Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality: Making Space for God

By Tim Stead

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: SPCK
• Release date: Mar 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9780281074877

Tim Stead

Tim Stead is an ordained Anglican priest and is currently Vicar of Holy Trinity in Headington Quarry, Oxford. He is also an accredited mindfulness teacher with the Oxford Mindfulness Centre.

Reviews for Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality

[sueincyprus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent introduction to the topic of mindfulness in general, and its relationship to Christian spirituality in particular. The author writes clearly, with plenty of personal experience, much of it self-deprecating. There's a brief history of the movement in the early chapters, and a look at different topics in the Christian life, as they relate to the practice of mindfulness. I read about a chapter per day, and found a lot to ponder. Trying the sample exercises was helpful and straightforward. A very interesting read on a topic I knew almost nothing about. Reassuring to see that mindfulness is part of a long tradition of Christian meditation and prayer, made more accessible by this excellent book. Recommended to anyone interested in the subject.