Be still, and know that I am God. – Psalm 46: 10
Stillness is a diminishing commodity in our lives, yet it is through stillness of body, mind, and soul that we strengthen our capacity to listen to God’s voice. Mindfulness is a practice, grounded in stillness, that has been an integral element of religious and spiritual traditions for millennia. More recently, mindfulness has gained widespread attention in nonreligious settings, including mental health.
In a four-week series we explored: what mindfulness is (and isn’t); the roots of mindfulness practice in the Christian historical tradition; how mindfulness seems to work in the brain and body; some basic techniques for cultivating a more mindful approach to life; and several contemporary practices of mindfulness-based Christian contemplative prayer. Each one-hour session will include presentation materials, and the opportunity for a brief experience of each contemplative prayer practice.
Steve Herbes has more than 30 years’ experience in several mindfulness-based meditative and Christian contemplative practices. He and his wife Liz have been members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Oak Ridge since 1977, where he has served twice on the Vestry, and in lay ministry roles in Christian Education, Parish Life, and Pastoral Care. He is a licensed professional counselor in private practice in Oak Ridge, working with persons experiencing loss and life transitions, and frequently draws on mindfulness techniques in his counseling work. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Health, and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. He and Liz have two adult children and two grandchildren.