Returning to Presence: Oscar’s Journey to Peace and Trust
Oscar Benavides Hatakeda is a valued member of the Choosing Presence community. He joined us for our Practicing Presence workshop in the fall of 2024 and continues to integrate the practices of presence into his daily life.
With a deep commitment to living with greater intention and peace, Oscar shares how the Choosing Presence book, the Practicing Presence app, and the Awakening Presence course have helped him return to stillness—even amidst the pressures of work and daily stress. His journey is a powerful reminder that presence is possible wherever we are, and that even a few mindful breaths can open the way to deeper trust, gratitude, and spiritual renewal.
Taking the Awakening Presence course has been a truly transformative experience. It beautifully complements the Choosing Presence book and the Practicing Presence app, creating a powerful trio that helps bring mindfulness into everyday life.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was realizing just how often I get caught up in stress, worry, and anxiety—completely consumed by everything going on around me. This course helped me recognize when I slip into that narrow, tunnel-vision mindset. And once I notice it, I now have the tools to pause, take a deep breath, and gently return to the present moment.
In that space of presence, I’ve found peace—an awareness of the simple but profound gift of being alive. It’s also deepened my trust in God and reminded me that I don’t have to carry everything on my own.
Thanks to the app, I’m learning to make this a daily practice—almost like training a muscle. Something as simple as taking three deep breaths can shift everything.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck in the past or future, and you're longing to live with more peace, gratitude, and presence, I can’t recommend this journey enough. Take the course, read the book, and try the app. It’s a beautiful invitation to live more fully right where you are.
