotes: “When you fell down…You found an unlikely place of refuge when you finally allowed yourself to rest and feel (p.33).”
I have been anticipating the third book, Rest is Sacred, from Octavia F. Raheem. It was well worth the wait and exactly what I needed. Octavia uses a resonate voice that leads you to hear what you didn’t know you needed to hear. Rest allows us to be the best to ourselves and others. Rest allows us to open up and say “Yes” to cultivating, reawakening, and nurturing “You”. You can literally open this book to any page on any day and find words of comfort, encouragement, and ways to care for self. It’s like a Yin Yoga session on parchment! Buy it for everyone you care about. It is a gift that keeps giving.
One of my favorite quotes: “When you fell down…You found an unlikely place of refuge when you finally allowed yourself to rest and feel (p.33).”
November 1, 2024
"Rest is Sacred" is a thoughtful, enriching work exploring stillness and rest. I’ve experienced first-hand Octavia’s refreshing wisdom and practical insights and exercises that illuminate the often-overlooked significance of stillness and rest in our frantic lives. Her writing is unique, elegant and gentle, nudging the reader towards inner peace and fostering a deeper appreciation for life's quieter moments. One of its strengths lies in its poetic text, which is approachable to a wide range of readers, from mindfulness beginners to seasoned practitioners. In essence, this book is an enlightening journey towards peace and tranquility, positioning stillness and rest not just as pauses but as integral parts of our existence.
December 25, 2024
I saw this book advertised in an email and immediately ordered it. Rest without feeling guilty is something I have always struggled with. This book was a beautiful help and support in understanding rest as a spiritual practice. As a mental health therapist and currently studying to become a spiritual director this book will be one that I will turn to often. I have already read portions to some of my clients. The format is tender and soothing. This book will remain close at hand to support me in my own contemplative practice. Thank you Octavia for writing this book.
October 29, 2024
This book is such a gift for the reader! Written in a way that makes it easy to pick-up and read in small, restful snippets - I loved incorporating the reflections this book prompted into my contemplative practice. Prayer, poetry and prose all inviting us into an exploration of rest. Rather than feeling like it was one more thing I "should" do - the very act of reading the book was creating a spot of rest in my da. Like I said, such a gift!
December 29, 2024
✨ rest is not a pause; it is the path.
it is where the divine meets you,
in the quiet stillness of your soul.
✨ rest is refuge; it is revelation.
a sacred thread that binds your heart
to what truly matters.
✨ rest is remembering;
the you before the world whispered
what you should be.
✨ this book is a sanctuary,
poetic whispers that remind you:
you are worthy of ease,
of care,
of being.
Come back to this one again and again,
a compass pointing you home.
🌙
it is where the divine meets you,
in the quiet stillness of your soul.
✨ rest is refuge; it is revelation.
a sacred thread that binds your heart
to what truly matters.
✨ rest is remembering;
the you before the world whispered
what you should be.
✨ this book is a sanctuary,
poetic whispers that remind you:
you are worthy of ease,
of care,
of being.
Come back to this one again and again,
a compass pointing you home.
🌙
March 30, 2025
This is fundamentally introductory to an important topic. It is a door to an important practice which is much needed for our individual and collective healing and wellness. If you want something more in depth, there are many other works to meet that need. If you are one of those who wish to alter your 'I'm so busy, so too busy' lifestyle, this book is a good entry point for inspiration and guidance.
October 30, 2024
Raheem offers us wisdom through prose and inquiry as we walk toward a more brilliant existence.
"Slow intentional steady we dismantle disordered systems from within" this is one of my favorite lines from this composition.
I will continue to read and re-read this work as I explore and integrate the ways Rest as a practice can be transformative in all aspects of my life.
"Slow intentional steady we dismantle disordered systems from within" this is one of my favorite lines from this composition.
I will continue to read and re-read this work as I explore and integrate the ways Rest as a practice can be transformative in all aspects of my life.
October 31, 2024
Reclaiming our brilliance through rest is exactly what Octavia helps us to do with "Rest is Sacred!" I have been a fan of Octavia's writing for many years, and this is no exception. The pictures she paints with words leaves you breathless, but full of breath at the same time. Healing breaths. And we are better for it. Thank you for sharing this with the world!
