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The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints
Latter-day Saints are great at getting things done. But for some, an over-emphasis on “doing” can cause us to go through the motions and miss the deep, rich spiritual power that can come from being still. Sometimes, we try to dig ourselves out of feeling spiritually drained by doing more. When that doesn’t work, we can feel stuck—and arrive at one of two conclusions: the Church “formula”’ isn’t working so it must have been wrong to begin with, or maybe something is wrong with us?
There is a third alternative—that our spirituality could reignite by approaching it from a more “mindful” place. When it feels like we’re on a runaway train, mindfulness returns us to a peaceful place where we can observe our thoughts and feelings without jumping on board with them. Using Latter-day Saint vernacular and examples, The Power of Stillness explores the ways in which mindfulness can deepen testimonies of the gospel. Practicing mindful principles can reinvigorate the joy inherent in our faith and helps us feel calmer, more present and engaged in our lives, and more spiritually connected to our Savior.
There is a third alternative—that our spirituality could reignite by approaching it from a more “mindful” place. When it feels like we’re on a runaway train, mindfulness returns us to a peaceful place where we can observe our thoughts and feelings without jumping on board with them. Using Latter-day Saint vernacular and examples, The Power of Stillness explores the ways in which mindfulness can deepen testimonies of the gospel. Practicing mindful principles can reinvigorate the joy inherent in our faith and helps us feel calmer, more present and engaged in our lives, and more spiritually connected to our Savior.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
296 people are currently reading
1836 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews
June 15, 2020
This audio version of the book is an excellent example of why authors should not narrate their own book. There are exceptions, of course, but as one reader commented in her review, due to the male (author) narrator's monotone voice and very slow reading she would "recommend it only as a CURE FOR INSOMNIA." The female reader is much easier on the ears and on the brain, but after listening to 1/2 the book, for me that still was not enough to continue. So I did NOT finish.
The content of the book is good, and may be helpful for someone who is way-to-busy trying to be everything to everyone, or for someone whose current cup-of-tea is the very popular current trend of practicing &/or reading about the benefits of meditation, but I would not recommend it for the non-LDS reader. Your mileage may vary.
The content of the book is good, and may be helpful for someone who is way-to-busy trying to be everything to everyone, or for someone whose current cup-of-tea is the very popular current trend of practicing &/or reading about the benefits of meditation, but I would not recommend it for the non-LDS reader. Your mileage may vary.
January 30, 2020
For me, this book was a series of powerful epiphanies about how meditation can intersect beautifully with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is full of great quotes, paradigm-shifting ways to think about our religious "to do lists" and anecdotes/role plays.
I listened to the audio, but kept wanting to refer back to sections I'd heard, so I bought the ebook version as well.
This book is perfect timing for members of our faith who are looking to go the next level in praying, in personal revelation, in the new youth/children personal development program.
It felt like nourishment to my soul. I really hope I can succeed in continuing some of the changes I've made in my desires to be present in the moment with my family and friends, learn to avoid the endless allure of my cell-phone with its updates, and bring my mind back over and over again to what I'm doing whether it's listening to a less than interesting speaker at church, studying the scriptures, or praying and listening for answers.
I highly recommend this book. I'll be gifting it to family and friends this year.
I listened to the audio, but kept wanting to refer back to sections I'd heard, so I bought the ebook version as well.
This book is perfect timing for members of our faith who are looking to go the next level in praying, in personal revelation, in the new youth/children personal development program.
It felt like nourishment to my soul. I really hope I can succeed in continuing some of the changes I've made in my desires to be present in the moment with my family and friends, learn to avoid the endless allure of my cell-phone with its updates, and bring my mind back over and over again to what I'm doing whether it's listening to a less than interesting speaker at church, studying the scriptures, or praying and listening for answers.
I highly recommend this book. I'll be gifting it to family and friends this year.
April 29, 2020
"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." -D&C 123:17
For every Latter-day Saint who has felt overwhelmed at all the good things they need to get done -- prayer, scripture study, temple attendance, serving in their calling, ministering, etc. -- this book offers an approach to gospel living using the principles of mindfulness and meditation. I read an excerpt of this book in an LDS Living article ("Avoiding Spiritual Burnout: Slowing Down and Finding Personal Serenity") and I loved the principles in it: that our worship should be seen as opportunities to pause and find rest in the Lord, not as an item in our to-do list to check off.
I really loved the chapter on prayer. If you've tried meditating before, you know that when you find your mind wandering, you're supposed to refocus on the breath without judgment. We can do the same thing in prayer: "if the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently and replace it tenderly in its Master's presence" (p. 48). We should expect that our mind and heart will wander, and instead of shamefully berating ourselves about it and quickly closing our prayer so that we're not tempted to let our minds wander again, we should just practice bringing our attention back to God. With every prayer, we learn to "re-tie" ourselves back to God (p. 50).
There is also a lot of this book that talks about learning to tolerate discomfort and conflict. We're asked to do this a lot in religion (fasting, for example), but often we don't see it that way because we think religion is always supposed to bring us happiness. But these authors argue that some pain is normal and we should allow it to be: "do not try to settle the dust. Do not rush to resolve the inner conflict. Do not seek a glib, quick answer, but leave all things for awhile in the silent space" (p. 69).
