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What might happen if we listened more deeply to the wisdom of our bodies? How might listening with our whole selves change the way we listen to God?Many of us long to hear God's voice, yet we often overlook the great wisdom God gave us in our bodies. There is a deep connection between our bodies and spirits.
A stroke at age 31 forced Whitney Simpson to slow down and listen more deeply to her body. In the process she discovered how to listen more deeply to God. During her journey of healing and wholeness, Whitney explored ancient practices that she found helpful in connecting her body and spirit, including:
Listening to God with the entire body, not simply with our ears, may seem like a strange concept. Yet God created the body and the breath as gifts for us to explore. Most important, we don't have to experience a crisis to learn to listen to God's activity in and around us. Each of us can slow down and listen for God just as we are-in breath, body, and spirit. This 40-day guide offers themed daily meditations for your breath, body and spirit. Each meditation includes scripture, yoga postures, a breath prayer, suggested essential oils for aromatherapy, and reflection questions. The book provides descriptions and simple illustrations of yoga poses and suggests seated poses as modifications, making it accessible to both experienced yoga practitioners and those new to yoga. Allow this book to invite you on a journey of holy listening as you explore ancient tools and new ways of experiencing the presence of God. |
Praise for Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit
Whitney Simpson’s unique approach to communion with God draws on lectio divina, prayer, yoga, aromatherapy, and journaling. The combination of different elements from different spiritual traditions might seem surprising, but they came together in Whitney’s own experience as she recovered from a stroke as a young mom. Now she invites readers to explore for themselves—to engage body, mind, spirit, and soul in holy listening for God. May this journey for each reader be as healing and beautiful as this book.
— APRIL YAMASAKI
Lead pastor of a midsize multicultural congregation, Abbotsford, Canada
Author of Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal
aprilyamasaki.com and whenyouworkforthechurch.com
Within spiritual formation lies a real need for theory of incarnational spiritual disciplines to actually become practice. As a spiritual director and a Christian yoga instructor, I am often asked for at-home resources that will help cultivate rhythms of whole-body listening prayer. Whitney’s guide pioneers the marrying of ancient practices that create intentional awareness of God’s intersection with our entire humanness: body, breath, and God’s Spirit in us. This book is a treasure!
-- JILL FISK
Spiritual Director and Yoga Instructor
Soul Care Director for Holy Yoga Ministries
So often I ignore my own body, breath, and spirit. Whitney’s story and practical words called me back to a stillness that helped me attend to these parts of me—but, more important, to be present with God. If you have ever been intimidated by the thought of slowing down and listening to God, or if you are looking for a different experience of quiet time with God, you need this book!
— JACOB ARMSTRONG
Founding Pastor, Providence Church, Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Author of Interruptions, The God Story, and Loving Large
I lean toward an academic faith. I am most at home with thick commentaries and deep nonfiction reads. I have been known to poke fun at my “crunchy” essential oils-loving friends. So, I must admit, I was a bit skeptical when my dear friend Whitney Simpson asked me to preview Holy Listening with Body, Breath, and the Spirit. To my surprise and great delight, I discovered a depth, richness, and embodiment I hadn’t realized I was longing for. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique way to pursue a holistic and flourishing faith.
— ALEAH MARSDEN
Writer, speaker, and communications director
www.AleahMarsden.com
— APRIL YAMASAKI
Lead pastor of a midsize multicultural congregation, Abbotsford, Canada
Author of Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal
aprilyamasaki.com and whenyouworkforthechurch.com
Within spiritual formation lies a real need for theory of incarnational spiritual disciplines to actually become practice. As a spiritual director and a Christian yoga instructor, I am often asked for at-home resources that will help cultivate rhythms of whole-body listening prayer. Whitney’s guide pioneers the marrying of ancient practices that create intentional awareness of God’s intersection with our entire humanness: body, breath, and God’s Spirit in us. This book is a treasure!
-- JILL FISK
Spiritual Director and Yoga Instructor
Soul Care Director for Holy Yoga Ministries
So often I ignore my own body, breath, and spirit. Whitney’s story and practical words called me back to a stillness that helped me attend to these parts of me—but, more important, to be present with God. If you have ever been intimidated by the thought of slowing down and listening to God, or if you are looking for a different experience of quiet time with God, you need this book!
— JACOB ARMSTRONG
Founding Pastor, Providence Church, Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Author of Interruptions, The God Story, and Loving Large
I lean toward an academic faith. I am most at home with thick commentaries and deep nonfiction reads. I have been known to poke fun at my “crunchy” essential oils-loving friends. So, I must admit, I was a bit skeptical when my dear friend Whitney Simpson asked me to preview Holy Listening with Body, Breath, and the Spirit. To my surprise and great delight, I discovered a depth, richness, and embodiment I hadn’t realized I was longing for. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique way to pursue a holistic and flourishing faith.
— ALEAH MARSDEN
Writer, speaker, and communications director
www.AleahMarsden.com