October 31, 2024
Rest is Sacred is like a medicine for your soul. Octavia let’s us peek into her own rest journey while sharing her special brand of wisdom about rest, self worth and thriving in a society that deprioritizes well being.
Thank you Octavia for this beautiful book- it is now a part of my daily practice.
Thank you Octavia for this beautiful book- it is now a part of my daily practice.
October 30, 2024
My dear teacher, friend, and thought leader has released her 3rd book and it is the rest resource you need! Rest is Sacred speaks to your soul and offers wisdom and practical guidance on the power of rest and stillness. This book is truly transformational!
October 31, 2024
Considering where we are culturally, Rest Is Sacred is soooooo timely. This book, just like Gather and Pause,Rest,Be, is speaking to my soul.
Thank you for putting so much care into reminding us of the power and potential that rest holds for us!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy!
Thank you for putting so much care into reminding us of the power and potential that rest holds for us!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy!
October 31, 2024
This book provided me with exactly what I needed - permission to rest. To allow myself space, to say yes to deeply breathing, to give myself true time to restore. Octavia is such a brilliant writer and she sees all of us in her books. Rest is Sacred is the perfect antidote for our hustle culture.
October 31, 2024
Octavia Raheem’s words in Rest is Sacred flow with a gentle, grounded ease. Whether rest feels familiar or distant, this book is an invitation to slow down and make space for what’s sacred to rise up within us.
November 26, 2024
Beautiful reminders to remember who I am, what I’m here for, who I’m here for, and who was here for me. Octavia’s new book is a gift full of gifts! Lines and lyrics, thoughts and prayers that helped her and offered with love to help us get back into alignment with ourselves.
December 24, 2024
This book is a guide to finding true rest. A poignant quote: “Most of all, I know that rest is a healing salve with regenerative power. And we need that kind of anointed power right now.” I bear witness to this statement in my own life as well. 💜
January 30, 2025
Go slowly and savorer every word! Octavia has wisdom to share in rest, and being present in the moment and with the self. Listen to her words at the start of the book, Don't read in one sitting, savor.
June 2, 2025
Short but solid reminder to rest.
Why I started it: Eye catching title, on my list of rest and Sabbath books.
Why I finished it: Least religious rest book I've read. More about resting for yourself and for your ancestors.
Why I started it: Eye catching title, on my list of rest and Sabbath books.
Why I finished it: Least religious rest book I've read. More about resting for yourself and for your ancestors.
July 22, 2025
This book walked with me through a very difficult and somewhat isolated time in my life and invited me to see the beauty in the not doing. I feel restored and renewed . It has been a true companion to me. Thank you to my friend Maria, for sending it to me.
October 31, 2024
This book makes you feel seen and understood in a gentle and loving way. A must have for those interested in having a rest practice and companion.
November 4, 2024
The second half is where Octavia Raheem's writing really shines. I struggled to get through Part 1 and half of part 2. There are some really valuable lessons in here if you slow down and read them.
April 11, 2025
this is my opinion if you had written your story....moreover rest is not stillness....although we can definitely debate or discuss over this but it again depends on the perspective...
August 8, 2025
I'll be buying this for my collection.
December 26, 2025
Primary lens: Trauma-informed/attuned clinical practice, systems, and cultural
Core contribution:
This book centers returning readers to cultural systems and ways of being where rest is spiritual and the way to be.
Theoretical or clinical alignment:
Strong alignment with lifestyle changes (ie., sleep hygiene), trauma-informed/attuned frameworks, and somatic-informed care.
Limitations or cautions:
Practice rest as you are able to in a meaningful and practical way for you.
Application:
Useful as a framework for both the psychoeducation of rest and stillness, as well as pushing back on the system in which capitalism dictates worthiness and ability to rest.
Verdict:
A solid foundational resource with high translational value.
Core contribution:
This book centers returning readers to cultural systems and ways of being where rest is spiritual and the way to be.
Theoretical or clinical alignment:
Strong alignment with lifestyle changes (ie., sleep hygiene), trauma-informed/attuned frameworks, and somatic-informed care.
Limitations or cautions:
Practice rest as you are able to in a meaningful and practical way for you.
Application:
Useful as a framework for both the psychoeducation of rest and stillness, as well as pushing back on the system in which capitalism dictates worthiness and ability to rest.
Verdict:
A solid foundational resource with high translational value.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews