The Soul of All Spirituality
Practice of Presence Teaching by Brian Mueller
Meeting God in the Moment (Chapter 2) is probably my favorite chapter in Choosing Presence. In it, Jim Heaney shares very personally about his own numinous experiences of God. As someone seeking a personal relationship with the divine, I find it deeply reassuring to be reminded that God is always accessible through stillness and conscious presence.
For much of my life, I didn’t really understand what it meant to have a personal relationship with the divine. The religious teaching I received in my youth and through my own early experiences had kept God at a distance. I felt I was left to navigate life on my own, relying only on whatever resources I could find. That way of living was lonely and profoundly alienating.
But for those willing to go deeper, life always provides an opening to encounter God. By midlife, struggles in marriage and work had softened and humbled me enough to finally accept the presence of a higher power. By some grace beyond my comprehension, I found the courage to respond to a spiritual calling, and in doing so became aware of God’s presence in my life.
At the end of Chapter 2, Jim reminds us that the soul of all spirituality lies in experiencing God’s presence. Such encounters change us fundamentally, and life itself takes on new meaning. Once we recognize that God is at the very center of our being, each moment of stillness and presence becomes infinitely more precious.
Take the Next Steps in Presence
Ready to go deeper? These journaling questions will help you reflect on Chapter 2 of Choosing Presence and guide you into greater awareness and stillness.
Meet God in the Moment - Enroll in Awakening to Presence and discover how stillness and conscious presence open us to encountering God here and now.
Brian Mueller – Poet, Community Organizer, and Spiritual Guide
Brian Mueller is a poet and community organizer based in Dayton, Ohio. He serves as Director of Engagement & Outreach for ChoosingPresence.org and is an active member of the Ohio Chapter of Illuman, where he co-leads writing retreats that support men’s spiritual journeys. As a writer, Brian is known for his candid, accessible poetry, with works including Cock‑A‑Doodle‑Doo: 100 Morning Haiku, the Poem of the Day series, and the Bull Series. Inspired by poets like Rumi and Mary Oliver, he believes everyone carries the voice of a poet within.
