Chapter 5: Inner Conditioning
CHOOSING PRESENCE PP. 53-54
Summary for Chapter 5
Inner Conditioning: Building Our Foundation on Rock
Spiritual growth requires consistent practice, just like physical conditioning strengthens the body. Jim Heaney explains that deepening presence is not a one-time realization but an ongoing discipline that transforms how we experience life. Without regular practice, the mind easily falls back into unconscious patterns, reinforcing stress and separation from divine peace.
Just as an athlete builds strength through repeated training, inner conditioning strengthens awareness of God’s presence. The key is not effort but consistency—small, intentional moments of stillness and awareness throughout the day. Heaney encourages readers to see this practice not as another task, but as a way of life that naturally leads to greater peace, resilience, and spiritual clarity.
When presence becomes a habit, life no longer feels like a series of problems to solve. Instead, a stable foundation is built—one that allows challenges to be met with trust and calm rather than fear and reaction. By committing to daily practice, the mind quiets, the heart opens, and God’s presence becomes more tangible in every moment.
Chapter 5: Making Meaning of the Message
Inner conditioning is at the heart of practicing presence. Without practicing presence consistently to start the day and throughout the day, we will not have confidence in it. It is our inner experience of calm and peace as we bring in stillness that keeps us returning to the present moment. In other words, it is the practice that teaches us, or I should say, it is the practice of bringing in stillness that allows God to teach us. As Jesus said in John 6:45, 'They shall all be taught by God' (RSVCE). We all want God to be revealed to us and to teach us in our daily lives. But we must remember, God's Spirit is always in the present moment, and unfortunately, most of us are rarely in the present moment. Inner conditioning ourselves through the practice of presence keeps us close to the space where God can teach us: the always accessible present moment where the divine resides. And through God’s grace, we have a choice.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
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.
