The author is a Catholic professor and counselor; the book is not just for Christians. It’s a quick and easy read: about 200 pages, with small pages and lots of white space. Some notes:
- Here’s a good Thomas Merton quote (133): “Admit your mistakes, then move on.”
- The book emphasizes the importance of being 95 percent in the present, rather than worrying about the past or future.
- Prayer and meditation tips are provided: (a) sit with the back straight and hands in the lap; (b) breathe easily and deeply through the nose; (c) let your thoughts move through you like a train, and don’t stop or get on any one car; and (d) use a one-word mantra (love, Jesus, kindness, etc.) to “center your heart.”
- Here’s an interesting idea (chapter 6): Look at yourself objectively and ask what sort of person God wants you to be, in light of your innate gifts.
- A central, Methodist-like theme is “Forming ‘A Little Rule’: Developing a Practice of Prayer,” which involves silence, solitude, prayer, Scripture, faith-sharing — all on a regular basis (a chapter on each in this section).
So there are some good things in the book, but not much great or profound.