Chapter 7: The Courage to Stop Negative Thinking and Gossip
CHOOSING PRESENCE PP. 84-86
Summary for Chapter 7
The Courage to Stop Negative Thinking and Gossip: The Awareness That We Take Our Life Situations and Turn Them into Problems
True presence is not just a practice—it is a way of life. Jim Heaney emphasizes that presence must extend beyond moments of stillness and into daily experiences, shaping how we interact with others, respond to challenges, and perceive the world. The goal is not to separate spiritual practice from everyday life but to integrate presence into every moment.
Distractions, habits, and unconscious patterns often pull attention away from the now, making it easy to fall back into autopilot living. Heaney encourages cultivating awareness throughout the day—whether in conversations, simple tasks, or moments of stillness—so that presence becomes second nature.
Rather than seeking dramatic spiritual experiences, true transformation happens in ordinary moments. By consistently choosing awareness over distraction, life becomes richer, more peaceful, and deeply connected to divine presence. Living with presence allows for greater joy, clarity, and a more authentic experience of God in each moment.
Chapter 7: Making Meaning of the Message
How many times have we allowed our mind to literally run away with us and let all those negative thoughts take us over? Before making the practice of presence primary in my (Jim Heaney’s) life, it must have happened to me a thousand times. And the worst part is we don’t know how it happens. It all begins in our unobserved mind because we are not in touch with how we feel inside. When I first started practicing presence, I can remember getting the feeling that if I stopped thinking, I was going to miss something—and I was right. What I was going to miss was all the misery I cause myself through all the compulsive and repetitive negative thinking I was doing when I was in an unconscious state. The practice of presence stops that negative cycle by making us aware of how our negative thinking may be playing out in our external world, such as when we gossip, which often creates turmoil all around us and creates a barrier to peace. The practice of presence also makes us aware of the unease building up inside, which often leads to inner chaos. Through the practice of consciously breathing throughout the day we bring ourselves back to the present moment, the only reality there is. And we then realize we have a choice. When we are in an unconscious state, living through memory or anticipation, that is a false reality we have created in our mind. In that state we do not realize we have a choice. That is how the practice of presence teaches us. As Eckhart Tolle says, it is a terrible affliction not to be able to stop our mind from thinking. The practice of presence gives us that choice.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
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.
