Explore Insights on Choosing Presence & the Practice of Presence
Browse, reflect, and embrace the practice of presence!
Welcome to our collection of thought-provoking articles designed to inspire and support your journey towards daily calm and presence. Here, you’ll find deep reflections on Choosing Presence and the Practice of Presence, along with explorations of contemplative prayer, meditation, and the art of living in the moment.
Whether you’re seeking practical guidance, fresh perspectives, or a deeper understanding of presence in daily life, these articles offer valuable wisdom to help you cultivate stillness, awareness, and a stronger connection with God.
When “Present” Becomes Practice
Practice of Presence Teaching
Presence isn’t something to figure out or achieve—it’s something we practice, moment by moment. In Accessing Presence (Chapter 4 of Choosing Presence), Jim Heaney reminds us that stillness and conscious breath are the simple gateways to awakening. As we pause, breathe, and return to the here and now, we rediscover the peace and love that divine presence offers—always here, quietly waiting at the center of our being.
From Frustration to Freedom: How Presence Changes Everything
Practice of Presence Teaching
Jim Taylor invites us into the heart of spiritual presence—not as a lofty goal, but as a daily practice rooted in traffic jams, conversations, and quiet pauses. With gentle wisdom, he describes how taking just a few conscious breaths can shift us from reactivity to reverence. By welcoming life as it is, even when it’s inconvenient or messy, we begin to recognize that God is always here—already at work, already present. This message reminds us that transformation isn’t about escape; it begins exactly where we are.
Stillness
Making Meaning of the Message: Stillness
Stillness is the foundation of the practice of presence. God tells us in Psalm 46:10 to “be still and know that I am God.” When we read it, it should become clear to us that it is not a suggestion; it is a command.
Meeting God in the Moment
Making Meaning of the Message: Meeting God in the Moment
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 actually doing what God told us. We have to be still first; only then do we start to experience a change inside. Then the power of God’s Spirit awakens us to God’s presence.
Choosing Presence Q&A - Live on Zoom
In this enriching video discussion of presence, author Jim Heaney and Rev. Jim Taylor, along with several others dive deep into their spiritual practices of presence, drawing on experiences, teachings, as well as the essence of Jim Heaney’s book, “Choosing Presence.” The discussion is anchored in the belief that stillness and presence are foundational for an intimate relationship with God, where being still allows one to drop everything and be present in the moment.