The second half of the book turns its focus from the self to focus on relationships. There are chapters on improving relationships with those in our congregations, with our spouse, and with our children. Admittedly this piece didn't resonate with me quite as strongly, though I can't quite put my finger on why. Maybe it's just that I need a lot of practice in this area? I almost never lash out in my relationships but often bury my hurt, causing resentment, in an effort to be tolerant. I think I just need more practice on sitting with discomfort, maybe.
At any rate, this book -- particularly the beginning chapters -- is so fantastic that I'm happily recommending it to all my friends.
A few more quotes/notes:
"There are moments in our lives when we are confronted with a cacophony of noise and demanding voices. For contemporary Saints, it's no longer a literal mob scene demanding our attention, although intensifying schedules and busyness can start to feel like one." (p. 2)
We have become human doers instead of human beings. (p. 15)
"Consider experiences like church and temple attendance, partaking of the sacrament, and prayer as opportunities to stop doing." (p. 23)
"There's a power in regular, even ritualistic observance -- yielding to a set way of going through something that creates a rhythm and muscle memory. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has pointed out, the word 'religion' comes from the Latin word 'religare,' meaning 'to tie' or, more literally, 'to re-tie.' We might think of each prayer offered potentially tying and binding us closer to God." (p. 50)
"Do not try to settle the dust. Do not rush to resolve the innter conflict. Do not seek a glib, quick answer, but leave all things for awhile in the silent space." (p. 69) (Richard Rohr)
God is with us now, if we let Him abide with us. "For Saints, God is the Great I Am, not only the Great I Was or Will Be -- a God who lives with us in the here and now." (p. 103)
"Mindfulness for Latter-day Saints is not simply about stillness or quieting down for the sake of being still, even being still for the sake of knowing God, though these are certainly part of it. It's also about slowing down and being still so we can be present with ourselves and with each other -- to experience a deeper kind of intimacy with one another -- to really see and know one another." (p. 111)
"We experience intamacy, or 'into me see,' when we let others see our innermost selves ... and when we allow ourselves to fully see and know others. (p. 112)
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable." (p. 113) (David W. Angsburger)
"To be loved and not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us." (p. 114) (Timothy Keller)
"In the ward, there must be difficult people. These difficult people are a good thing for you -- they will test your capacity to build Zion and practice Christlike love." (p. 117) (adapted from Thich Nhat Hanh)
Regarding self-improvement and the quest for discipleship:
"Rather than trying to become something completely different than we ever have been previously, this is about a radical restoration to who we really are as literal children of Heavenly Parents." (p. 125)
Tips for marriage:
-beware of "shoulds" and expectations
-give spouse space to be a human being
-let mindfulness include spouse (it doesn't have to be solo)
-be a good spouse because you promised
-there are many "perpetual," unsolvable problems in marriage; learn how to "hold marital tension" by diluting it (like the vial of poison in the freshwater lake)
Tips for parenting:
-build in times for stillness
-be present and not distracted by devices
-seek small pockets of rest
-understand that it's okay for kids to be bored/mad/hungry/etc.; they are learning to tolerate discomfort within the safety of their family
-When we do things that are hard (e.g., family scripture study), the process of starting, restarting, and restating again can be a valuable teaching tool
-Look at noise and distraction of family life as part of our mindfulness practice
-Quiet time not as punishment but something desired and necessary
"As we look out at a world increasingly in commotion, we who identify as Saints feel a natural urgency to tend to the needs of others. And so, we rightfully roll up our sleeves and get to work -- seeking ways to comfort hearts, life heads, and serve others as we share the hope of the gospel. As part of that hope, and part of that joy, we would encourage Saints as a community to also share this mindful dimension of what the scriptures call the 'rest of the Lord.' (Alma 13:16)." (p. 196)
"In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)
For every Latter-day Saint who has felt overwhelmed at all the good things they need to get done -- prayer, scripture study, temple attendance, serving in their calling, ministering, etc. -- this book offers an approach to gospel living using the principles of mindfulness and meditation. I read an excerpt of this book in an LDS Living article ("Avoiding Spiritual Burnout: Slowing Down and Finding Personal Serenity") and I loved the principles in it: that our worship should be seen as opportunities to pause and find rest in the Lord, not as an item in our to-do list to check off.
I really loved the chapter on prayer. If you've tried meditating before, you know that when you find your mind wandering, you're supposed to refocus on the breath without judgment. We can do the same thing in prayer: "if the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently and replace it tenderly in its Master's presence" (p. 48). We should expect that our mind and heart will wander, and instead of shamefully berating ourselves about it and quickly closing our prayer so that we're not tempted to let our minds wander again, we should just practice bringing our attention back to God. With every prayer, we learn to "re-tie" ourselves back to God (p. 50).
There is also a lot of this book that talks about learning to tolerate discomfort and conflict. We're asked to do this a lot in religion (fasting, for example), but often we don't see it that way because we think religion is always supposed to bring us happiness. But these authors argue that some pain is normal and we should allow it to be: "do not try to settle the dust. Do not rush to resolve the inner conflict. Do not seek a glib, quick answer, but leave all things for awhile in the silent space" (p. 69).
