My Favorite Books to Deepen Your Practice of Stillness
Stillness is simple, but it isn’t always easy. Our days are often filled with noise ~ emails, notifications, endless to-do lists, and the constant hum of responsibilities. Even when we want to pause, it can feel nearly impossible to quiet our minds and rest in God’s presence.
That’s where the wisdom of others can help. Books have been companions for me on the journey toward stillness ~ guides that remind me of what truly matters, teachers who point me toward rhythms of rest, and voices that help me trust the quiet as a sacred gift.
Below are some of my favorite resources for deepening your practice of stillness. Each one has shaped me in unique ways, and I believe they can encourage you, too.
(Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this work!)
Into the Silent Land: The Practice of Contemplation by Martin Laird
An instant classic of contemporary spirituality, bringing together an engaging introduction to the Christian contemplative tradition for people inside or on the margins of the churches who feel drawn to the world of silent prayer. Martin Laird shows how silence and meditation can offer a remedy to many contemporary dilemmas and emotional struggles.
Writing with great clarity, depth and authority, Laird examines the meditative methods and traditions found within contemplative prayer. He also explores the role of breath and awareness in the spiritual life, which, while usually associated with Buddhism, is also an ancient concern of Christian thinkers. Into the Silent Land brings together scholarship, pastoral practice and the author’s own personal experience. It offers new insights for the student but is especially intended for the non-specialist reader who feels drawn to the world of silent prayer and is looking to the Christian contemplative tradition for inspiration and guidance.
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault’s
Practitioners of Centering Prayer are known for the great enthusiasm they bring to the practice of this ancient discipline. Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening is a complete guidebook for all who wish to know the practice of Centering Prayer. Cynthia Bourgeault goes further than offering an introduction, however. She examines how the practice is related to the classic tradition of Christian contemplation, looks at the distinct nuances of its method, and explores its revolutionary potential to transform Christian life.
The book encourages dialogue between Centering Prayer enthusiasts and those classic institutions of Christian nurture-churches, seminaries, and schools of theology-that have yet to accept real ownership of the practice and its potential.
Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O’Donohue
A special twenty-fifth anniversary edition of the classic work of Celtic spirituality and mysticism by beloved poet and philosopher, John O'Donohue, with a new introduction by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, an afterword by the late author’s brother, Pat O'Donohue, and insightful material from O'Donohue's circle of close friends.
In this revered classic, John O’Donohue excavates themes of friendship, belonging, solitude, creativity and the imagination, among many others. Widely recognized for bringing Celtic spirituality into modern dialogue, his unique insights from the ancient world speak with urgency for our need to rediscover the thresholds of the soul.
With lyrical wisdom and fluency, O'Donohue encourages pathways of discovery to come home to the natural rhythm in ourselves in sacred connection with one another and the landscapes we inhabit. This timeless collection nourishes the heart and elevates the spirit. It is "a book to read and reread forever.” (Irish Times)
Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer by Thomas Keating
A poetic and accessible introduction to the method of Centering Prayer, this guide explains its origins, theological basis, and psychology by drawing on the writings of important Catholic figures, such as St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, and significant texts, such as The Cloud of Unknowing. Describing the theological basis for the Centering Prayer while staying rooted in the heart of a practice that is very personal and intimate, the study explores how harmful attitudes and beliefs about God can distort a positive relationship with the divine.
With a careful balance of both Christian and Buddhist philosophy, the volume also discusses the psychological barriers and levels of resistance that contemplatives must face and bolsters seekers with supportive practices like Lectio Divina (holy reading) and praying the rosary. Updated to include a new foreword, this revised edition of a much loved classic is sure to inspire a deeply intimate experience with God.
The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers by Henri Nouwen
Newly repackaged with a Nouwen series look, this modern classic that interweaves the solitude, silence, and prayer of the fifth-century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers with our contemporary search for an authentic spirituality
Henry J.M. Nowuen, one of the greatest of all spiritual writers, invites us to search deeply for the well-springs that nourish true ministry in his classic The Way of the Heart.
Interweaving the solitude, silence, and prayer of the fifth-century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers with our contemporary search for an authentic spirituality, The Way of the Heart not only leads us to a fuller encounter with God, but to a more creative ministry with our fellow human beings. Here is one of the most profound works from a writer known for his fresh and perceptive insights—and who stands alongside C.S. Lewis and Thomas Merton as an essential Christian scholar and thinker.
These books remind me that stillness is not about withdrawing from life but about learning to live with greater presence ~ presence to ourselves, to others, and to God. Whether you’re just beginning to explore stillness or you’ve been practicing it for years, each of these books has something unique to offer.
If you’re longing to create more space for God in your life, I encourage you to pick one of these titles and let it be a companion on your journey.
Which of these books do you feel most drawn to right now?
