Shining like the Sun offers seven mindful practices--attentiveness, ordinariness, simplicity, rhythms, conversation, delight, and restoration--that guide readers to wake up to God as a living reality and to come alive in their bodies, minds, hearts, and deep in their souls. Through stories that illuminate each practice, simple observations, and tangible suggestions for how to embody each practice, readers will discover that God is hidden deep inside their own being. Whether changing diapers, stuck in traffic, or enjoying a glass of wine, we can touch God in any ordinary moment. We can always come alive. Written from a primarily Christian perspective, it draws from a variety of sources from the major world religions and will appeal to anyone who wants to cultivate mindfulness to get in touch with God as a living reality.
Steve Wiens is a speaker, writer, and host of the weekly podcast This Good Word, an exploration of whatAs holy about our humanity. He is author of Whole (2017) and Beginnings (2016). He and his wife, Mary, live in Maple Grove, Minnesota, with their three children.
Introduction Practice #1: Attentiveness I want to see where God is active in this ordinary world, so I will practice attentiveness: learning to see all there is to see, and know all there is to know, in each moment. Practice #2: Ordinariness I want to know and honor my true self, so I will practice ordinariness: Turning away from who I should be and returning to who I am. Practice #3: Simplicity I want to stay responsive to what's important, so I will practice simplicity: learning to quiet my mind when it is overwhelmed by learning to listen to my body, who will guide me with deep, inner wisdom. Practice #4: Rhythm I want to live in harmony with all of creation, so I will practice rhythm: learning to hear and play my part in the song the universe is singing. Practice #5: Conversation I want to be led to all that is good and true, so I practice conversation: learning to ask questions that show interest in people and in process, trusting in the unfolding work of mystery as I continually expand how I see and understand the world. Practice #6: Delight I want to respond to the world with wonder and awe instead of cynicism and self-protection, so I will practice delight: learning to reject that labels I am given and the labels I give others, in order to experience the beauty that is bigger. Practice #7: Restoration I want to reflect the vulnerability of God to others, so I will practice restoration: learning to receive the weakness, fragility, and loneliness in myself and others for our mutual healing.
"On every page Wiens reveals where to find God. It isn't easy. It's really simple. Exactly." --Jon M. Sweeney, coauthor, Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart "With wit and wisdom Wiens takes us to the depths of reality, where our faith is stirred. If you miss the childlike wonder that once intuited there was more to life than meets the eye, commune with these pages and you just might find your soul." --Phileena Heuertz, founding partner, Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism; author of Pilgrimage of a Soul: Contemplative Spirituality for the Active Life and Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation "Wiens circles round questions that have intrigued people for millennia: Where am I? When am I? What is God? How do I love? He provides comfort and confrontation. He takes his faith as seriously as his doubt, and offers practices that exercise both body and belief." --Padraig O Tuama, author of In the Shelter; inaugural poet laureate of The On Being Projec "Wiens winsomely guides readers through a collection of time-tested spiritual practices that will ground them in the present moment and grow their awareness of God's loving presence." --Ed Cyzewski, author of Flee, Be Silent, Pray and Reconnect: Spiritual Restoration from Digital Distraction "In a world where it seems everyone is deconstructing faith, it's refreshing to read a book about rekindling faith. Trust the guidance of Steve Wiens as he offers an invitation to practices that will lead you to communion with the divine." --Karen Gonzalez, author of The God Who Sees "I would follow Steve Wiens anywhere. In Shining Like the Sun, he asks us to follow him on a search for God. Sign me up." --Shawn Smucker, author of Light from Distant Stars
