Product Description
Authors: Jacob Z. Hess, Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson and Ty Mansfield
About Product: Latter-day Saints are great at getting things done. But for some, an over-emphasis on “doing” can cause us to go through the motions and miss the deep, rich spiritual power that can come from being still. Sometimes, we try to dig ourselves out of feeling spiritually drained by doing more. When that doesn’t work, we can feel stuck—and arrive at one of two conclusions: the Church “formula”’ isn’t working so it must have been wrong to begin with, or maybe something is wrong with us? There is a third alternative—that our spirituality could reignite by approaching it from a more “mindful” place. When it feels like we’re on a runaway train, mindfulness returns us to a peaceful place where we can observe our thoughts and feelings without jumping on board with them. Using Latter-day Saint vernacular and examples, The Power of Stillness explores the ways in which mindfulness can deepen testimonies of the gospel. Practicing mindful principles can reinvigorate the joy inherent in our faith and helps us feel calmer, more present and engaged in our lives, and more spiritually connected to our Savior.
Praise for The Power of Stillness: There seems to be a lot of buzz about stillness these days—an interesting paradox. Sadly, our world has pitted religion against spirituality as we strive to live more mindfully. This book reminds us we need both! We don't leave the Church in search of stillness. We find it within our covenant relationship with Christ. Take a break from the crazy business of life and read this book. You will be glad you did.
—Brad Wilcox, BYU professor and author of The Continuous Atonement and Changed through His Grace
Historically, contemplation (or meditation) has played a crucial role in Christian life and faith. This book represents an important step toward bringing this vitalizing spiritual practice back into view in the restored gospel.
—Thomas McConkie, Founder, Lower Lights School of Wisdom
The Power of Stillness is changing how I relate to my physical and emotional suffering, my work and my weakness, my most loving and my most troubling relationships, and my deepest spiritual struggles and longings. That's a lot to ask of one book. This one delivers. The book helps us build a crucial spiritual skill most of us don't even know we lack: the ability to be resiliently, compassionately present—with ourselves, with others, and with God.
—Wendy Ulrich, PhD, author of Live Up to Our Privileges: Women, Power, and Priesthood
About the Authors: Jacob Hess, PhD, is a qualified MBSR Instructor through the Center for Mindfulness at UMASS Medical School and has taught both adult and teen classes.
Carrie Skarda, PsyD, is a psychologist in private practice in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has provided individual and couples therapy, with particular interest in attachment trauma and mindfulness, for 18 years.
Kyle David Anderson, PhD, is the Director of the Center of Global Citizenship at Centre College, a small liberal arts college outside of Lexington, KY. Kyle helped to found the college’s Meditation Centre group.
Ty R. Mansfield, PhD, is a practicing marriage and family therapist and an adjunct instructor in Religious Education at BYU. Ty is currently in the process of certification in the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher training program.
Pages: 214
Deseret Book
