Be Still and Listen: Experience the Presence of God in Your Life

by Amos Smith, Phileena Heuertz (Foreword by), Dale Hanson Bourke (Afterword)

Overview

The various crises we experience in society and culture today, at their root, reveal a spiritual problem: a profound lack of meaning. The mystical truths revealed in scripture can surely help.
 
Part One, “Entering the Desert,” introduces the reader to principles of awareness, deep listening, and contemplation as essential for “hearing” what Scripture has to say. Part Two details the importance of mystery and struggle in the process of healing from any past or present wounds. And Part Three explores the “undivided heart” that is possible when we come to know God in silence and stillness.
 
With Be Still it is possible to explore the contemplative dimensions of the Bible, either on your own or in a group setting, as you perhaps never have before.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612618654
Publisher:	Paraclete Press
Publication date:	06/12/2018
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Amos Smith has been an ordained United Church of Christ pastor for 18 years. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary and teaches Contemporary Christian Mysticism at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson. His first book, Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity’s Mystic Roots is part of the curriculum at Richard Rohr’s Living School of The Center for Action and Contemplation.

Table of Contents

Foreword Phileena Heuertz ix

Preface xii

Introduction xvi

Part 1 Entering the Desert 1

Chapter 1 Awareness, Deep Listening, and Contemplation and Action 2

Chapter 2 Centering Prayer 12

Chapter 3 Christian Mysticism: A New Language 26

Chapter 4 Christian Mysticism: Self-emptying 39

Part 2 Struggle and Healing 47

Chapter 5 Struggling for Freedom 48

Chapter 6 Facing Our Fears 58

Chapter 7 Birth of the True Self 68

Part 3 The Undivided Heart 85

Chapter 8 Dominion of God Within 86

Chapter 9 Finding Refuge 97

Chapter 10 Humility and Service 107

Conclusion: Cultivate Actual Experience 121

Afterword Dale Hanson Bourke 124

Acknowledgments 126

Appendix: Centering Prayer Guidelines 128

Notes 129

Selected Bibliography 133

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Amos Smith’s unique voice is rooted in his long-term centering prayer practice and his international background. Be Still and Listen is a trumpet call to the inner treasures of contemporary Christian mysticism.”
–Richard Rohr, author of Falling Upward
 
“In a lively, accessible, and masterful style Amos Smith unveils the mystical foundations of Christianity and the spiritual wealth found in Scripture.”
–Kyriacos Markides, author of The Mountain of Silence
 
“Be Still and Listen will be a refreshing companion to your spiritual journey, helping you deepen your capacity for presence of being, assisting you to live in the here and now, and guiding you along the mystical path with Christ.”
–Phileena Heuertz, author of Pilgrimage of a Soul
 
“Amos Smith’s mystical writing builds bridges between Eastern and Western Christianity.”
–Abba Yohannes, Ethiopian Orthodox monk
 
“Be Still and Listen has made me think deeply about my own spiritual life and practice. I am confident that this important book will have a similar impact on you.”
–Dale Hanson Bourke, author of Embracing Your Second Calling
 
“Amos Smith reminds us that the path of centering prayer and Christian mysticism is not a race. It’s a marathon. As many Scriptures attest, our relationship with God requires patient waiting in stillness and silence, day after day, month after month, year after year. The marvel is that in time God will transform us!”
–Rich Lewis, author and centering prayer workshop leader
 
“Our hearts hunger, our souls thirst, for the freedom and spiritual life that existed in the Garden—of walking close to God in the cool of the evening and being whole. Amos Smith shows us how we can recover a portion of that in our interior lives now.”
–J. Brent Bill, Quaker author of Holy Silence
 

Editorial Reviews

The wonder of this book is that it makes mysticism accessible. It does not pontificate, it does not lumber in theology and philosophy. It provides simple, pure and genuine access to those seeking to understand with practical help along the path of discovery. It is a wonderful book.” –Roy. A Hoagland, Hope Impacts

“Amos Smith’s unique voice is rooted in his long-term centering prayer practice and his international background. Be Still and Listen is a trumpet call to the inner treasures of contemporary Christian mysticism.” –Richard Rohr, author of Falling Upward
 
“In a lively, accessible, and masterful style Amos Smith unveils the mystical foundations of Christianity and the spiritual wealth found in Scripture.” –Kyriacos Markides, author of The Mountain of Silence
 
“Be Still and Listen will be a refreshing companion to your spiritual journey, helping you deepen your capacity for presence of being, assisting you to live in the here and now, and guiding you along the mystical path with Christ.” –Phileena Heuertz, author of Pilgrimage of a Soul
 
“Amos Smith’s mystical writing builds bridges between Eastern and Western Christianity.” –Abba Yohannes, Ethiopian Orthodox monk
 
“Be Still and Listen has made me think deeply about my own spiritual life and practice. I am confident that this important book will have a similar impact on you.” –Dale Hanson Bourke, author of Embracing Your Second Calling
 
“Amos Smith reminds us that the path of centering prayer and Christian mysticism is not a race. It’s a marathon. As many Scriptures attest, our relationship with God requires patient waiting in stillness and silence, day after day, month after month, year after year. The marvel is that in time God will transform us!” –Rich Lewis, author and centering prayer workshop leader
 
“Our hearts hunger, our souls thirst, for the freedom and spiritual life that existed in the Garden—of walking close to God in the cool of the evening and being whole. Amos Smith shows us how we can recover a portion of that in our interior lives now.” –J. Brent Bill, Quaker author of Holy Silence


“Amos Smith's book is a wonderful support for any who are exploring the Christian contemplative journey. Whether you are an experienced practitioner of centering prayer, or venturing into new territory, this book offers encouragement, guidance and fresh insights from a fellow traveler in the rich, mysterious terrain of silence.” —Sharon Grussendorff, Solitude Retreat Centre, South Africa

From the Publisher