J. Dana Trent

One Breath At A Time

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 15:02:00 GMT

Meditation is a practice growing in popularity. Used to reduce stress and to increase relaxation, meditative practices invite us to bring mindful attention to body and breath. But how does meditation fit into Christianity, and how does it differ from prayer?

One Breath at a Time: A Skeptic's Guide to Christian Meditation reframes meditation for those who are skeptical because (1) they doubt their ability to be still and quiet and (2) they doubt the validity of meditation as a Christian spiritual practice. Using scripture, theology, and examples from the early church, this book challenges the prayer habits of Christians that leave little room for enough silence to experience and listen for God.

Using five approaches?breath meditation, lectio divina, centering meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and devotional meditation?One Breath at a Time provides a practical, 40-day guide to beginning and sustaining a Christian meditation practice in an often chaotic world.

This eCourse, based on J. Dana Trent's book One Breath at a Time, offers basic instruction in the five approaches to meditation named above: breath meditation, lectio divina, centering meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and devotional meditation.

Learn first, and then practice! Following the basic instruction is an invitation and guide to 40 days of meditation practice. You are encouraged to work at your own pace. The eCourse content?videos, all the reading material from One Breath at a Time, and space for comments?is available anytime.

Participants in the eCourse are invited to join a live session with J. Dana Trent on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at noon (CDT). This session will be recorded for those unable to attend live. Register here.

Testimonials

"Whether you are new to meditation, lapsed in your practice, or simply curious, you have found the right teacher. Dana Trent is not only wise about the ways in which our tech-driven lives are stunting our spiritual growth but also serious about offering us an invitation to be still with God for a few moments each day. The added bonus of her skepticism is that she knows how hard that can be and why it remains essential for our soul's health.'
Barbara Brown Taylor, author of Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others

"Dana's journey into contemplation is, to me, a sign of the times. As we reach for a still point in the turning world, meditation isn't a flight from the world of action but a way of staying centered in the midst of it. One breath at a time, indeed."
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, author of Reconstructing the Gospel

For Sabbath's Sake

Tue, 24 May 2022 16:00:39 GMT

Discover a spiritual practice that helps you maintain spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental health.

"We toiled on computers seven days per week, rising as early as 4:00 a.m. to squeeze in spiritual quiet time before we both retreated to our respective laptops, typing the days (and weekends) away. Though I grew up keeping Sundays sacred, six years into our marriage, we'd fallen into the trap of using the Lord's Day to catch up. … At its worst, our church attendance was less than 50 percent. … I began, for the first time in my life, to understand why people don't attend church services."

—J. Dana Trent, chapter 1

In our culture of constant busyness, most of us feel like we're never caught up. The lines between home and work have blurred as we stay tethered to our mobile devices and computers. Many people use weekends to catch up on errands and other work that doesn't get done during the week. God's commandment to "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy" seems like a relic from a simpler time.

Many Americans balk at the idea of setting aside a whole day for worship, rest, and time with those who matter most to them. Yet we long for more time to spend on what matters most—unrushed time to rest, reconnect with friends and loved ones, and deepen our relationship with God.

An ancient spiritual practice exists that can help restore balance to our lives: the practice of keeping sabbath. But how exactly do we manage to build time for sabbath into our busy lives? Dana Trent explores this question in For Sabbath's Sake.

With humor and honesty, Trent reveals her own struggles with setting apart a day devoted to God, rest, and community. This book traces the rich history of sabbath, helps you find ways to overcome barriers to this spiritual practice, and suggests achievable ways to build sabbath into your life.

One Breath at a Time

Sat, 14 May 2022 01:42:06 GMT

In secular mainstream America, meditation has become as ubiquitous as yoga. But how does meditation fit into Christianity, and how does it differ from prayer?

One Breath at a Time: A Skeptic's Guide to Christian Meditation reframes meditation for those who are skeptical because (1) they doubt their ability to be still and quiet and (2) they doubt the validity of meditation as a Christian spiritual practice. Using scripture, theology, and examples from the early church, this book challenges the prayer habits of Christians that leave little room for enough silence to experience and listen for God.

Using five approaches—breath meditation, lectio divina, centering meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and devotional meditation—One Breath at a Time provides a practical, 40-day guide to beginning and sustaining a Christian meditation practice in an often chaotic world.

For Sabbath's Sake

Sat, 14 May 2022 01:33:59 GMT

Discover a spiritual practice that helps you maintain spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental health.

—J. Dana Trent, chapter 1

One Breath at a Time

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:30:56 GMT

In secular mainstream America, meditation has become as ubiquitous as yoga. But how does meditation fit into Christianity, and how does it differ from prayer?

For Sabbath's Sake

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:22:13 GMT

Discover a spiritual practice that helps you maintain spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental health.

—J. Dana Trent, chapter 1