Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness

by Amy G. Oden, Marjorie J. Thompson (Foreword by)

Overview

Christians have always practiced mindfulness. Yet, from the popular landscape of mindfulness movement, you’d never know that. Where is the Christian voice in this fast-growing movement? Many Christians practice mindfulness outside of church and believe it does not belong to our faith tradition. This book reveals the Christian roots of mindfulness and the actual practices that, when reclaimed, deepen the life of faith and the power of our mission of love in the world. When we understand how radical it is to live in God’s presence right here, right now, our lives are transformed toward mercy, justice and abundant life. Amy Oden shows how the practice of Christian mindfulness begins with the teachings of Jesus and continues throughout Christian history. It also includes step-by-step instructions for the practice of Christian mindfulness today. Pastors and leaders will find this book useful on the ground as they curate current culture and guide Christians in spiritual practices. " ... this is the best introduction to Christian mindfulness I have read." —Shaun Lambert, Senior Minister of Stanmore Baptist Church, United Kingdom “Amy Oden knows the history of Christian spirituality as well as anyone, and she helps us see what might seem surprising to many—that mindfulness has deep roots in the Christian tradition. The wisdom she shares in this clear, winsome book has already deepened my own life of prayer. I know this book will bear fruit in classrooms and congregations as readers heed its call to stop and pay prayerful attention to what God is doing, right here, right now.” —L. Roger Owens, Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality and Ministry, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA “Oden deftly lifts up a clear template for what lies at the core of all spiritual practice: mindfulness—a simple awareness within ordinary life of divine presence, here and now. Unlike many generic practices of mindfulness now popular in business, education, and the fitness industry, Oden underscores that Christian mindfulness is not an end in itself but an awareness that turns us toward God. Amy’s words become a litany of invitation into the posture of open-hearted presence to the Presence, right here, right now.” (from the foreword) —Marjorie J. Thompson, author of Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, former Director of Pathways in Congregational Spirituality with Upper Room Ministries, and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian church (USA)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781501832499
Publisher:	Abingdon Press
Publication date:	08/01/2017
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	648,919
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Marjorie J. Thompson is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church USA. She received her Bachelor of Arts in religious studies from Swarthmore College, and her Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. Following a post-graduate pastoral internship, she became a Research Fellow at Yale Divinity School where she studied Christian spirituality with Henri Nouwen and did independent research in ecumenical traditions of prayer. Marjorie has served as adjunct faculty for several seminaries, including McCormick, Auburn, Wesley, and Vanderbilt Divinity School. She has taught in The Upper Room s Academy for Spiritual Formation, and directed the foundational program for Stillpoint. In 1996, Marjorie joined The Upper Room as Director of the Pathways Center for Spiritual Leadership, now called Pathways for Congregational Spirituality, and has served as chief architect of Companions in Christ. She is the author of Family, The Forming Center and Soul Fea

Amy G. Oden is Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality at Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University and the author of In Her Words, And You Welcomed Me, and Right Here Right Now, all published by Abingdon Press. Find out more at www.amyoden.com

Table of Contents

Foreword Marjorie J. Thompson vii

Introduction xi

What Is This Book About? xi

Why Now? xiii

About Words xiv

About Limits xv

Thanksgivings xvi

Chapter 1 Christian Mindfulness 1

The Hunger of Our Time and Christian Mindfulness 1

Jesus and Gospel Mindfulness: What Does Jesus Say about Mindfulness? 4

What Else Does the Bible Say about Mindfulness? 9

Jesus Meets People Where They Are, Right Here, Right Now 10

Distinctives: What Is Christian about Christian Mindfulness? 11

Marks of Christian Mindfulness: How Does Mindfulness Mark Our Lives? 15

Conclusion 23

For Further Reading 24

Chapter 2 Curating Mindfulness in Christian Tradition and Contemporary Culture 25

Curating Mindfulness: Why It Matters 25

Part 1 Mindfulness in Christian Tradition 27

Part 2 Mindfulness in Contemporary Culture 39

Objections to Mindfulness 43

Wrap-Up 44

For Further Reading 46

Chapter 3 Practices and Postures of Christian Mindfulness 49

Basic Christian Mindfulness Practice 49

Practices of Christian Mindfulness 53

Individual Practices 54

Communal Practices 70

Postures for Christian Mindfulness: Daily Life Prompt 80

Conclusion 85

For Further Reading 85

Chapter 4 Christian Mindfulness Today 87

Here and Now 87

Mindfulness as Countercultural Christian Witness 88

Making a Difference in the World 89

Interfaith Connections 91

Warning: Mindfulness Disrupts 93

Blessing the World 95

Group Study Guide 98

Notes 104