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:

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:

We explore all this and more in this in depth interview.

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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

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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.  

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.  

Father Amato leads us into a 5-minute contemplative practice of sitting in silence with God.

Father Amato leads us into a 20 minute contemplative practice of sitting in silence with God.

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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

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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.

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.  

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.

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].