Jacob Z. Hess - The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-Day Saints

Praise for The Power of Stillness

The strength of this book is in its recovery of those principles of stillness and the contemplative life that are inherent in Restoration scripture and teachings. A practical guide to a dimension of discipleship too often lost amid the intense pace of church activity.

Terryl Givens , coauthor of The Christ Who Heals

We have repeatedly been counseled regarding the negative consequences of living in a fast-paced, constantly plugged-in world, but the fact is that most of us dont know exactly how to extricate ourselves from all of it. We cant simply drop out of life. This volume is full of practical hows for living in this world while being more fully tuned in to the things of the soul. A useful and timely addition to the Latter-day Saint library.

Virginia Pearce Cowley , author of Through His Eyes

Consistently practicing the principles taught in The Power of Stillness has awakened my soul to the vastness and richness of living a Christ-centered life. I have found this kind of quiet sacred stillnesstime communing with Godopens a reservoir of love, compassion, grace, and peace. These moments of intimate connection deepen and strengthen spiritual capacities that have helped me navigate every aspect of my life. The principles taught in this book, if consistently practiced, can be transformative.

Debi Barley , Latter-day Saint mindfulness teacher,
Layton, Utah

The Power of Stillness demonstrates that mindfulness is implicit in the restored gospel and in life skills that are consistent with gospel living. Through numerous practical examples, it reveals how being still, present, and mindful opens us up more fully to the influence of the Spirit in various aspects of our lives. It reminds us of the message of so many ancient and modern prophets that when we are still we find God. I expect it to be a landmark in introducing mindfulness to more Latter-day Saints.

John T. Kesler , Director of Salt Lake Civil Network and
Latter-day Saint Zen meditation teacher

For anyone who has felt inclined to engage in meditation and mindfulness but wondered if this is consistent with their own religious beliefs, The Power of Stillness provides profound reassurance. More than that, it makes a compelling case for ways that a mindfulness practice can significantly deepen spirituality within a mainstream religious life. Given the many benefits associated with mindfulness, reading this book could be nothing short of life-changing.

Valerie Bentley , PhD, mindfulness program expert

In these troubled times, The Power of Stillness reminds us how a quiet mind and open heart can help us find deeper peace, hope, and healing. I began a daily mindfulness practice when I was a young mother of a whole passel of small children. Alongside sacramental cleansing and temple renewing ordinances, this practice literally saved my life! I learned how to receive the gifts available to all who are willing to slow down and ask!

Shauna May , wife, mother, stepmother, and grandmother

Living the principles taught in this wonderful book has brought balance and a quiet joy into my life in the gospel. We speak of Gods presence as a place and state of being for which we must seek, and yet often forget that practicing our own quality of presence in our faith (by actually being present) will assist us with this. In the past I have wondered if there was room for me in our busy church to be a practitioner of mindfulness. Increasingly, I ask myself, How can I live my faith fully without incorporating these things?

Mark de St. Aubin , church member

Practicing the principles articulated in The Power of Stillness has deepened and enriched every aspect of my worship experience. Living increasingly in this way has helped me open my heart to receive the pure love and compassion that is at the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ, thus transforming my relationship with the Lord, with others, and with myself.

Rachel Reist, LCSW , mindfulness teacher

Image Credits : : Bruce Kaplan/The New Yorker/Cartoon Stock, www.CartoonStock.com

2019 Jacob Z. Hess, Carrie L. Skarda, Kyle D. Anderson, Ty R. Mansfield

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Deseret Book Company, at permissions@deseretbook.com or PO Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130. This work is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed herein are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church or of Deseret Book Company.

Deseret Book is a registered trademark of Deseret Book Company.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

(CIP data on file)

ISBN 978-1-62972-690-8

eISBN 978-1-62973-936-6

Printed in the United States of America

LSC Communications, Crawfordsville, IN

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Cover image: djgis/Shutterstock.com

Book design Deseret Book Company

Art direction: Richard Erickson

Cover design: Heather G. Ward

Contents

Acknowledgments

I extend deep gratitude to my wife, Monique, and mindfulness teachers Vicki Overfelt, Thomas McConkie, and (from afar) Jon Kabat-Zinnalong with Lou Bean, my high school creative writing teacher, for planting the earliest seed of my future passion for conscious, affectionate awareness of the moment. Also, special thanks to Debi Todd and Davis Behavioral Health, for opportunities to teach and get trained as a mindfulness teacher, and to Rachel Reiss, Valerie Bentley, and the other Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction teachers in Utah for their support. And finally, appreciation to Michael Taylor for research assistance on the book and to Celia Barnes and Emily Watts for tough-love writing feedback and wise editing guidance.

JZH

I am indebted to my wise mindfulness and meditation teachers, especially my Grandma Woolsey, who stayed fully present while playing endless rounds of catch with me, and my Grandma Ulrich, who made her home a peaceful and joyful retreat center. Im indebted to my parents, who inspired in me the desire and confidence to write, and to my husband and children for their unwavering support.

CLS

I am constantly impressed and grateful for the courage and openness of so many to consider ideas that feel new and challenging. A special thanks to my wife, Jenny Wardle Anderson, three daughters, and extended family, who have been supportive of this project to invigorate lives and enrich faith.

KDA

There are so many who have influenced and walked with me on this beautiful and unique journeytoo many to mentionbut I am first indebted to my wife and five children for their unquestioning support, patience, and presence. A special thanks as well to Jackie Halstead, whose presence inspired and taught me that there was a world of wisdom in the contemplative traditions, which ignited a journey to know God in deeper ways. Thanks to all the mindfulness and gospel teachers along the way whose lives have blessed and shaped mine.

TRM

Introduction

Not Feeling It Anymore:
Little Time, Little Space, Little Spirituality

Theres so much good in the gospel.
Whats wrong with me that I feel so burned out?

O ne of the most dramatic portrayals of the redemptive power of stillness is hidden in an ancient story familiar to all Christians.

A woman, caught in adultery, is brought to Jesus by people ready to participate in one of the most extreme displays of powertaking someone elses life. Confronted by these indignant accusers, the Lord doesnt try to overpower them with dramatic words or shouting. Nor does He step away in fearalthough the crowd could have become a danger to Him as well.