The second half of the book turns its focus from the self to focus on relationships. There are chapters on improving relationships with those in our congregations, with our spouse, and with our children. Admittedly this piece didn't resonate with me quite as strongly, though I can't quite put my finger on why. Maybe it's just that I need a lot of practice in this area? I almost never lash out in my relationships but often bury my hurt, causing resentment, in an effort to be tolerant. I think I just need more practice on sitting with discomfort, maybe.
At any rate, this book -- particularly the beginning chapters -- is so fantastic that I'm happily recommending it to all my friends.
A few more quotes/notes:
"There are moments in our lives when we are confronted with a cacophony of noise and demanding voices. For contemporary Saints, it's no longer a literal mob scene demanding our attention, although intensifying schedules and busyness can start to feel like one." (p. 2)
We have become human doers instead of human beings. (p. 15)
"Consider experiences like church and temple attendance, partaking of the sacrament, and prayer as opportunities to stop doing." (p. 23)
"There's a power in regular, even ritualistic observance -- yielding to a set way of going through something that creates a rhythm and muscle memory. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has pointed out, the word 'religion' comes from the Latin word 'religare,' meaning 'to tie' or, more literally, 'to re-tie.' We might think of each prayer offered potentially tying and binding us closer to God." (p. 50)
"Do not try to settle the dust. Do not rush to resolve the innter conflict. Do not seek a glib, quick answer, but leave all things for awhile in the silent space." (p. 69) (Richard Rohr)
God is with us now, if we let Him abide with us. "For Saints, God is the Great I Am, not only the Great I Was or Will Be -- a God who lives with us in the here and now." (p. 103)
"Mindfulness for Latter-day Saints is not simply about stillness or quieting down for the sake of being still, even being still for the sake of knowing God, though these are certainly part of it. It's also about slowing down and being still so we can be present with ourselves and with each other -- to experience a deeper kind of intimacy with one another -- to really see and know one another." (p. 111)
"We experience intamacy, or 'into me see,' when we let others see our innermost selves ... and when we allow ourselves to fully see and know others. (p. 112)
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable." (p. 113) (David W. Angsburger)
"To be loved and not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us." (p. 114) (Timothy Keller)
"In the ward, there must be difficult people. These difficult people are a good thing for you -- they will test your capacity to build Zion and practice Christlike love." (p. 117) (adapted from Thich Nhat Hanh)
Regarding self-improvement and the quest for discipleship:
"Rather than trying to become something completely different than we ever have been previously, this is about a radical restoration to who we really are as literal children of Heavenly Parents." (p. 125)
Tips for marriage:
-beware of "shoulds" and expectations
-give spouse space to be a human being
-let mindfulness include spouse (it doesn't have to be solo)
-be a good spouse because you promised
-there are many "perpetual," unsolvable problems in marriage; learn how to "hold marital tension" by diluting it (like the vial of poison in the freshwater lake)
Tips for parenting:
-build in times for stillness
-be present and not distracted by devices
-seek small pockets of rest
-understand that it's okay for kids to be bored/mad/hungry/etc.; they are learning to tolerate discomfort within the safety of their family
-When we do things that are hard (e.g., family scripture study), the process of starting, restarting, and restating again can be a valuable teaching tool
-Look at noise and distraction of family life as part of our mindfulness practice
-Quiet time not as punishment but something desired and necessary
"As we look out at a world increasingly in commotion, we who identify as Saints feel a natural urgency to tend to the needs of others. And so, we rightfully roll up our sleeves and get to work -- seeking ways to comfort hearts, life heads, and serve others as we share the hope of the gospel. As part of that hope, and part of that joy, we would encourage Saints as a community to also share this mindful dimension of what the scriptures call the 'rest of the Lord.' (Alma 13:16)." (p. 196)
"In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)
March 24, 2020
What if every Sacrament meeting, every prayer, every temple session, every moment of life could become a meditation? Well, it can. This book right here is exactly what we all need.
I started a daily meditation practice a few months ago and eagerly saw principles of meditation that tied to gospel living. I tried to find meditations that were framed around Latter-day Saint beliefs, and then lo and behold, this book was published! It is so well-written and thorough and beautiful. I have not yet found words to appropriately articulate how much we can each benefit from finding more stillness in every day and especially in gospel living. The whole gospel plan is one of constant returning to Him, just as a meditation is returning to the breath or home base over and over and over again, non judgmentally and patiently. This book puts words to many of my thoughts and gives many practical ideas on where to start intentionally implementing principles of mindfulness. It is a springboard to finding your own way of incorporating these ideas, not a guidebook that feels at all forced.
I started a daily meditation practice a few months ago and eagerly saw principles of meditation that tied to gospel living. I tried to find meditations that were framed around Latter-day Saint beliefs, and then lo and behold, this book was published! It is so well-written and thorough and beautiful. I have not yet found words to appropriately articulate how much we can each benefit from finding more stillness in every day and especially in gospel living. The whole gospel plan is one of constant returning to Him, just as a meditation is returning to the breath or home base over and over and over again, non judgmentally and patiently. This book puts words to many of my thoughts and gives many practical ideas on where to start intentionally implementing principles of mindfulness. It is a springboard to finding your own way of incorporating these ideas, not a guidebook that feels at all forced.
