TESTIMONIALS
Real Stories From Our Readers, Users, and Community Members Who Have Embraced the Practice of Presence in Their Lives.
Featured Testimonials
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“What impresses me most is how Jim Heaney opened my eyes to what is truly possible when you gain a deeper understanding of the process.” — Tim Gibney
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“But this time, it was different. I didn’t feel triggered. I stayed calm. I remained grounded.” — Oswaldo Montoya
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“I’ve been practicing different forms of meditation for over 25 years, and while this one appears quite simple, it feels profoundly transformative.” — Oswaldo Montoya
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“Contemplative practices, including Centering Prayer, have become my deepest anchor. I often picture it as sinking gently into a river of love. I sit, choose a simple word, and let myself be held.” — Markku Kostamo
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“Yes, I am always in God’s holy presence, a reminder to open my arms to the holiness of the moment.” — Mick Owens
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“I learned that control was an illusion, and that trust in God is not optional but essential. In those humbling moments, I discovered that storms are not sent to destroy us but to shape us.” — Gregg Burch
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“…I became an avid backpacker and one who loved to go for quiet walks in nature to be present to that which I could not name but knew to be real and very present to me. ” — Joe Lonergan
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“I’ve come to see that meditation is not an escape into painless oblivion, but a way of entering more fully into life itself. ” — Dan Vanoli
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“The gentle reminders from the Practicing Presence App help me return to the breath and re-center—whether I’m in meetings, on phone calls, or simply moving through my workday.” — Ken Tillman
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“I was omitting, in a sense, to remember and to be renewed in my essence.” — John Philip Newell
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“What I often share with others is that the Practice of Presence takes us out of our heads and awakens the mystical heart within.” — Brian Mueller
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“Whenever I realize I’m not present, these three breaths and questions help me come home to myself, to God, and to the moment.” — Tom Sparough
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“Presence became a bridge, linking my mental practices to physical healing. Each decision to choose presence was a step away from the overwhelming pace of life and toward a quieter, more centered experience.” — Charlie Myking
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Oscar Benavides Hatakeda shares how Choosing Presence, the Practicing Presence app, and the Awakening Presence course helped him break free from stress and anxiety—and reconnect with peace, trust, and the gift of the present moment.
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In this heartfelt poem, Dave Kraybill reflects on the sacred act of breathing and the quiet strength found in presence. Inspired by Choosing Presence and the Practicing Presence app, his words gently remind us that life’s beauty unfolds one breath at a time.
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Rico Mundy struggled with anxiety and tried many practices for relief. Meditation helped, but real transformation came through the Wim Hof method, which calmed his emotions and brought peace. This path led him to Jim Heaney’s Practicing Presence app, where breathwork took on deeper spiritual meaning.
Scroll down for additional testimonials. ⬇︎
Choosing Presence
How to Access God's Peace and Release Fear, Anxiety, and Stress
This book has helped countless readers reconnect with their true self in sacred presence through clear insights and simple practices. Here's what they have to say:
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“This book reminds me that by choosing presence over worry I can release my anxiety and find peace in each present moment. At the end of each chapter there is a section called Making Meaning of the Message which is great for journaling and reflection. I have also participated in a women's circle where together we held a meaningful discussion of Choosing Presence. I am not a religious person, yet I can still find great spiritual comfort through practicing presence.”
— Melissa H.
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“I have been able to practice presence for six weeks now. It is part of my regular morning routine. I also use the Practicing Presence app to get the hourly reminders. This practice has helped me maintain my peace and serenity.”
– Henry D.
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“Jim Heaney has written a book that gives clear, practical steps to choosing presence with God. Along with the book, Jim has also developed a helpful application that can be downloaded for free. I believe, like Jim, that choosing presence is as available as taking our next breath!”
— James R.
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"After reading Choosing Presence, and the part that really stayed with me was on page 96, in the first paragraph. Jim shares that after many years of meditation practice, he still struggled—like I do—to bring that same peace and calm into the stress of daily life. The answer, he discovered, was presence. If we can keep the calm we find in meditation close at hand throughout the day, it becomes easier to access it when we need it most. I can really relate to Jim’s experience."
- Bruce C.
Start your Journey with Choosing Presence Today!
Practicing Presence
- A Christian Way
Our free mobile app provides gentle hourly reminders to practice presence and renew yourself spiritually throughout the day.
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“Breathe… It’s so simple to do and this app provides a lovely wake-up call to practice presence every hour! The Practicing Presence app helps remind me that I can take three conscious breaths every hour and return to peace.”or six weeks now. It is part of my regular morning routine. I also use the Practicing Presence app to get the hourly reminders. This practice has helped me maintain my peace and serenity.”
— Schnauzer Grandma
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“I love using this app for my daily meditation practice. As someone who struggles with anxiety, having the notifications remind me to pause and take several deep breaths is a big help. And it’s good to know that meditation can be practiced throughout my day, not just when I have time to sit and relax.”
— Lissa-76
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“Practicing Presence is a beautiful app—easy to configure and requires little effort to be effective. Quickly, it will become a part of your daily practice in seeking to become more present and at peace.”
— B-Drive
Experience Mindfulness Wherever You Are!
Practicing Presence:
A Spiritual Intention
Our email messages offer readers regular insights and practical guidance for cultivating mindfulness and deeper spiritual awareness in their daily life. Each message provides thoughtful reflections and actionable steps to help experience life more consciously and authentically.
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“I like the quotes from various practitioners of presence. Also, personal stories and experiences are always helpful. I agree with pretty much all that is included in the emails, but it is always a helpful reminder to get them.”
— Tom G.
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“There is always plenty to carry forward and ponder. I have not been receiving these messages long, but I have learned and benefited a lot from them. I came across them at a time when I was at a very low ebb spiritually. Thank you for making this material available—it has been enormously helpful.”
— Keith W.
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“I am a chaplain from India. I enjoy and look forward to your weekly messages. God bless you!”
— Vilbert V.