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The Mindful Catholic: Finding God One Moment at a Time
2018 Catholic Writer's Guild Award Winner!
Whether we are carrying out routine life behaviors, trying to pray, or conversing with others, the way our minds work significantly impacts how well we function. But many times we may feel like our mind has a mind of its own.
These all-too-common occurrences are examples of how our minds can seem to be completely out of our control. We end up merely going through the motions day after day, feeling anxious and preoccupied. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Dr. Greg Bottaro explains how mindfulness can help us become aware of the present moment and accept it. Catholic mindfulness is a way to practically trust God more in our lives. Instead of separating faith from day-to-day life, mindfulness helps bridge the gap so we can feel the sense of safety and peace God intends us to have.
Following the simple exercises in this book, you'll discover how mindfulness can help you be more present to everything in your life from a trip to the grocery store or relaxing with friends to listening more attentively to a homily or meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.
Whether we are carrying out routine life behaviors, trying to pray, or conversing with others, the way our minds work significantly impacts how well we function. But many times we may feel like our mind has a mind of its own.
These all-too-common occurrences are examples of how our minds can seem to be completely out of our control. We end up merely going through the motions day after day, feeling anxious and preoccupied. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Dr. Greg Bottaro explains how mindfulness can help us become aware of the present moment and accept it. Catholic mindfulness is a way to practically trust God more in our lives. Instead of separating faith from day-to-day life, mindfulness helps bridge the gap so we can feel the sense of safety and peace God intends us to have.
Following the simple exercises in this book, you'll discover how mindfulness can help you be more present to everything in your life from a trip to the grocery store or relaxing with friends to listening more attentively to a homily or meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.
197 pages, Hardcover
Published February 19, 2018
595 people are currently reading
1295 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
November 2, 2023
I found The Mindful Catholic to be at once insightful, engaging, practical, and overall incredibly helpful to those who struggle with a tendency towards overthinking, ruminating, and anxiety. Dr. Gregory Bottaro, a Catholic psychologist, provides a great resource steeped in the Church’s tradition which integrates body, mind, and soul to address the growing epidemic of anxiety in today’s fast-paced world. While this book provides readers with insightful content to better understand how their mind works, its greatest strength is the exercises in each chapter which offer the reader mindfulness practices to implement in their lives. I found these to be very practical ways to follow along and as I practiced the exercises I noticed myself maintaining a deeper sense of peace, becoming more aware with my body and its thoughts, as well as being able to connect with others more fully. While some may approach this book hesitant about its “self-help, positive self-esteem” attitude or concerned with integrating the Catholic faith with mindfulness, which is often associated with new age spirituality or Buddhism, Bottaro goes at length to correct some of these issues. While he may not toe this line perfectly and his writing may come across problematically at times, for those with a solid knowledge of faith and spirituality or a prudent spiritual director I would definitely still recommend this book, as there is much to be gleaned from its contents. Overall, I found this book to be really helpful, opening myself to a whole new way of experiencing life and my relationship with God.
April 22, 2018
Good attempt at integrating Catholicism and mindfulness
For any Catholic or Christian interested in learning about practicing mindfulness and how it might be integrated with their faith this book offers a sound perspective. It is practical and offers exercises on mindfulness meditation, body scan and loving kindness to name a few. While it is very practical it also offers enough theory and theology to satisfy those more interested in the cognitive underpinnings of these practices. The book has received some criticism as being non-Catholic but I would strongly disagree with this perspective. While these practices are a different type of prayer or meditation than many Christians are accustomed to they are far from non-Christian. For a more detailed history of Christian thought and practices as it relates to mindfulness see Living With the Mind of Christ: Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality.
For any Catholic or Christian interested in learning about practicing mindfulness and how it might be integrated with their faith this book offers a sound perspective. It is practical and offers exercises on mindfulness meditation, body scan and loving kindness to name a few. While it is very practical it also offers enough theory and theology to satisfy those more interested in the cognitive underpinnings of these practices. The book has received some criticism as being non-Catholic but I would strongly disagree with this perspective. While these practices are a different type of prayer or meditation than many Christians are accustomed to they are far from non-Christian. For a more detailed history of Christian thought and practices as it relates to mindfulness see Living With the Mind of Christ: Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality.