April 5, 2020
Contains lots of practical advice and info for incorporating stillness and meditation in daily life. Uses terms many LDS folks may not be familiar with but should know if they’ve studied the scriptures carefully.
July 24, 2025
There are some great ideas here, but I think it would make a better talk. I feel that they crammed about 30 minutes worth of information into a 240-page book. Also, I listened to the book at double speed. The narrator is the author, who happens to be Julia's brother. His voice is very soothing, fitting for this type of book. Still, it was a little hard for me to listen to.
May 20, 2020
I really hated the way this book made me feel. I felt inadequate in ever way possible. I don’t think we are suppose to feel this way when we are trying our best.
March 14, 2025
There's a whole lot of wisdom and spiritual mentorship in this slim volume. I'll be returning to this and recommending it widely.
November 11, 2020
I loved this book. An interesting take on stillness and meditation and I loved the concepts of thoughts as flowing river and not gospel/truth. I like the overall message. Some of the churchy cheesiness has to be breezed over, but I really loved the ideas.
I listened to it, but probably would have preferred to read a hard copy. A few of my favorite snippets below:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Beware of the barrenness of a busy life.”
-Socrates
Doing more flattens worship.
God doesn’t burn out or use up one person to save another. That’s just not God’s economy.
-Wendy Ulrich
When we serve or take on more than God has actually assigned us, without acknowledging our limits and needs for rest. We are demonstrating a distrust in God’s ability to handle it without our help. He calls rest an exercise in trust. He has already appointed his Messiah. He did not appoint you.
-Pastor Christopher Ash
Recognizing thoughts as thoughts rather than an indicator of reality or self can provide assurance and clarity in the often challenging journey of seeking to discern truth. Rather than living by every thought that proceeds forth of out of our head, we can increasingly live by every word that proceeds from God.
Spirituality is not just the happy moments when we feel good and are on track. Some of the deepest, richest, most spiritual righteous moments are moments of darkness, abandonment and injury.
Never once have we experienced God fuming at our weakness. Or barking at us like a drill sargent. Instead, just like meditators bring the attention back to the breath over and over. We’ve found ourselves openly encouraged after falling short to bring our heart and mind back to Him over and over. He helps us rise and rise again. Learning and growing until we push past internal barriers and break new ground that we can stand in for good. “I will make all things new.”
It’s in our messes that we find him.
Every moment is one of reconciliation, redemption and beginning.
I listened to it, but probably would have preferred to read a hard copy. A few of my favorite snippets below:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Beware of the barrenness of a busy life.”
-Socrates
Doing more flattens worship.
God doesn’t burn out or use up one person to save another. That’s just not God’s economy.
-Wendy Ulrich
When we serve or take on more than God has actually assigned us, without acknowledging our limits and needs for rest. We are demonstrating a distrust in God’s ability to handle it without our help. He calls rest an exercise in trust. He has already appointed his Messiah. He did not appoint you.
-Pastor Christopher Ash
Recognizing thoughts as thoughts rather than an indicator of reality or self can provide assurance and clarity in the often challenging journey of seeking to discern truth. Rather than living by every thought that proceeds forth of out of our head, we can increasingly live by every word that proceeds from God.
Spirituality is not just the happy moments when we feel good and are on track. Some of the deepest, richest, most spiritual righteous moments are moments of darkness, abandonment and injury.
Never once have we experienced God fuming at our weakness. Or barking at us like a drill sargent. Instead, just like meditators bring the attention back to the breath over and over. We’ve found ourselves openly encouraged after falling short to bring our heart and mind back to Him over and over. He helps us rise and rise again. Learning and growing until we push past internal barriers and break new ground that we can stand in for good. “I will make all things new.”
It’s in our messes that we find him.
Every moment is one of reconciliation, redemption and beginning.
September 13, 2023
From this very first sentence: “There’s so much good in the gospel. What’s wrong with me that I feel so burned out?” I knew this was the book I needed to read in my life right now. It’s hard to explain but sometimes some books just have a way to heal my wounded heart- and this was one of them. There were so many great quotes from so many different sources on how the pure point of all of our “to dos” is to put us in places where we remember who we really are, how we can incrementally process, and help us continually anchor and communicate with Deity. This book has helped inspire me to pick up my meditation practice again and to really hone in on the “why” behind practicing our religion.
“Unsurprisingly, such a consuming focus on doing more (and more) can create an impoverished experience of faith, characterized by superficial motions that drain the joy from worship. We sometimes try to dig ourselves out of feeling spiritually drained by doing (even) more.”
“Rather than something to “finish,” prayer can thus become a sacred practice of personal retreat. Instead of something to “get through,” scripture study can be a divine communion assisted by His words. And the Sabbath itself can become a relished mindfulness retreat happening each week, right within the walls of our own homes and chapels.”
