Chapter 4: Accessing Presence
CHOOSING PRESENCE PP. 45-46
Summary for Chapter 4
Accessing Presence: Being in the Space Where We Know That God Is Here Now
Presence is not something to be achieved—it is already here, waiting to be recognized. Jim Heaney explains that many people struggle to access presence because they believe they need to do something to reach God, when in reality, divine presence is always available in the now. The challenge is not about finding God, but about removing the mental distractions and unconscious patterns that keep awareness clouded.
The mind naturally resists presence, constantly pulling attention toward the past or future. However, when distractions are set aside, even for a moment, an undeniable sense of peace emerges. Heaney emphasizes that accessing presence is not about effort but about surrender—allowing stillness, awareness, and trust to replace the mind’s habitual grasping.
Practical exercises, such as conscious breathing and intentional awareness throughout daily activities, help strengthen this shift. The more presence is practiced, the more natural it becomes, leading to a deeper and more continuous experience of God’s peace. The key is to stop overcomplicating the process and simply allow presence to unfold.
Chapter 4: Making Meaning of the Message
Access is everything, and God tells us exactly how to access the present moment where the divine resides, always. Scripture tells us, 'Be still and know that I am God.' When we read that or say it, it seems almost too good to be true. But when we practice presence through the breath and bring in stillness, our own experience teaches us it is exactly so. God has made access easy and available to each of us equally. What we must do is stop allowing our insecure and unstable ego to lead us and take us out of reality. The access point is not our head but our heart. And being in the present moment opens our heart because all the distractions have stopped. We are present to the only reality there is: this moment now.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
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.