April 1, 2025
I've legitimately recommended this to over 100 people already so if that doesn't tell you how much I liked it....
January 24, 2021
The Mindful Catholic is an OK summary of what Mindfulness entails, with a little Catholic twist. Although Bottaro addresses the issue of whether mindfulness practice (done in the context of Catholicism) is too new-age or if the roots differ from Buddhist practice, I understand where his arguments come from, but I do think that this type of practice falls within the new-age, self-esteem culture and the type of practice is not different enough from Buddhism to create a whole new book for this specific type of mindfulness. For a Catholic that knows absolutely nothing about mindfulness and wishes to integrate these practices into their life, then this would be an OK book, although I am not entirely sure that I would recommend it, even to these people I just mentioned. My take on the subject is that the exercises are helpful, but more than the exercises themselves, it's useful to use them to learn how to be mindful of the things we do on a daily basis, not so much to get better at the exercises themselves.
The main issue I had with the book, I think, is that the author comes across as too new age and coming from the self-esteem culture, even though he often tries to justify that he's not. And he makes the arguments that this type of practice is not new age, but to me it's as if 80-90% of the book comes across as extremely new age and the final 10-20% is used to justify why it isn't. The content of the majority of the book can tell us what the author thinks. Now, as to what I am referring to when I say "new age" and "self-esteem culture" is that there is an enormous emphasis in this book on accepting who you are, your faults, insecurities, mistakes and sins. There is a huge (and even unhealthy, I might add) emphasis on accepting your body as it is and, as a whole, yourself as you are. See, the problem I have with this approach is that there is never an incentive to get better at anything. It's missing the second and equally (if not more) important part of the equation, which is actually doing something about your situation to gradually improve yourself. Bottaro of course, argues that mindfulness is NOT about being stagnant and content, but like I said, 80-90% of the content of the book gives that message, at least to me. And it's not a message that I particularly agree with.
It is true that you must accept yourself. It is also true that you must get better. There is an enormous lack of emphasis on the latter. And even though the author attempts to justify that mindfulness is not about being stagnant, the vast majority of the book comes across as new-age spirituality centered around the self-esteem culture. And for that reason, I cannot recommend it. If there is an audience for this book, it is for the Catholic who knows absolutely nothing about Mindfulness and wants an introduction, even though I think there are better resources for learning just that.
The main issue I had with the book, I think, is that the author comes across as too new age and coming from the self-esteem culture, even though he often tries to justify that he's not. And he makes the arguments that this type of practice is not new age, but to me it's as if 80-90% of the book comes across as extremely new age and the final 10-20% is used to justify why it isn't. The content of the majority of the book can tell us what the author thinks. Now, as to what I am referring to when I say "new age" and "self-esteem culture" is that there is an enormous emphasis in this book on accepting who you are, your faults, insecurities, mistakes and sins. There is a huge (and even unhealthy, I might add) emphasis on accepting your body as it is and, as a whole, yourself as you are. See, the problem I have with this approach is that there is never an incentive to get better at anything. It's missing the second and equally (if not more) important part of the equation, which is actually doing something about your situation to gradually improve yourself. Bottaro of course, argues that mindfulness is NOT about being stagnant and content, but like I said, 80-90% of the content of the book gives that message, at least to me. And it's not a message that I particularly agree with.
It is true that you must accept yourself. It is also true that you must get better. There is an enormous lack of emphasis on the latter. And even though the author attempts to justify that mindfulness is not about being stagnant, the vast majority of the book comes across as new-age spirituality centered around the self-esteem culture. And for that reason, I cannot recommend it. If there is an audience for this book, it is for the Catholic who knows absolutely nothing about Mindfulness and wants an introduction, even though I think there are better resources for learning just that.
