Practice the Pause: Jesus' Contemplative Practice, New Brain Science, and What It Means to Be Fully Human

I love this book! It is quite the treasure and addition to my library; I know I’ll use it as a reference for years to come. I appreciate how Oakes’s scientific research validates the brain benefits of meditation and contemplative practices. As someone who mostly enjoys centering prayer (silence) to connect with myself and God, Practice the Pause was very affirming and encouraging. I felt more in touch with my authentic self. Excellent book!

Understanding the science of neuro systems in our brain sets the groundwork, the calibration, for transformation. This book offers a brilliant hodgepodge of science, psychology, and religion to produce a workable, understandable roadmap to return to the person we really are and the person we were meant to be.

This is such a good book. Like, so so good. I resonated with the audio book so much that I had to buy the paperback version, because I decided that I simply needed the beauty of the words in front of me to take them in as much as possible. The research is stunning, and an affirmation of the felt sense that I receive in centering prayer. I love the work of Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr and Cynthia Bourgeault, and this work is very much in alignment with the sentiment and compassion they bring forth…It beautifully gets at articulating the original mission of Jesus, and I am very much grateful for it.

I have a doctorate in counseling psychology. I am also a Gnostic Christian minister. From 30 years experience meditating and teaching mindfulness, I can tell you this is the very best Christian Meditation book available. You would have to buy several books to get the same theological, psychological and physiological information. The writer puts it together in very accessible way for the average reader.I wish she would have included references to Gnostic Christianity, which leads to inner spiritual awareness. If you read the Gospel of Thomas, you will get a better picture of Christian introspection. However, the material is still worthy. It's a must have for any spiritual seeker!

Wow...you need to buy this book if you're at all interested in this topic. I've been practicing Centering Prayer for nine years and the author goes into very easy to read, very easy to comprehend, but also very detailed information on the foundation(s) and the positive outcomes for meditative or contemplative practices. This is a must read.

I feel like I’ve been searching for Caroline Oakes’ “Practice the Pause” for most of my adult life. After going to parochial school and serving as a Catholic altar boy, I always felt a strange disconnect between the stories and words of Jesus of Nazareth from the Gospels and what I was hearing from the pulpit and from the western Christian culture I was raised in. Then I heard an episode of This Undivided Life podcast in which Caroline Oakes spoke of her research of eastern wisdom-focused Christianity and the importance of stillness, focus, breathing, and contemplation, and her book “Practice the Pause”. I purchased the book immediately, and it did not disappoint. I found myself nodding and highlighting continuously. Such a refreshing authentic take on Christianity and the messages and actions of Jesus.

Book in great condition.Got it onto my.

Do yourself and favor and grab this book. The first three chapters alone are worth it

I encountered this book through the Companioning Center, a place to be trained amd formed as a spiritual director. This book is has the potential to transform how you walk with the Divine. Caroline Oakes, brings together the contemplative practice of Jesus, new brain science and how to be fully human. I know it is a book that is transforming me and will be a help as I host space for others. This book has encouraged me to be continually in God’s formative presence.