“Never once have we experienced God fuming at our weakness or barking at us like a drill sergeant. Instead, just like meditators bring the attention back to the breath, over and over, we’ve found ourselves openly encouraged after falling short to bring our heart and mind back to Him, over and over. He helps us rise and rise again, learning and growing until we push past internal barriers and break new ground that we can stand on for good.”
“It’s here and now—in our messes—where we can find Him, with every moment potentially becoming one of reconciliation, reunion, and beginning: each in-breath, a new beginning . . . each out-breath, a complete letting go.”
“After we have “cheerfully [done] all things that lie in our power,” the Lord might be inviting us to a task even more difficult than increasing our efforts: namely, to “stand still” (D&C 123:17). “Be still,” He says, “and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).”
“Unsurprisingly, such a consuming focus on doing more (and more) can create an impoverished experience of faith, characterized by superficial motions that drain the joy from worship. We sometimes try to dig ourselves out of feeling spiritually drained by doing (even) more.”
“Rather than something to “finish,” prayer can thus become a sacred practice of personal retreat. Instead of something to “get through,” scripture study can be a divine communion assisted by His words. And the Sabbath itself can become a relished mindfulness retreat happening each week, right within the walls of our own homes and chapels.”
“Never once have we experienced God fuming at our weakness or barking at us like a drill sergeant. Instead, just like meditators bring the attention back to the breath, over and over, we’ve found ourselves openly encouraged after falling short to bring our heart and mind back to Him, over and over. He helps us rise and rise again, learning and growing until we push past internal barriers and break new ground that we can stand on for good.”
“It’s here and now—in our messes—where we can find Him, with every moment potentially becoming one of reconciliation, reunion, and beginning: each in-breath, a new beginning . . . each out-breath, a complete letting go.”
“After we have “cheerfully [done] all things that lie in our power,” the Lord might be inviting us to a task even more difficult than increasing our efforts: namely, to “stand still” (D&C 123:17). “Be still,” He says, “and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).”
January 30, 2022
Honestly, one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, and one I will revisit often. I love reading about mindfulness and to have a resource about mindfulness applied to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doctrine and through a Saint lens is so wonderful. I related to so many examples and have benefited from many of their suggestions/practices. I really really recommend it for people of my faith.
October 17, 2025
I read this slowly so I could implement things as I went, and I absolutely loved it. This book is all about making spirituality less about checking practices off a to-do list, and more about being present with God. I thought most of it was really helpful and interesting.
I’ll note just one thing that has really stuck with me:
The book remarks on an exchange between Mother Teresa and an interviewer. Noting her practice of praying, the interviewer asks, “When you pray, what do you say to God?”
Mother Teresa replies, “I don’t say anything, I listen.”
The interviewer then asks, “Well okay, when God speaks to you, then, what does he say?”
She smiles and replies, “He listens”.
I honestly felt my mindset shift in really positive ways while reading this, and I liked almost everything it explored (with a couple of minor exceptions here and there which just didn’t resonate with me). I totally recommend this book!
I’ll note just one thing that has really stuck with me:
The book remarks on an exchange between Mother Teresa and an interviewer. Noting her practice of praying, the interviewer asks, “When you pray, what do you say to God?”
Mother Teresa replies, “I don’t say anything, I listen.”
The interviewer then asks, “Well okay, when God speaks to you, then, what does he say?”
She smiles and replies, “He listens”.
I honestly felt my mindset shift in really positive ways while reading this, and I liked almost everything it explored (with a couple of minor exceptions here and there which just didn’t resonate with me). I totally recommend this book!
April 26, 2021
I loved reading The Power of Stillness! I read one chapter each week and tried to incorporate the teaching from that chapter into my week. I really enjoyed learning about mindfulness and how the principles of mindfulness fit nicely into everyday gospel practice. It’s something I want to continue working on.
April 6, 2020
This book is just what i needed! I loved it all and felt like it was so profound during our time in quarantine. I loved learning about methods i could practice in regards to being mindful, still and also meditation. I have already started doing some of the suggestions and have really benefited from them. I highly suggest this to anyone who needs a gentle reminder to be present, still and calm in times of distraction and turmoil.
June 26, 2024
“Just like meditators bring the attention back to the breath, over and over, we’ve found ourselves openly encouraged after falling short to bring our heart and mind back to Him, over and over. He helps us rise and rise again, learning and growing until we push past internal barriers and break new ground that we can stand on for good.”
December 8, 2020
Really loved the last 2 or 3 chapters! I think I could have gotten a lot more out of this book if the chapters were broken up in a different way and if the language was a little more direct. I think I would have finished it much faster that way.
(But maybe it's just because I'm so used to audiobooks these days and my baby kept stealing my bookmark 😅)
(But maybe it's just because I'm so used to audiobooks these days and my baby kept stealing my bookmark 😅)
April 26, 2024
Absolutely loved this book!! So many good insights! Would read again and hope to own it.
May 20, 2024
I could read this book repeatedly. It is packed with well thought out writings by various authors that are significant and impactful. Each author brings different angles and knowledge that makes this a fun and enlightening read. A must read in my book.
June 11, 2020
Good reminder of the importance of stillness, unrushed prayer, and meditation in our busy lives, which will help us feel calm and peaceful.
Listened on Deseret Bookshelf.