January 21, 2021
Like unwrapping another layer of CBT. Helped me not to put so much weight on passing thoughts and feelings. Very practical. There has never been so much opportunity to learn to live in the present moment!
February 2, 2023
Took my time and read it at prayer time once a week. Lots of good tips and exercises suggested that would help in all aspects of life, not just spiritual. Would like to go back, reread it and actually be intentional about doing those exercises.
March 6, 2018
I did not finish this book. I felt a check in my spirit and reached out to a spiritual director I really respect, he confirmed that this would be a spiritually risky read. I would recommend anyone interested in this book check out A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness if this is a topic they are interested in.
March 20, 2023
This is excellent, one I would recommend to anyone. The first few chapters were especially fruitful for me, as even just the very concept of mindfulness and maintaining a curious distance from thoughts that pop into your head, living from the present moment instead of from your thoughts, seriously changed my mental state. And I thought I was already mentally healthy!! It has given me tools for everyday use and I'm so grateful.
September 18, 2025
I really enjoyed The Mindful Catholic, and I think that I can at least partially credit it with a shift in mindset that I've been cultivating this year, but I do think this could've been a much shorter book.
The ideas that Bottaro discusses throughout the book are worthwhile - focusing on the present and not getting bogged down by anxiety towards the future or the guilt and shame of the past, but after the first few chapters, he really starts to repeat himself. The later chapters got to the point where it felt like Bottaro was just filling pages before introducing a new exercise, and I think more brevity here would've been beneficial.
Despite that, there were plenty of good takeaways in this book, and I do plan to try to incorporate at least some of it into my daily life going forward.
The ideas that Bottaro discusses throughout the book are worthwhile - focusing on the present and not getting bogged down by anxiety towards the future or the guilt and shame of the past, but after the first few chapters, he really starts to repeat himself. The later chapters got to the point where it felt like Bottaro was just filling pages before introducing a new exercise, and I think more brevity here would've been beneficial.
Despite that, there were plenty of good takeaways in this book, and I do plan to try to incorporate at least some of it into my daily life going forward.
January 8, 2024
no time for review anymore, too lost in present moment
June 12, 2023
This book helped me a ton last year and I am glad to have re-read it this year. It seems to be one of those that I’ll keep in regular rotation.
The core idea is that if we are more in the present moment, we are closer to God. So anything that gets us into that space is worthwhile to do. Contrary to Buddhism and other places where mindfulness practices are found, a Catholic approach seeks to fill the mind with reality through the senses, not to empty us of our unique personhood, but rather to enrich our perception of it. We do not disappear into some induced aether, but rather we see reality and ourselves in full relief and vibrancy.
I spent 20 minutes each morning before prayer working through the exercises in this book, and I found that with mindfulness, my prayer was more fruitful, my ability to connect with others and the world around me increased, and I was also physiologically more at ease, my resting heart rate even plummeted, and I have gained more attunement with my needs and with my body as a whole.
It is wild to look back and see how often my “fight/flight/freeze” system, my “doing” rather than “being” mode was kicking in in situations where there was no problem or threat of death. The modern consciousness, with its still very primal hardware, submerged in a world with complexities it hasn’t evolved for, is a breeding ground for anxiety and existential dread. In contrast, when I’m able to simply “be”, I can receive the good things the Father has for me in the present moment, even in the most mundane circumstances. This is the flowerbed of gratitude, a virtue which we all unanimously prize, regardless of faith, and I am grateful for my formators at Christ in the City in Denver who introduced this practice to me, because it has been a means by which I have found a path to greater wholeness and holiness.
The core idea is that if we are more in the present moment, we are closer to God. So anything that gets us into that space is worthwhile to do. Contrary to Buddhism and other places where mindfulness practices are found, a Catholic approach seeks to fill the mind with reality through the senses, not to empty us of our unique personhood, but rather to enrich our perception of it. We do not disappear into some induced aether, but rather we see reality and ourselves in full relief and vibrancy.
