May I be safe and protected. May I be at peace in mind and body. May I live with ease and kindness. (Kindness practice, p. 120)

We can all engage with such longings and wish these good things for the people we love. Mindfulness practice is hugely popular these days! But what, Tim Stead asks, does it have to offer Christianity? How might it help us to transform the way we manage stress and open up more completely to the promised 'life in all its fullness'?

Key is the definition of mindfulness as being more fully aware of our own experience in the present moment in a non-judgmental way. The author finds that 'distractions';, so often the bane of those trying to pray, can be taken note of without our being caught up in or taken over by them. A non-judgemental approach seems entirely consistent with talk of grace, and as Christians we know we can only ever experience God in the present moment. Tim reflects: 'If I feel loved entirely without judgment, I will gradually dare to allow every aspect of myself to come into the light of God's gaze and so into relationship with the rest of myself and this is how healing comes.'

 'You can read this book in a day, but take it to heart and it will last a lifetime.' - __Professor Mark Williams, from the Foreward__

Tim Stead

Cover

About the author 

Title page

Copyright

Dedication

Foreword

Thanks

Introduction: Making space for God

Part 1: What is mindfulness?

1 Mindfulness in its clinical and mainstream contexts

2 Mindfulness in the Christian tradition

3 My journey to mindfulness

Part 2: From believing to knowing

4 God is one, God is love, God is now

5 Jesus: the embodied one, the liberated one, the awakened one

6 The Holy Spirit: free will, decentring

Part 3: From doing to being

7 Knowing God's presence

8 Trusting God

9 Knowing God's will

10 Finding peace

11 'Inner healing'

12 Prayer and worship

13 Practising love

14 Reconnecting with nature

15 Daily living

Epilogue: Life in all its fullness

Notes

Mindfulness courses and further reading

May I be safe and protected. May I be at peace in mind and body. May I live with ease and kindness. (Kindness practice, p. 120)

We can all engage with such longings and wish these good things for the people we love. Mindfulness practice is hugely popular these days! But what, Tim Stead asks, does it have to offer Christianity? How might it help us to transform the way we manage stress and open up more completely to the promised 'life in all its fullness'?

Key is the definition of mindfulness as being more fully aware of our own experience in the present moment in a non-judgmental way. The author finds that 'distractions';, so often the bane of those trying to pray, can be taken note of without our being caught up in or taken over by them. A non-judgemental approach seems entirely consistent with talk of grace, and as Christians we know we can only ever experience God in the present moment. Tim reflects: 'If I feel loved entirely without judgment, I will gradually dare to allow every aspect of myself to come into the light of God's gaze and so into relationship with the rest of myself and this is how healing comes.'

 'You can read this book in a day, but take it to heart and it will last a lifetime.' - Professor Mark Williams, from the Foreward

This book explores how Mindfulness practice can enable us to reflect on what it might mean to believe certain things, and to make the real changes which enable us to live the Christian life with greater integrity.

There are many things we realise we ought to believe or do as Christians but, if we are honest, find almost impossible. This can lead to feelings of hypocrisy, as we say with our lips what, to our shame, we are not truly living in our lives, even though we long to. This engaging, readable book explores how Mindfulness practice can enable us to reflect on what it might mean to believe certain things, and to make the real changes which enable us to live the Christian life with greater integrity.

Foreword by Professor Mark Williams, author (with Danny Penman) of the life-changing bestseller Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World, which has sold over 250,000 copies in the UK alone.

'The book on mindfulness that many of us have been waiting for! Tim Stead writes with disarming honesty for anyone seeking a fruitful and truthful way to live.';John Pritchard, former Bishop of Oxford;'A fascinating and insightful examination of the links between the Christian contemplative tradition and the stress-reducing mindfulness programme developed by Professor Mark Williams and others. I learned so much from reading this book and strongly recommend it.';Michael Mosley, award winning BBC author, science journalist and presenter';The popularity of mindfulness in our time is a reminder that the ancient contemplative practices of attentiveness and stillness are needed more than ever. Tim Stead suggests that the practice of mindfulness brings gifts to Christian faith and living. It is more than just another therapy - it makes space for God.'; David Runcorn, author of Spirituality Workbook

Tim Stead is is Vicar of Holy Trinity Headington Quarry (the church where C. S. Lewis worshipped for 30 years). He has practised Christian forms of contemplative prayer for 30 years, and is trained to teach Mindfulness to parish groups through the O.M.C. 'Training Pathway'. He has developed an eight-week course based on the best-selling book Mindfulness: Finding peace in a frantic world by Mark Williams (former director of O.M.C.) and Danny Penman, which he runs at Holy Trinity. Tim is in demand as a speaker at men's mindfulness weekends and gave a well-received talk last year at Greenbelt.

\["Ever wonder about whether mindfullness is Christian?","This guide helps you to grow in faith in a way that is mindful and healthy","You'll be able to reflect and make space for what God want to do in your life"\]

Foreword by Mark Williams

Thanks

Introduction: Making Space for God

Part 1: What is Mindfulness?

1\. Mindfulness in its clinical and mainstream contexts

2\. Mindfulness in the Christian tradition

3\. My journey to mindfulness

Part 2: From Believing to Knowing

4\. God is one, God is love, God is now

5\. Jesus: the embodied one, the liberated one, the awakened one

6\. The Holy Spirit: free will, decentring

Part 3: From Doing to Being

7\. Knowing God's presence

8\. Trusting God

9\. Finding God's will

10\. Finding peace

11\. 'Inner healing'

12\. Prayer and worship

13\. Practising love

14\. Reconnecting with nature

15\. Daily living

Epilogue: Life in all its fullness

Notes

Mindfulness courses and further reading

A fascinating and insightful examination of the links between the Christian contemplative tradition and the stress-reducing mindfulness programme developed by Professor Mark Williams and others. I learned so much from reading this book and strongly recommend it.  
\- Michael Mosley, award winning BBC author, science journalist and presenter

Reading Tim Stead’s new book Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality is a bit like listening to bird song before dawn. As you listen to the overall song different voices start to emerge and a sense of peace begins to alight on you . . . Some of \[this writing\] is among the best I have read anywhere.  
\- Shaun Lambert, author of A Book of Sparks – A Study in Christian MindFullness

This is a stimulating book in its attempt to integrate mindfulness practice – which is originally derived from eastern, Buddhist spirituality – with our western, Christian heritage. Stead shows hour Christian thinking and spiritual practice can be enriched by mindful wisdom, leading to a deeper openness and fuller experience of God’s grace. This book is for people who like to think outside of the book and for those who are looking to enhance their spiritual practice.  
\- Birgit Ewald

Highly recommended.  
\- Church of England Newspaper

The book on mindfulness that many of us have been waiting for! Tim Stead writes with disarming honesty for anyone seeking a fruitful and truthful way to live.  
\- John Pritchard, former Bishop of Oxford

The popularity of mindfulness in our time is a reminder that the ancient contemplative practices of attentiveness and stillness are needed more than ever. Tim Stead suggests that the practice of mindfulness brings gifts to Christian faith and living. It is more than just another therapy – it makes space for God.  
\- David Runcorn, author of Spirituality Workbook

This book is measured and gracious in its argument. It leaves each one of us asking: How am I to find Godly peace in a climate of religious activism and be energised for and by both, if God is to be my Lord and my Friend and my Saviour.  
\- Michael Dublin and Glendalough

As mindfulness becomes more popular, Tim Stead explores the unique relationship between Christian spiritual growth and mindfull approaches.

Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality

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