PraXis: Christian Wellness
By PraXis: Christian Wellness
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PraXis: Christian WellnessJul 11, 2021
EP 8: Demons in your head, Christian Mindfulness, and Prayer with psychologist Irene Kraegel
Irene Kraegel is a clinical psychologist and Christian mindfulness instructor. She is the author of the book, Christian Mindfulness: Cultivating a life of intentionality, openness and faith.
In her book, she states, “As we live through a season of pandemic illness, racial injustice, and national unrest- if there was ever a time that we need clear-eyed awareness, self-care tools, and effective action, this is it.”
She defines Christian Mindfulness as the practice of:
- Drawing us closer to God
- Calming out uncomfortable emotions
- Strengthening us through the challenges of this season
On this episode of the PraXis podcast, I sit down with Irene and we get into the weeds about how mindfulness works as well as:
- How it is similar to Christian contemplation practices like Centering Prayer?
- What are the specific clinical benefits of mindful practices?
- What the challenges for Christians who attempt these practices?
- And what about demons?
We explore all this and more in this in depth interview.
JOIN THE PRAXIS GROUP VIA ZOOM, EACH WEDS. 6 PM, PST
For more about Irene’s classes, speaking engagements and writings go to TheMindfulChristian.
Her book The Mindful Christian is available on Amazon.
PraXis explores the intersection of evidence-based wellness and Christian spiritual practice. Podcasts are recorded during our weekly Zoom session. Join us LIVE every Wed. 6 pm, PST
More at PraXis Wellness
EP 7: Faith Journey from Astronomy to Chair Yoga
Regular guest Phil Vestal of Ruah Space, talks about his own faith journey from the sciences, to Divinity school to embodied spiritual practices. Phil goes over a five-minute chair yoga practice at the end of the episode.
More from PraXis www.meetup.com/PraXis-Contemplative-Meditation-Group/
www.facebook.com/PraXisWellness
praxiswellness.center/
RuahSpace
https://ruahspace.com
EP 6: How the Church is Ignoring your Body
Our three regular guests, Pastor Andru Morgan of Parkrose United Methodist, Pastor Phil Vestal of RuahSpace and Pastor Aaron Miller of University Hill Congregation discuss how the Church is getting the body wrong. The human body that is. What is the Church missing out on when it abdicates the wellness realm to secularism and the New Age? What are the social justice implication of "fitness?" What about the F word (fat) in world where there is so much judgement and shame associated with weight-gain? The pastors dive into all these topics and more.
More from PraXis
https://praxiswellness.center
https://www.facebook.com/PraXisWellness
Or join us live each Thursday, on Zoom via MeetUp, at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST.
https://www.meetup.com/PraXis-Contemplative-Meditation-Group/
Parkrose United Methodist Church
https://www.facebook.com/parkroseumc
RuahSpace https://ruahspace.com
University Hill Congregation https://uhillcongregation.squarespace.com
EP 5.8: Introduction to Centering Prayer, 5 minutes of silence, with Father Nicholas Amato
Father Amato leads us into a 5-minute contemplative practice of sitting in silence with God.
This is commonly known as contemplative prayer, or centering prayer.
For the full interview with Father Amato: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yBQClWW1bk&t=1889s Links to Father Amato's books
Living in God: Contemplative Prayer and Contemplative Action
https://www.amazon.com/Living-God-Contemplative-Prayer-Action-ebook/dp/B0794NVN8Q
and Happiness and Joy: Can the Spiritual Life have Both?
https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Joy-Spiritual-Life-Have/dp/1935911449/ref=sr_1_1?
More from PraXis and Facebooks
https://praxiswellness.center https://www.facebook.com/PraXisWellness
Or join us live each Thursday, on Zoom via MeetUp, at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST.
https://www.meetup.com/PraXis-Contemplative-Meditation-Group/
EP 5.5: 20-minute introduction to Centering Prayer: Father Nicholas Amato
Father Amato leads us into a 20 minute contemplative practice of sitting in silence with God.
