Book Study: Practice the Pause (3:30pm)

Service Description

Coming soon in January, we begin a new book study group. We will gather online for 8 Mondays and discuss the new book by Caroline Oakes, "Practice the Pause.” The full title is Practice the Pause: Jesus’ Contemplative Practice, New Brain Science, And What It Means To Be Fully Human. In this book, Ms. Oakes marries the new research on brain plasticity and the wisdom of Jesus to change and improve our physical and mental health and to deepen our relationship with the Divine. Her writing is accessible. She explains how the brain evolves even as we age. With chapters titled: "We are human, We are Divine," "Between Fight and Flight: The Revolutionary Third Way of Jesus," and many others, we are invited to consider Jesus' own spiritual practices. Caroline introduces us to the seven-second pause to become more "God aware," to become more self-aware, and better able to understand others. Author Carmen Acevedo Butcher said, "Caroline Oakes takes us on an inter-spiritual journey to awaken and keep aware the spark of the divine within." Caroline Oakes is a spiritual director, writer of books and essays, and has a master’s degree in ascetical theology from General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. Terry Cappiello (our book group facilitator) is a board member and retreat leader with the Franciscan Spiritual Center and a former mental health counselor, special education teacher, and college professor. She is gifted and inclusive in her capacity to draw people into discussion. This is an 8-week course meeting on Mondays. Due to the popularity of these courses, Terry is hosting two different groups (both on Mondays) from 3:30-5pm and 6:30-8pm. We begin January 15, 2024. Register on our website (or the links below). Purchase your book ahead of time. (We have copies at the Center for purchase.) Terry sends out the Zoom link and weekly discussion prompts. The discussion begins Monday, January 15 and continues for 8 Mondays. 3:30-5pm or 6:30-8pm Pacific Standard Time. We gather on Zoom.