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Practicing the Presence: The Inspirational Guide to Regaining Meaning and a Sense of Purpose in Your Life

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The celebrated guide to the awareness of the devine and transcedental in our daily lives. This modern spiritual classic is one of the three books. Goldsmith felt contained the essence of all his teachings.

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1984

104 people are currently reading
406 people want to read

About the author

Joel S. Goldsmith

300 books99 followers

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5 stars
232 (66%)
4 stars
76 (21%)
3 stars
29 (8%)
2 stars
8 (2%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Brittany.
2 reviews8 followers
October 26, 2014
This is exactly what I needed. If I hadn't read other books and information previously, though, I probably would've turned away and stopped reading due to the usage of the word "Christ" throughout. But what it's really referring to is the Christ Consciousness, which has nothing to do with Jesus as a human being. He "put on the Christ" that is already within us so to speak...as did all the other ascended masters (Buddha, Krishna, etc). We are called to do the same. This book makes that clear and is all about remembering that we are One with God (Source, The Universe) or whatever you wanna call the Divine. Happy to have read this and now own a highlighted copy for my bookshelf. Highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Jilles.
559 reviews9 followers
September 26, 2019
Cutting through a lot of mumbo jumbo to explain spiritual principles, using Christian symbols to come to a Universal conclusion, this book is very profound. And having read it a second time it sinks in even deeper.
Profile Image for David Teachout.
Author 2 books25 followers
July 27, 2012


"I and the father are one," is the sufficiency of the teaching though it's nuance and practice are of a depth requiring stillness and a meditative revelation. It is important to keep in mind that many of the terms used here, while the same as those of conservative fundamentalism, are intimately not the same in usage. Goldsmith hammers out with the lightest of blows a series of truths that are at once enlightening and soul-searing as the ego with which we as people are so enamored is replaced by the Oneness which is god and love. It is not a book to skim or read once but to soak in and revel in a personal awakening.
Profile Image for Fashion Junkie.
3 reviews
September 3, 2008
I can honestly say that this book changed my life! I remember being Super sad during this period of my life, and i dont know who i would be if i hadn't picked up this book. I would wake up and for 5 minutes I would read a section of this book (and cry:)), and that was enough to meditate on throughout my day while i went to school. This book is Amazing because it helps you become more aware of your conscious and how you can correctly use it to be more in harmony with your spiritual Being.
Profile Image for Fernando Mendonça.
6 reviews
November 11, 2025
Fiz a leitura deste livro a pedido do meu irmão. O autor passa muitas lições importantes e que pretendo seguir, mas realmente não é a leitura que estou acostumado. Neste sentido foi até bom sair da zona de conforto e vou smpre me lebrar de que "o passado e o futuro não existem, somente o presente existe". Tentarei viver mais o agora e ficar menos preocupado com o que poderia, ou poderá, ser. Por outro lado, achei o autor muito enviesado para o cristianismo, apesar de também mencionar o budismo algumas vezes. Fiquei pensando em como chegar na mesma contemplação por outras vias.
16 reviews
April 8, 2019
The Path to Oneship

There is nothing I can say, as my humble self to give this writing the credit it deserves. I read Mr. Goldsmith probably 40 years ago and it was sent back to him recently. This book is very humble, private, and genuine. For anyone searching for God and their inner self, I recommend you read this at least twice. It speaks for itself.
26 reviews
May 10, 2021
You know the way

If you listen you will hear. We deny our inner voice, conscious, soul but it is always there for you. You know the way go back and listen. If you find yourself troubled please take the time to read this book.
Profile Image for Kristian.
7 reviews
June 12, 2024
This book is so charged with light.. it is so energizing to read. Every word, line, page resonates and feels like he’s putting into words what I’ve always known to be true about who we are and what life is…
Profile Image for Zulma Gonzalez.
14 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2025
Always on point

What I appreciate about Horl Goldsmith's work is that he never changes his focus. Heis consistency of purpose has always impressed me.

Goldsmith's message is always clear and edifying.
38 reviews
March 6, 2018
A good reminder of who we really are.
177 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2020
3.5 Biblical passages, God as masculine can be off-putting. Oh but the energy in the spaces between his words! A volume of inspiration, not about method or practices per se.
10 reviews
April 15, 2021
Good

The insight into the kingdom of God. This book is laid out in the perfect way, spiritual understanding. Joel is a great author. He lets God use him.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
134 reviews58 followers
December 27, 2021
For SOM or spiritually inclined folks: Once you get past the antiquated language in this, it’s a good book and I’ll probably go back and review it for some salient takeaways.
3 reviews
August 5, 2025
One can never go wrong diving into the teachings of Joel S. Goldsmith

Mr. Joel Goldsmith has a way of laying the Truth out there in such a beautifully simple yet powerful way.
Profile Image for Ishmael.
35 reviews
March 17, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book, and much of it was quite inspirational and beautifully written, but I have 2 issues. 1 is that I am doubtful of the efficacy of the practice of contemplating pieces of scripture. I believe there are easier and more effective means to mystical states. Also, there is not enough talk and clear elaboration on the actual practices in this book.
Profile Image for Brian Wilcox.
Author 2 books530 followers
June 16, 2018
A practical application of Christian Scriptures and Christ, and God, ... unlike what I have found in any branch of institutional Christianity. The teachings are much like an Easternized version of Christian teaching. For anyone who has a love for Christ, yet has lost faith in organized church and/or any religion, this book offers another look at Truth and free of the need to be religious in a formal sense, for Goldsmith sees Truth, 'God,' to be nonreligious, and Christ to be part of the same enlightened awareness of other sages and saints: Goldsmith includes among these, as example, the historical Buddha. I was schooled in a more rational, traditional approach to Christian faith and, now, more aligned with Buddhism and Advaita, found this a refreshing relook into the faith in which I was raised and later became a cleryperson and religion professor.
898 reviews25 followers
December 10, 2009
More extremely good stuff for finding a more peaceful mind and quieting the restlessness within.... I've got these books some place..... time to find them again and force myself to ...pause.... and breathe...... and reflect....
411 reviews4 followers
August 27, 2012
This was an AMAZING book, but not for the faint of heart! It was challenging and it took me quite a while to read, reflect, and absorb the mere 140 pages, but it was worth ALL of it. If you are on a Spiritual Journey as I am, this classic needs to be a part of your journey!
15 reviews
Currently reading
March 15, 2009
The first few pages have me hooked...time just doesn't allow me the time I want for reading...
Profile Image for Sandi Kay.
31 reviews4 followers
January 25, 2010
Another class book, but a gem of one. If you can read past the dogma that he was forced to use, given the time he wrote the book, it's brilliant!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Olson.
615 reviews15 followers
May 18, 2012
A Joel Goldsmith book that I didn't have to force myself to get through? Amazing! This is the clearest and most pragmatic laying out of Goldsmith's unique insights into Spirit I've ever read.
Profile Image for Xenia.
97 reviews37 followers
January 3, 2013
I did not give it 5 stars because of the biblical dogma written in old world English that Mr. Goldsmith included in this book. I could do without that, but I do get the point of it.
Profile Image for Loretta.
40 reviews3 followers
January 4, 2014
This book guides you to seeing the world in a new light. I keep going back to it.
5 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2017
Awsome

If you never understood the greatness of God, this book will truly open your awareness of God and the God in you.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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