Listened on Deseret Bookshelf.
August 6, 2021
This took me a while to get through, but I really enjoyed the content. There are a lot of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints who could really benefit from this perspective on worship and working to become like Christ.
August 23, 2020
A very thoughtful reminder of the importance of quiet time and individual reflection. I was intrigued by the observation makes of how intentionally still, and thoughtful Jesus Christ was. There were many examples of this in his life.
I was deeply impacted by the quote referred to in the book by Mother Teresa.
Dan Rather, CBS television interviewer, asked Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “When you pray, what do you say to God?”
Teresa: “I don’t say anything, I listen.”
Rather: “Well okay … when God speaks to you, then, what does he say?”
Teresa: “He doesn’t say anything. He listens. … And if you don’t understand that, I can’t explain it to you.”
There is a power in stillness, where the infinite can be uncovered, and true connection with God is found.
I was deeply impacted by the quote referred to in the book by Mother Teresa.
Dan Rather, CBS television interviewer, asked Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “When you pray, what do you say to God?”
Teresa: “I don’t say anything, I listen.”
Rather: “Well okay … when God speaks to you, then, what does he say?”
Teresa: “He doesn’t say anything. He listens. … And if you don’t understand that, I can’t explain it to you.”
There is a power in stillness, where the infinite can be uncovered, and true connection with God is found.
July 23, 2020
Wow! I loved this book. This book is written for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. I thought this book had a lot of very useful, practical advice. I read through this book slowly and took time to think and apply the principles I was learning. Because of that, this has been my favorite read of 2020 so far. I have started to build in some meditation time during my day and I have noticed some big changes in how I feel and act. I will reread this book again in the near future to refresh all that I’ve learned. What a great read!
June 27, 2024
Is it too early in the year to proclaim a book the best book I've read this year?? This was amazing, and I can't wait to buy it on Amazon tomorrow. Maybe it's just the stage of life I'm in right now, but I really feel changed. For me, it was almost like my spirituality software was just updated to the next version (hyperbole maybe?). I have been actively practicing mediation as a part of my religious worship for several years, but at times, it feels as if I have been alone in my "testimony" of its importance for my health--spiritual, emotional, and physical. I was so thrilled to learn about this book, written by experts in the fields of mindfulness, psychology, and family therapy. As a resource, it far outpaced my expectations, and I marked it up; some chapters were as yellow as black and white. I highly recommend this to any member of my church or to other Christian churches. I dearly appreciated the inclusion of counsel and guidance from multiple faiths including Buddhism, Catholicism, etc.
Here are just some of the dozens of passages that I highlighted:
"Many voices from the world in which we live tell us we should live at a frantic pace. There is always more to do and more to accomplish, yet deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity PREVAIL, a place where we can reset, regroup, and reenergize to prepare for future pressures."
"This requires a release. Rest is an exercise in trust. After all, in all your duties and responsibilities, you must remember: God already appointed His Messiah, and He did not appoint you to save the whole world."
"I think I am trying to grow in just being there. Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter, you are just there, and you don't have to be smart or eloquent or do anything; the fire just warms you. Just sit with the Lord and let Him warm you. Just let that moment be one of rest and refreshing and reassurance and renewal. (Desmond Tutu)
"When compared with a 'make it go away prayer', the 'mighty prayer' involves full presence; we are authentic and real with Him, even about our pain--but we are also quiet, humble, and reverent in His presence. . . rather than a duty or something to get done, prayer can thus become a communing act of intimacy. Instead of an instrumental tool toward our favorite ends and agendas, this kind of prayer becomes a unification or at-one-ment, a way to consistently bring our heart and mind into alignment with God's, over and over, prayer by prayer."
"We often narrowly define 'spiritual experiences' as predictable and pretty encounters with the light. But a lot of spiritual growth is not soft and fuzzy; it's hard... When a spiritual wrestle is intense, perhaps the greatest challenge is simply staying present."
"Forever is composed of nows." (Emily Dickinson)
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, the are almost indistinguishable." (David Augsburger)
"This journey continues for all of us in a world increasingly agitated by an accelerating 'war of words and tumult of opinions' and an expanding 'scene of great confusion and bad feeling.' Within such a world, it has become no simple matter to figure out how to make enough space for our own opportunities to sit quietly at the Savior's feet."
"Far beyond mere passivity or resignation, stillness can help give birth to new depths of power and comfort. In the space of a refreshing Sabbath, the quiet of communing prayer, and the stillness of temple retreat, something beautiful can happen. Let us pause, and wait, and watch in a place of quiet stillness for the Lord to do His wonders among us."
Here are just some of the dozens of passages that I highlighted:
"Many voices from the world in which we live tell us we should live at a frantic pace. There is always more to do and more to accomplish, yet deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity PREVAIL, a place where we can reset, regroup, and reenergize to prepare for future pressures."
"This requires a release. Rest is an exercise in trust. After all, in all your duties and responsibilities, you must remember: God already appointed His Messiah, and He did not appoint you to save the whole world."
