MSI Press Blog

  In a world that rushes, mindfulness invites us to pause. It’s not a trend or a technique—it’s a way of being. A gentle return to the present moment, where breath meets awareness and thought softens into observation. Whether you're walking through a Mission garden, editing a tribute, or simply sipping tea beside a sleeping cat, mindfulness is the art of noticing without judgment. 🧘 What Is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention—on purpose, in the present moment, and without criticism. It’s not about emptying the mind but about witnessing it. Thoughts come and go like clouds across the sky. We don’t chase them or resist them. We simply notice. This practice has roots in Buddhist tradition, but it’s found in many spiritual paths, including Christian contemplative prayer and Franciscan simplicity. It’s also supported by modern science, shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and deepen emotional resilience. 🕯️ Everyday Mindfulness You don’t need a medita...

  Precerpt (excerpt prior to publication) from   Pathways to Inner Peace  by Diane Dreher, currently available on pre-order. TAKING A MINDFUL PAUSE WEEK 1, DAY 6 Taking a mindful pause throughout our days can help us overcome the constant rushing of the hurry sickness and restore our oneness with the present moment. Many of us are caught up in hurry because we cram too many activities into our days. Pausing to reflect at the end of the day and mindfully review the next day’s plans can bring us greater perspective.  If tomorrow’s schedule looks too busy, we can delay, delegate, or delete some tasks to make our day more manageable. We can also pause throughout the day, taking slow, deep, mindful breaths to become more present. My colleague Andre Delbecq, former dean of Santa Clara’s business school, used to encourage busy Silicon Valley CEOs to pause each morning for a mindful moment before getting out of their cars at work in order to be more fully present that ...

  Precerpt (excerpt prior to publication) from   Pathways to Inner Peace  by Diane Dreher, currently available on pre-order. TAKING A MINDFUL MOMENT WEEK 1, DAY 2 We’ll begin this week’s practices by mindfully bringing our attention to the present moment. Mindfulness, according to Jon Kabat-Zinn, “is awareness, cultivated by paying attention in a sustained and particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (2012, p. 1). So much of life can pass us by when we are disconnected from the present moment. Becoming mindfully present is simple, but not easy, especially in our Western world that emphasizes external accomplishments and offers so many distractions. The present moment embodies the Taoist concept of wu-wei— being, not doing. When we’re in a state of being, we are present, in touch with our feelings. We’re not distracted, not emotionally numb, not driven by stress or feeling disconnected and alone, but present in this moment, connected t...