The spaces in between the big events of our lives aren't meant to be forgotten or stuffed with useless tasks. They are meant to bring the important things in life back into focus.
“The quiet moments—rests—in your day make your whole day sound well.”
Take the moments in between tasks on a busy day, at the end of the day, as evening falls. Do nothing, but do it with purpose and meaning. Do nothing to become fully awake and remember who you are. Take those moments and make them your own.
These meditations, reflections, and wise stories remind us to pause while also providing a restful retreat for weary eyes, a sumptuous feast for hungry spirits, and a celebration of images and words to help us travel to the places where our hearts can be restored.
From feeling the texture of your clothing to writing a note to a friend by hand, David Kundtz's inspired stories and well-chosen quotes provide moments to reflect on what is what.
David Kundtz, S.Th.D., author and speaker, is a psychotherapist in private practice and director of Inside Track Seminars, which offers workshops in the areas of stress management and emotional health. He is the author of Nothing's Wrong: A Man's Guide to Managing His Feelings and the international bestseller Stopping: How to Be Still When You Have to Keep Going. He lives in Kensington, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Conari Press
An Imprint of Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
www.conari.com
CONARI PRESS
Moments In Between
The Art of the Quiet Mind
David Kundtz
First published in 2006 by Conari Press,
an imprint of Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
With offices at:
500 Third Street, Suite 230
San Francisco, CA 94107
www.redwheelweiser.com
Design copyright © 2006 Conari Press Text copyright © 2000 by David Kundtz All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages. Portions of this book were originally published in 2000 by Conari Press as Everyday Serenity under ISBN: 1-57324-162-8.
1SBN-10:1-57324-276-4
ISBN-13:978-1-57324-276-9
Photography credits: Animal Vegetable Mineral Bill Bachman © Digital Vision: 8, 24, 35, 44, 56, 77, 85, 88, 100, 107, 114, 123. Study of Form and Color Anthony Ise © Photodisc: 1, 6, 20, 28, 30, 42, 49, 53, 60, 64, 68, 72, 80, 82, 92, 96, 104, 108, 118. Flowers © Corbis: 12, 17, 39, 111, 128.
Book design by Kathleen Wilson Fivel Typeset in Linotype Avenir and Monotype Bembo
Printed in China
MD
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
I dedicate this book of reflectionsto all the clients, past and present, of my counseling practicein gratitude for your trust.
Your stories are for me,without exception, pure grace.
It is because artists do not practice, patrons do not patronize, crowds do not assemble to reverently worship the great work of Doing Nothing, that the world has lost its philosophy….
—G. K. Chesterton
A New Way of Dealing with Life
Creating Opportunities for Serenity
A New Way of Dealing with Life
Welcome
Welcome to a new way to cope with the demands of a too-busy life.
Welcome to a way that requires no difficult skills, adds no new burdens, and accommodates all spiritual systems and lifestyles.
Welcome to all who want to do nothing—more often, more creatively, with joy, and without guilt.
Welcome to one-minute retreats that can be yours at any time of the day or night.
Welcome to a quiet mind—tranquility, calmness, and clarity—in the midst of a too-busy world.
Welcome to moments of both rest and insight.
Welcome to a quiet mind and the moments in between.
David Kundtz
Kensington, California
One
Still Moments in Busy Days
Sounding Well