"I think I am trying to grow in just being there. Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter, you are just there, and you don't have to be smart or eloquent or do anything; the fire just warms you. Just sit with the Lord and let Him warm you. Just let that moment be one of rest and refreshing and reassurance and renewal. (Desmond Tutu)
"When compared with a 'make it go away prayer', the 'mighty prayer' involves full presence; we are authentic and real with Him, even about our pain--but we are also quiet, humble, and reverent in His presence. . . rather than a duty or something to get done, prayer can thus become a communing act of intimacy. Instead of an instrumental tool toward our favorite ends and agendas, this kind of prayer becomes a unification or at-one-ment, a way to consistently bring our heart and mind into alignment with God's, over and over, prayer by prayer."
"We often narrowly define 'spiritual experiences' as predictable and pretty encounters with the light. But a lot of spiritual growth is not soft and fuzzy; it's hard... When a spiritual wrestle is intense, perhaps the greatest challenge is simply staying present."
"Forever is composed of nows." (Emily Dickinson)
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, the are almost indistinguishable." (David Augsburger)
"This journey continues for all of us in a world increasingly agitated by an accelerating 'war of words and tumult of opinions' and an expanding 'scene of great confusion and bad feeling.' Within such a world, it has become no simple matter to figure out how to make enough space for our own opportunities to sit quietly at the Savior's feet."
"Far beyond mere passivity or resignation, stillness can help give birth to new depths of power and comfort. In the space of a refreshing Sabbath, the quiet of communing prayer, and the stillness of temple retreat, something beautiful can happen. Let us pause, and wait, and watch in a place of quiet stillness for the Lord to do His wonders among us."
April 14, 2020
How is this simultaneously the best parenting book, marriage book, mental health book, spirituality book, and scripture study book I’ve ever read? Not even halfway through I bought it because I knew I’d need to reference and reread and loan it out for the rest of my life.
February 26, 2020
Loved this book so much!! It touched on so many aspects of my life and I had constant “aha” and “yes!” Moments. I’m already looking forward to listening to it again.
May 6, 2020
There is a lot of good insight and useful advice in this book. There's also a lot of "Mormon culture" that distracts from the message. (A case study with a father who only engages deeply in parenting because his wife is out of town? Boo. And what's with the random comics?) It walks a weird line between being a guide to better mindfulness within an LDS framework and a nod to the folks who only read Deseret Book publications. If you can ignore the annoying aspects, though, there is much wisdom to be gained.
June 30, 2022
My husband and I read this together, one chapter a week. We both got a lot out of it. So many interesting ideas to discuss. One of the main concepts was showing how our worship practices--like going to the temple, attending sacrament meeting, personal prayer and scripture study--are inherently mindful. The authors did a good job of explaining and showing through examples how to make these practices more meaningful and less about checking off an item on your to-do list. The book also talked a lot about relationships, especially parenting and marriage. It talked a lot about healing. It talked a lot about how it's okay not to feel good all the time. I loved the authors' perspective on sin and repentance. This book encouraged me to be more gentle with myself and more honest with God. It helped me see ways to bring more life into worship practices that have become stale and habitual. I also really appreciated their explanation of mindfulness/meditation. It isn't necessarily to clear your mind of all thought. But it is to bring your attention to something and, when your mind wanders, to gently and lovingly bring your attention back. That's all. You can bring your attention back to your breath or back to the lesson in church or back to what the person in front of you is saying or back to the taste of your food. That's mindfulness, not reaching some blank canvas state. I was grateful to have that clarified. I'm sure I will revisit this book many times in the future.
Here are some quotes:
"It is a human tendency to relate to whatever thoughts or ideas come to our mind as automatic reality--even more so, to the feelings that arise within. And no surprise! The landscape of our inner experiences is vivid enough that it's not hard to understand why we would assume those experiences are a reflection of who we are and the world around us. But do we have to? The answer is no. An important part of mindfulness practice is growing awareness of the difference between what is real and what is true. The longer people are able to rest in stillness, the more a new, relieving discovery emerges: however real certain thoughts are, not all content passing through the mind is true, or good, or worth paying attention to at all! And with a little practice, we can come to relate to passing mental content as just that--rather than an automatic indicator of reality."
"Interestingly, a new level of stillness often reveals whatever is already there--including underlying turbulence and agitation that may have been unnoticed all along. But it's still up to us whether we want to face whatever emerges in the stillness--because, the honest truth is that we don't have to! We always have the option of avoiding, distracting, and pushing away from whatever's happening inside. Mindfulness, however, invites the opposite: turning toward the inner noise or turbulence. As counterintuitive as it might sound, turning toward whatever is here (even if it is scary, or bothersome, or uncomfortable) is the beginning of deeper calm and stability--and it's what we would propose as the first, most basic step toward finding more internal quiet and calm. When we meet what is here, face it, and even confront it, something changes. Over time, suffering can decrease dramatically."
Paraphrasing a mindfulness guru: "In the ward (sangha) there must be difficult people. These difficult people are a good thing for you--they will test your capacity to build Zion and practice Christlike love (of sangha-building and practicing). One day when that person says something that is not very nice to you, you'll be able to smile and it won't make you suffer at all. I am speaking to you out of my experience. I now have a lot more patience and compassion, and because I have more patience and compassion, my happiness has grown much greater. You suffer because your understanding and compassion are not yet large enough to embrace difficult people, but with practice you will grow, your heart will grow, your understanding and compassion will grow. And thanks to the ward (sangha) practicing together, those people will transform. that is great success."