I spent 20 minutes each morning before prayer working through the exercises in this book, and I found that with mindfulness, my prayer was more fruitful, my ability to connect with others and the world around me increased, and I was also physiologically more at ease, my resting heart rate even plummeted, and I have gained more attunement with my needs and with my body as a whole.
It is wild to look back and see how often my “fight/flight/freeze” system, my “doing” rather than “being” mode was kicking in in situations where there was no problem or threat of death. The modern consciousness, with its still very primal hardware, submerged in a world with complexities it hasn’t evolved for, is a breeding ground for anxiety and existential dread. In contrast, when I’m able to simply “be”, I can receive the good things the Father has for me in the present moment, even in the most mundane circumstances. This is the flowerbed of gratitude, a virtue which we all unanimously prize, regardless of faith, and I am grateful for my formators at Christ in the City in Denver who introduced this practice to me, because it has been a means by which I have found a path to greater wholeness and holiness.
September 20, 2019
Excellent, concrete and specific exercises for finding peace each moment. These are very similar to what therapists use in their secular practice, and he gives a full explanation on how to keep your practice Christian and not New Age Buddhist. The author has a doctorate as a therapist and also spent 4 years as a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal (EWTN friars) before discerning his call to marriage (which is totally allowed before final vows).
This book did wonders for my headaches, even though I only did one of the exercises consistently. I am now better at catching myself becoming tense. When that happens, I practice being present, which quickly relaxes my body, including my head. My last headache stopped quickly, and I had no headache for two weeks before that.
I found the grounding exercise (sacramental pause) and Mercy exercise very helpful. My surroundings are very noisy, and it helps to reorient myself to my body and be aware of the noise, instead of trying to ignore noise by staying busy and finding I am super-stressed anyway.
I realized that by reorienting myself to focus on my body for a few moments that I was so tense that I had never really succeeded in ignoring the noise. Now, I know I have to go on breaks outside to really be healthy. (Parents have tv on a high volume because they’re hard of hearing. The action movie sound effects are louder than in a movie theater.)
A modified version of the sacramental pause is also good for panic attacks. By modified, I mean I imagine Mama Mary there saying words of comfort since she is eternally the Queen of Peace and my mother. In short, I’m praying an Ignation meditation.
This book did wonders for my headaches, even though I only did one of the exercises consistently. I am now better at catching myself becoming tense. When that happens, I practice being present, which quickly relaxes my body, including my head. My last headache stopped quickly, and I had no headache for two weeks before that.
I found the grounding exercise (sacramental pause) and Mercy exercise very helpful. My surroundings are very noisy, and it helps to reorient myself to my body and be aware of the noise, instead of trying to ignore noise by staying busy and finding I am super-stressed anyway.
I realized that by reorienting myself to focus on my body for a few moments that I was so tense that I had never really succeeded in ignoring the noise. Now, I know I have to go on breaks outside to really be healthy. (Parents have tv on a high volume because they’re hard of hearing. The action movie sound effects are louder than in a movie theater.)
A modified version of the sacramental pause is also good for panic attacks. By modified, I mean I imagine Mama Mary there saying words of comfort since she is eternally the Queen of Peace and my mother. In short, I’m praying an Ignation meditation.
July 21, 2024
I think I’ll need to try to practice the exercises before judging the book. But I did enjoy how he laid out the psychology behind mindfulness in conjunction with Catholic theology. It was a bit repetitive in parts and I have read some concerns about mindfulness being more “eastern”. I honestly didn’t hear anything that sent up red flags. I’ll try the exercises and report back.
ETA: Second read through. I still haven’t done the exercises but am really, really going to! 🫣
ETA: Second read through. I still haven’t done the exercises but am really, really going to! 🫣
September 4, 2023
This book is awesome, full stop. I've recommended it to several people verbally, but let me just say again, regardless of your religious persuasion, read this. You're welcome.
