Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness

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)

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

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