The book quoted Adam Miller: "Watch your hunger closely. See how, like the ocean, it has a rhythm with tides that come in and out and waves that break....Acknowledge the hunger's weight, autonomy, and reality. Don't run from your hunger. Don't call it names, curse it, regret it, or shame yourself with it. But don't indulge it either. Rather, care for your hunger. Pay attention. Watch it grow and fade. Become acquainted with and sensitive to it."
"Dr. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled, provides a new awareness and story: 'It is when a couple falls out of love that they may being to really love.' He explains that as long as individuals are experiencing intense pleasure, their motivation to be in a relationship is largely self-centered. Peck suggests that when, for whatever reason, the feeling of love settles somewhat and a couple still chooses to act lovingly--that illustrates not tragedy, but truly impressive love....This can be a refreshing and even redemptive realization for any couple going through hard times. When struggle heightens and you may not be getting everything you hoped for in this relationship, that very moment is not a crisis or a tragedy. Instead, it can be a moment when you may be able to start loving your partner even more--not because you're driven to, but because you choose to do so."
Here are some quotes:
"It is a human tendency to relate to whatever thoughts or ideas come to our mind as automatic reality--even more so, to the feelings that arise within. And no surprise! The landscape of our inner experiences is vivid enough that it's not hard to understand why we would assume those experiences are a reflection of who we are and the world around us. But do we have to? The answer is no. An important part of mindfulness practice is growing awareness of the difference between what is real and what is true. The longer people are able to rest in stillness, the more a new, relieving discovery emerges: however real certain thoughts are, not all content passing through the mind is true, or good, or worth paying attention to at all! And with a little practice, we can come to relate to passing mental content as just that--rather than an automatic indicator of reality."
"Interestingly, a new level of stillness often reveals whatever is already there--including underlying turbulence and agitation that may have been unnoticed all along. But it's still up to us whether we want to face whatever emerges in the stillness--because, the honest truth is that we don't have to! We always have the option of avoiding, distracting, and pushing away from whatever's happening inside. Mindfulness, however, invites the opposite: turning toward the inner noise or turbulence. As counterintuitive as it might sound, turning toward whatever is here (even if it is scary, or bothersome, or uncomfortable) is the beginning of deeper calm and stability--and it's what we would propose as the first, most basic step toward finding more internal quiet and calm. When we meet what is here, face it, and even confront it, something changes. Over time, suffering can decrease dramatically."
Paraphrasing a mindfulness guru: "In the ward (sangha) there must be difficult people. These difficult people are a good thing for you--they will test your capacity to build Zion and practice Christlike love (of sangha-building and practicing). One day when that person says something that is not very nice to you, you'll be able to smile and it won't make you suffer at all. I am speaking to you out of my experience. I now have a lot more patience and compassion, and because I have more patience and compassion, my happiness has grown much greater. You suffer because your understanding and compassion are not yet large enough to embrace difficult people, but with practice you will grow, your heart will grow, your understanding and compassion will grow. And thanks to the ward (sangha) practicing together, those people will transform. that is great success."
The book quoted Adam Miller: "Watch your hunger closely. See how, like the ocean, it has a rhythm with tides that come in and out and waves that break....Acknowledge the hunger's weight, autonomy, and reality. Don't run from your hunger. Don't call it names, curse it, regret it, or shame yourself with it. But don't indulge it either. Rather, care for your hunger. Pay attention. Watch it grow and fade. Become acquainted with and sensitive to it."
"Dr. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled, provides a new awareness and story: 'It is when a couple falls out of love that they may being to really love.' He explains that as long as individuals are experiencing intense pleasure, their motivation to be in a relationship is largely self-centered. Peck suggests that when, for whatever reason, the feeling of love settles somewhat and a couple still chooses to act lovingly--that illustrates not tragedy, but truly impressive love....This can be a refreshing and even redemptive realization for any couple going through hard times. When struggle heightens and you may not be getting everything you hoped for in this relationship, that very moment is not a crisis or a tragedy. Instead, it can be a moment when you may be able to start loving your partner even more--not because you're driven to, but because you choose to do so."
June 19, 2025
At first I gave this four stars. see below. Very much like the Balance App I use to meditate, only brings in religious culture from the Church of Jesus Christ, of Later-day Saints. I do appreciate that. This is actually a book I would need to study more, because it is a being book, not just a reading book.
Just upgraded to five stars, because I quote this book all the time! I try to reread snippets of it as well.
Just upgraded to five stars, because I quote this book all the time! I try to reread snippets of it as well.
January 13, 2020
Very powerful and insightful. I’ve taken a meditation workshop from Carrie Skarda and it was just amazing. I knew I needed to read this book. And it did not disappoint. The lessons and insights are so impactful. I feel so much peace putting them into practice in my own life. This will definitely be a book I will return to again and again.
April 13, 2020
Very good look at meditation and how it applies to prayer and worship. I though it was worth the time.
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