Update: I still find the exercises helpful, but there is something both a little judgy (doubt is bad!) and a little utilitarian (mindfulness can help you be a more productive cog in the capitalist rat race!) in the tone that really bothered me this read through. 9/2023
Update: I still find the exercises helpful, but there is something both a little judgy (doubt is bad!) and a little utilitarian (mindfulness can help you be a more productive cog in the capitalist rat race!) in the tone that really bothered me this read through. 9/2023
June 4, 2023
For me, this was an okay book. Maybe because I already know about mindfulness from practice. I was looking for a stronger catholic connection. I didn't get much of it from this book. It is a nice manual type of book, with exercises to practice and even read into smaller parts. It reads like a long weekend retreat book with a small psychologist treatment.
February 29, 2024
One thing I liked about this book is that it offers online version of the meditations so you can get guided meditations and not just descriptions of the exercises. I think it may be of more use to Catholics who are looking for an introduction to mindfulness. The author describes and then introduces many of the now common or popular mindfulness exercises intermediate meditators are likely familiar with.
There is some context for Catholics who are already familiar with mindfulness, in particular a discussion of where Catholic and Buddhist thought may be considered in conflict without interfering with the ability of Catholics to take advantage of mindful practices. It also provides tools that help integrate Catholicism and mindfulness, in particular a Novena.
While it is true that reflective practice is common to many faiths, the book does feel dismissive of the connection between secular mindfulness the cultural roots it was grafted from and so does come across as appropriative. It also fails to reflect upon the ways in which existing faith traditions often adapted to the introduction (or imposition) of Catholicism. It might have been more compelling to hear a religious point of view from the catholic "universal" church around the ability of people to integrate elements of various faith traditions. But I guess that doesn't exactly toe the party line.
There is some context for Catholics who are already familiar with mindfulness, in particular a discussion of where Catholic and Buddhist thought may be considered in conflict without interfering with the ability of Catholics to take advantage of mindful practices. It also provides tools that help integrate Catholicism and mindfulness, in particular a Novena.
While it is true that reflective practice is common to many faiths, the book does feel dismissive of the connection between secular mindfulness the cultural roots it was grafted from and so does come across as appropriative. It also fails to reflect upon the ways in which existing faith traditions often adapted to the introduction (or imposition) of Catholicism. It might have been more compelling to hear a religious point of view from the catholic "universal" church around the ability of people to integrate elements of various faith traditions. But I guess that doesn't exactly toe the party line.
March 15, 2022
Un libro clarificador. Altamente recomendable para aquellas personas que les interesa la atención plena y herramientas de bienestar, autoconocimiento y regulación de estrés.
Adicionalmente a lo anterior, lo recomiendo a personas de fe cristiana católica que tengan dudas si esto es una práctica que puede converger con su fe.
El Dr. Bottaro explica de manera sencilla, entendible y clara el efecto de vivir dormidos y dormidas, el efecto de vivir nuestra vida en piloto automático y cómo podemos hacerle para voltearnos a ver, ser conscientes y despertar.
Este libro parte de la premisa de que Dios está en el presente, no en los arrepentimientos del pasado ni las angustias del futuro. Dios está aquí y ahora, y a veces por las prisas y el modo de vivir tan frenético podemos fallar en vivir en el momento presente.
Considero que este libro ilustra de manera clara cómo el vivir en el presente, conscientes y despiertos y despiertas, además de reducir el estrés y aumentar el bienestar, puede profundizar la práctica de la fe cristiana.
Adicionalmente a lo anterior, lo recomiendo a personas de fe cristiana católica que tengan dudas si esto es una práctica que puede converger con su fe.
El Dr. Bottaro explica de manera sencilla, entendible y clara el efecto de vivir dormidos y dormidas, el efecto de vivir nuestra vida en piloto automático y cómo podemos hacerle para voltearnos a ver, ser conscientes y despertar.
Este libro parte de la premisa de que Dios está en el presente, no en los arrepentimientos del pasado ni las angustias del futuro. Dios está aquí y ahora, y a veces por las prisas y el modo de vivir tan frenético podemos fallar en vivir en el momento presente.
