PraXis: Christian Wellness PraXis: Christian Wellness

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.

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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

More at PraXis Wellness 

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

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

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/

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. 

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.