The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints

This is a wonderful book that I can't recommend highly enough, particularly to my fellow Latter-Day Saints (aka "Mormons"). I have been drawn to mindfulness and meditation for many years now and have ever-so-gradually been incorporating it into my life and (again, very gradually) getting better at it. I've used various apps like Headspace and Calm. I've read some Jon Kabat-Zinn and other articles and books on the topic. I incorporate it in some of the leadership classes I teach (e.g. there are some good TED talks by Andy Puddicombe and Shauna Shapiro that I recommend), as I see mindfulness fundamentally linked to self-awareness and self-mastery, which lies at the heart of leadership (and also connected to creativity and resilience, other important aspects of leadership).But as a practicing Latter-Day Saint (LDS), I've long noted the obvious linkages between this practice and prophetic teachings, whether it be scriptural admonitions to "be still, and know that I am God," or modern church teachers like David O. McKay specifically talking about meditation or Yoshihiko Kikuchi teaching about "opening our hearts to heaven" and creating our own, personal "sacred groves" as a daily practice. But I hadn't really gone beyond noting mentally these linkages and hadn't really engaged mindfulness as a way to improve my spiritual practice. So I was really happy to see a book for an LDS audience specifically about mindfulness that promised to make explicit these linkages between mindfulness and spiritual practice rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.I finally bought the book about six months ago, but really carved out time to read it carefully (mindfully) this past month. I just finished it, and talk about hitting it out of the park! I want to thank the authors for doing such a marvelous job making the case and introducing in simple terms mindfulness practice for a LDS audience. That was what I was expecting and it really delivers. It is the perfect introduction to mindfulness for LDS readers.What I wasn't expecting was how much more the book offers. I didn't expect such a deep exploration of how mindfulness can enhance our prayers, Sabbath worship, and experience within our faith community. I wasn't expecting perhaps the most concise and useful discussion of approaching what some call "faith crises." I wasn't expecting such great connections and advice for marriage, parenting, and even ministering in the church. This book offers all of that, which is why I will be giving copies to all of my adult children and likely many other family members and friends as well. It is simply the best, most meaningful, and practically useful book I've read about faith and spiritual practice in a very long time, if not ever. Again, for LDS readers, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Read it. Read it carefully, slowly and with an open heart and willingness to make tweaks in your daily practice.The only (very small) bit of criticism I'd offer the authors would be the chapter on parenting. I think the scope of that chapter was limited greatly due to (likely) the authors all being parents of young children. As a parent of two adults and two teens, let me just say that the stress and worry that one experiences at this stage of parenting is orders of magnitude greater than the young children phase. So while the advice in that chapter is absolutely important and helpful for parents of young children, it really falls short in not addressing at all mindfully parenting teens and adults.But again, that's a minor criticism of one chapter. I loved this book. So very well done. Most highly recommended.

This book is perfect for gaining perspective on how to slow down and still manage your life effectively.

This book nails the busyness and striving of all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My presence as a leader, follower, parent, teacher, and friend have increased as a result of this important book!

I believe that this book was written to help us all during this pandemic. It is an answer to our prayers on how to cope. I’m not a person who is patient. I don’t do yoga. I deleted my “Breathe” app from my watch because it annoyed me twice a day telling me to just breathe for one minute. I’m not mindful, but what they say to do in this book is good. I believe it will work, and help. I liked it enough to buy it for my children. I liked it enough to buy another copy for myself. I’ve started reading it again for a second time. The ideas and practices in this book are excellent. They tell us to “slow down,” and be aware/mindful of what we are thinking, and feeling. Then give us a chance to act, and not react to situations. I listened to it the first time. The author reads it, and his voice is calming and peaceful. I loved “hearing” it. If you want that audio version you must buy it from Deseret Book. The Kindle version is cheap- digital. The print version the most expensive. But it’s a lot less than a therapy session with a professional. The authors are just that- and so for a mere $20 you can get about 10 sessions on how to breathe and cope with life and its stress. Read it!

I loved reading this book, it was so good and I had many spiritual moments while reading it!! Such a good read!!

I needed this reminder about the importance of stillness and mindfulness in my life. I understand better how to apply these ideas after reading the examples in the book. I appreciate the changes I am making because I read this book.

I love the examples at the beginning of each chapter which are followed up using the applied principle at the end of each chapter. This book has helped me to know how to slow down and find a pause during the day. Also it helped me be more aware of my mental emotional and physical state. I especially love the examples of Christ in each chapter. If Christ had need to meditate and be alone to pray then so do I.

this book identified for me why so many feel lonely. People are not always as interested in others' opinion or in others' perspective as much as their own. This may sound like I am calling them selfish, no, not really, maybe just self oriented. It takes great maturity to be as opened - minded for another person; to just listen, with no agenda, no preconceived ideas, no judgement and then to accept them as they are. I do concur our lives are too busy, with too many distractions, with too many expectations imposed upon by others and yes, ourselves. Though i don't practice meditation I definitely am going to interject more stillness and slowness in my journey. NICE JOB to the authors.

I have been doing Mindfulness for a while , but this book has really awakened my spiritual side to stillness as well .

Das Buch ist wirklich gut und spricht ein Thema an, welches mich stark interessiert. Der Versand nach Deutschland war ok. Das Buch war nach Versand leicht geknickt. Preis Leistung war sehr gut!