Considero que este libro ilustra de manera clara cómo el vivir en el presente, conscientes y despiertos y despiertas, además de reducir el estrés y aumentar el bienestar, puede profundizar la práctica de la fe cristiana.
March 19, 2023
It is no accident that all of the books I have read so far this year have either taught me something or brought me joy. This book is no exception. I have learned this year about my ability to handle life's curveballs and live a life more focused on wellness. This book really helped me on this path. Mindfulness seemed a bit new-age and far-fetched to me. However, this book, which couples it with my faith, has really helped me to learn to live a more mindful life. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to learn to live in the present and sometimes just let yourself BE for a little while.
"There is actually a lot to do here in this world, but it is not the kind of achievement that we often think. Our one task our one goal, the whole purpose, meaning and secret of our lives, is to learn how to fully trust God. Trusting God is everything......Total surrender is the solution. It is the secret to happiness and holiness. It is the only thing that matters......"
AMEN!!
"There is actually a lot to do here in this world, but it is not the kind of achievement that we often think. Our one task our one goal, the whole purpose, meaning and secret of our lives, is to learn how to fully trust God. Trusting God is everything......Total surrender is the solution. It is the secret to happiness and holiness. It is the only thing that matters......"
AMEN!!
May 24, 2018
I loved this book and continue to think about concepts, going back from time to revisit the ideas. There is this debate over the Catholicity of mindfulness, but it is, as Bottaro says, awareness of the present moment in order to see what it holds. This is a human action and necessary because we engage with the world through our senses. Mindfulness helps us to be aware (mindful) of what we experience in a given moment when it's so easy to brush through the moments not feeling a thing. It is how we can be more human, because we are body and soul. The end goal, not emptiness, but to be more and more aware of God and all he has to offer.
Bottaro offers straightforward steps to grow in mindfulness from the field of psychology. The second half of the book, we see the exercises become distinctly Catholic. Throughout he addresses obstacles we might face in the process of becoming more mindful.
Bottaro offers straightforward steps to grow in mindfulness from the field of psychology. The second half of the book, we see the exercises become distinctly Catholic. Throughout he addresses obstacles we might face in the process of becoming more mindful.
May 28, 2021
The idea of "mindfulness" has been popping up here and there a lot for me this year. In care of my own mental health and particularly as I dive head first into a career as a mental health worker. Looking at mindfulness from a Catholic approach really spoke to me and paired nicely with the exploration of mindfulness I've been doing through other approaches (DBT, etc). Additionally, I found the presentation of the material very well done.
This book at times was difficult for me to pick up, whether it be the difficulty of letting go of my own busy life to make time to read or the challenge of confronting my own thoughts and anxieties. However, it's definitely one I will keep on hand for my own care and as I continue to delevop my niche as a therapist for both secular and Christian groups.
This book at times was difficult for me to pick up, whether it be the difficulty of letting go of my own busy life to make time to read or the challenge of confronting my own thoughts and anxieties. However, it's definitely one I will keep on hand for my own care and as I continue to delevop my niche as a therapist for both secular and Christian groups.
November 24, 2023
In a world full of chaos, stress, and the many daily distractions we face, it can be hard for us to just stay still and rest in the presence of God. In his debut novel, Catholic psychologist Dr. Gregory Bottaro of the CatholicPsych Institute presents a simple but powerful guide to practicing Catholic mindfulness and spending time with the One who made us.
Using personal anecdotes, psychological theories, and effective Catholic mindfulness exercises, Dr. Bottaro highlights the often-overlooked interconnectedness of spirituality and mental health. After reading this book, Catholics will have a toolbox of resources to aid them in their mental wellbeing and to improve their relationship with God.
Using personal anecdotes, psychological theories, and effective Catholic mindfulness exercises, Dr. Bottaro highlights the often-overlooked interconnectedness of spirituality and mental health. After reading this book, Catholics will have a toolbox of resources to aid them in their mental wellbeing and to improve their relationship with God.
