Chapter 2: Meeting God in the Moment
CHOOSING PRESENCE PP. 22-24
Summary for Chapter 2
Meeting God in the Moment: Getting Out of Our Heads and Into Our Hearts to Connect with Spirit
A personal relationship with God isn’t found through effort or striving—it happens in the present moment. Jim Heaney explains that many people look for God “out there” or wait for a profound spiritual experience, but true connection comes through presence. Instead of trying to think our way into a relationship with God, we must shift into awareness, getting out of our heads and into our hearts.
The chapter highlights how distractions, worries, and mental noise keep people from recognizing God’s presence. By practicing stillness and presence, individuals can move beyond their habitual thinking and experience a deep, personal connection with the divine. Stories and examples illustrate how moments of stillness can awaken an awareness of God’s love, not as an abstract idea, but as something immediate and real.
Jesus’s teachings emphasize this shift, inviting us to release burdens and trust in God’s presence. Heaney encourages readers to stop seeking external proof of God’s reality and instead practice quieting the mind and opening the heart. Through presence, divine love is not only believed—it is directly experienced.
Chapter 2: Making Meaning of the Message
As Christians, we all want and desire to meet God in this moment. But too often we’re trying to figure out how to do that instead of doing what God told us. We must be still first; only then do we start to experience a change inside. Then the power of God’s Spirit awakens us to divine presence. Over the years, many people have told me, 'When I pray or when I’m in church at Mass, I don’t feel anything inside.' I tell them, 'You may be praying, and you may be in church physically, but your mind is somewhere else.' As Christians, we believe that God is revealed to us—which is true. But we forget that God is always in this moment revealing the divine. Our problem is that we’re rarely in this moment with God.
So how can we experience divine presence within us and all around us? By becoming more present in our daily lives, especially when we pray or when we’re at Mass, through the practice of presence. Before we are still, it’s like looking out a foggy window and not being able to tell what we’re looking at or what we’re looking for. When we become still, everything starts to become clear.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The Practicing Presence Journal
Set aside a dedicated space for your reflections on practicing presence—whether it’s a lined notebook, a digital document, or a note-taking app on your phone. Use it to explore the journaling questions provided in the PDF below. We encourage you to revisit these prompts throughout the week and notice how your responses may shift as your experience of presence deepens.
Download the Free
Practicing Presence App
➜ Start with the Morning Practice.
➜ Be sure to enable hourly notifications and reminders.
➜ Simple to install and easy to use.
➜ Check out our download and installation tutorials.
Guided Practice of Presence
The Practice of Presence is about shifting from unconscious, fear-driven thinking to an awareness of the present moment, where God’s peace is always available. Below are step-by-step instructions to guide you through this practice:
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Sit in a comfortable, upright position in a place free from distractions. Keep the spine straight, and if possible, close your eyes to minimize external stimulation.
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Before starting, acknowledge the purpose: to quiet the mind, become present, and connect with God’s peace. A simple prayer can help:
“God, all goodness comes from You. Let Your peace flow through me.”
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Use the breath to anchor awareness in the present:
Take a slow, deep breath in through the nose, filling the lungs completely.
Hold for a brief moment, feeling the stillness.
Slowly exhale through the nose, releasing tension.
Repeat this cycle for several breaths.
To deepen your focus, silently repeat a sacred word like “Jesus” or “Yahweh” on each inhale and exhale.
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As the inner noise settles, begin to notice a deeper sense of peace. This is where God’s Spirit is most accessible. Rather than striving for an experience, allow presence to unfold naturally.
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Practicing presence is not just for morning meditation—it’s a way of living. Remember to take three conscious breaths throughout the day.
Ask yourself these three questions:
If I am at peace, do I know why?
If I am not at peace, do I know why?
If I am not at peace, do I know how to get back to peace?
Use the Practicing Presence: A Christian Way App to do the actual practice and the hourly intention.