This is commonly known as contemplative prayer, or centering prayer.
For the full interview with Father Amato:
Links to Father Amato's books Living in God: Contemplative Prayer and Contemplative Action
and Happiness and Joy: Can the Spiritual Life have Both?
More from PraXis and Facebooks
Or join us live each Thursday, on Zoom via MeetUp, at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST.
EP 5: Nicholas Amato: Christian Wellness Guru
Father Nicholas Amato is 80-years old and runs three miles a day and walk another 15,000 steps. After talking with Ftr. Amato for a short while, you get the impression that he is just about the wellest person you'll ever meet.
If you like Richard Rohr and Cynthia Bourgeois, you will love Ftr. Amato. He is like a cross between Thomas Keating and a fitness coach. We talk about “the four legs” of the table of wellness practice, dreaming big and thinking small, tips on how to stay awake during contemplation and the differences between chasing happiness and waking up to joy.
The interview ends with a ten minute breathing exercise and 5 minutes of sitting silently in God’s presence.
Links to Father Amato's books
Living in God: Contemplative Prayer and Contemplative Action
and Happiness and Joy: Can the Spiritual Life have Both?
More from PraXis and Facebooks (of course)
Or join us live each Thursday, on Zoom via MeetUp, at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST.
EP 4: Christ's Divine Network and Christmas
Raised Pentecostal, and currently serving as a Methodist, Pastor Andru Morgan digs into what it means to be connected to All That Is, through Christ.
Join the group https://www.meetup.com/PraXis-Contemplative-Meditation-Group/
More at https://praxiswellness.center/
https://www.facebook.com/PraXisWellness
EP 3: Christian Yoga and Centering Prayer with Phil Vestal
Some people think Yoga is spiritually dangerous. Our guest Pastor Vestal says, no, BUT, there are things you should avoid as a Christian who confesses one God in Christ. He will go over that, and a whole lot more.
Enter the discount code: PRAXIS for 40% off monthly memberships at Ruah Space.
Phil Vestal is the co-founder of Ruah Space, a ministry that teaches and guides spiritual disciplines. Along with Phil’s wife Erin, Ruah is a “safe space” to practice mindful practices like Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina in combination with yoga-inspired embodied prayers and stretching.
Vestal is also the author of the book Reintroducing Revelation and a pastor in the Chicagoland area.
Ruah Space (use discount code PRAXIS) https://ruahspace.mykajabi.com/
Free Classes https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1wC...
More at https://praxiswellness.center/
EP 2: Christian Mind, Body, Spirit practices
The group talks about integrating a mind, body and Holy Spirit practice through fasting, fitness and mindfulness. Cornelius talks a little about the deepening level of physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual awareness that occurs during Centering Prayer. Then Pastor Aaron leads us into a 20 minute silent prayer.
PraXis is about the intersection of evidence-based wellness and Christian spiritual practices.
Here we talk about the idea of wellness and mindfulness from a Christian point of view.
Join us live on Zoom, every Weds. 6 pm, PST
More on Facebook, and MeetUp or at
PraXisWellness
EP 1: Christian Mindfulness with Rich Lewis: Centering Prayer Coach and Author
Author Rich Lewis provides insight into the most popular form of Christian Mindfulness-- Centering Prayer. We discuss the practice and then sit in silence for 20 minutes. [THIS RECORDING HAS 20 MINUTES OF SILENCE].
Join in the practice, or join us live on Zoom, every Weds. 6 pm, PST
Rich Lewis: Centering Prayer Coach
His Book Sitting with God
Free Sample of the Book
More on PraXis: Christian Wellness
Facebook.com/PraXisWellness
PraxisWellness.Center
EP 0: What is Christian Wellness, Mindfulness
PraXis is about the intersection of evidence-based wellness and Christian spiritual practices. Here we talk about the idea of wellness and mindfulness from a Christian point of view. Join us live on Zoom, every Weds. 6 pm, PST
More on Facebook and at PraXisWellness.Center