February 10, 2024
Lifechanging. Mindfulness is exactly what I need and exactly what everyone needs. Practical and phycological, but rooted in the reality that trusting God is the only thing that matters. An antidote to anxiety, stress, worry, distractedness, feeling overwhelmed, like you can't focus on anything, that you can't remember anything. Jesus is the antidote to these things but mindfulness connects the dots. I didn't go that hard with the exercises in here, it was so much to just read it and ponder it and I was copying about half the book into my journal. I will be returning to this soon and going harder on the exercises, I can't wait. Mindfulness is difficult but I'm so excited to see my life change as I implement more and more of it. God is in the now.
June 27, 2024
Reading this book along with putting into practice the mindfulness activities has changed my life in such a wonderful way. I am able to see things and enjoy life more fully. The reading was easy to understand and the exercises well written to help you understand what to do. I was grateful I had access to the audio for the exercise so that I was guided during them. I highly recommend this book for anyone that deals with stress, anxiety, worry and just daily life. I feel like my eyes have been opened to a new was of living and seeing! I’m now working on the children’s book with my kids to help them learn how to be mindful in their daily lives.
December 11, 2018
I learned a few new techniques on how to be mindful. Interesting topic. I found myself chuckling at the mention of pulling up your phone to do something and automatically checking your email instead and forgetting what you were originally supposed to do. Nice tie in with science and how routine can help us be more efficient but the downside is automatic action without thinking. I don't regret reading the book and I would recommend if someone is very interested in mindfulness but for the casual reader, look elsewhere. At times, I found the subject a bit repetitive. But again, not bad!
April 6, 2024
What I took away from this book was that peace in this life IS possible and that stress and anxiety and to-do’s and negative thought patterns do not have to be in control of your life. Sometimes I feel like I’m sleepwalking through life and this book helped me gain some habits to work on being more present to the moment, which is something I am always wanting to be better at. Finally, I took away the truth that taking care of yourself and having mercy on yourself are essential to growing closer to God and becoming the person you’re meant to be. Loved this book.
May 21, 2025
Read this with our Teams of Our Lady group. While I didn't take the opportunity to do the included exercises, I appreciated the book for what it is, and especially for its contribution toward keeping Catholics from straying into Eastern religions or New Age beliefs and/or practices. For that alone, I gave it the 4th star. I would have preferred a more varied vocabulary (repeated use of the word "playfulness" for example), and I wish it could have shown even more clearly how the practice of mindfulness is innkeeping with authentic Christian spirituality.
March 29, 2019
4.5 stars
I wish I had the time to read this more leisurely than I did (one of the downsides of borrowing from the library; free but you can't keep books forever). I do think this is useful and it helps to actually do the exercises. Bottaro also grounds everything in the Catholic faith so you don't have anything to worry about.
I wish I had the time to read this more leisurely than I did (one of the downsides of borrowing from the library; free but you can't keep books forever). I do think this is useful and it helps to actually do the exercises. Bottaro also grounds everything in the Catholic faith so you don't have anything to worry about.
June 14, 2021
This book helped me remain calm when I feel myself overcome in anger and bad moods. I read it first, and then the second time I did the exerices, getting the auto to help me with the prayers.
However, I kind of prayer in this way anyway, but was good to try a few different things.
I know this book will help others out their who have minds like mine - racing everywhere and don't shut down.
However, I kind of prayer in this way anyway, but was good to try a few different things.
I know this book will help others out their who have minds like mine - racing everywhere and don't shut down.
June 29, 2021
It wasn’t bad. I’m still working on the concept. So I might improve my rating later. You’d have to read the book to understand. It’s not a perfect interface Buddhist meditation and Catholic prayer so be advised. This is meditation as technology, As a tool. Not spirituality. And then he adds faith as a catholic. And I’m rooting for the merger!! Not a perfect interface.
July 20, 2021
Life-changing for any Christian. I had no idea how much anxiety I was carrying around until I began practicing Christian mindfulness. Suddenly, I “find” more time for my spiritual life, am present with God in every moment, end am far less stressed about what is to come. Definitely a book to which I will return.
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