The Stillness Within: Reclaiming the Gospel Through Mindfulness

How often do we find ourselves rushing through sacrament meeting, skimming scriptures, and feeling…empty? Not in a lack of doctrine, surely – the covenants are eternal and the truth is boundless – but in a sense of spiritual disconnection, a feeling that something vital is missing. As Jacob Hess observes in the recent podcast episode, this isn’t necessarily a rejection of the gospel itself, but rather an “impoverished experience” – a device malfunctioning, not broken beyond repair. The solution, he suggests, isn’t a wholesale replacement, but an upgrade, a deliberate pause to reconnect with the source of that power.

The conversation with Hess and Mansfield, drawing from their upcoming book *The Power of Stillness*, isn't advocating for a foreign concept imported from Eastern traditions. Rather, it's a rediscovery of a principle already present within the Restoration. President David O. McKay called meditation “one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord” – a sentiment that echoes the ancient practice of seeking divine communion through quiet contemplation, a practice deeply rooted in the scriptures. Think of Nephi’s solitary fasts and prayers, the prophet Isaiah’s call to “seek ye the Lord while he may be found” (Isaiah 55:6), or even the deliberate stillness required to discern the voice of the Spirit in our own lives.

What Hess and Mansfield articulate so clearly is that mindfulness isn’t about achieving a state of perpetual calm; it’s about *being present* with whatever arises – pain, anxiety, doubt, even joy – without judgment. It's the courage to unclench our fists and acknowledge the reality of our circumstances, knowing that even in the midst of suffering, the Lord’s grace is available. As Hess states, “if we're hurting, if we can unclench our fists and just say, okay, I'm feeling angry or I'm feeling really sad…if we can be a little more gentle with the pain.” This is not passivity; it is a powerful form of engagement, a prerequisite for genuine repentance and growth.

Too often, our busyness—both in our personal lives and within the structure of the Church—becomes a barrier to revelation. We are “anxiously engaged,” as Hess describes it, striving and achieving, yet remaining disconnected from the source of true peace and power. The deliberate practice of stillness provides a counterpoint to this relentless pace, a space to hear the still, small voice that guides us toward righteousness. It requires intentionality, a conscious choice to resist the allure of distraction and embrace the quietness that allows the Spirit to penetrate our hearts.

This isn't merely a personal discipline; it's a collective responsibility. As leaders and members, we are called to cultivate environments that foster stillness and reflection—in our families, our wards, and our communities. It’s a challenge to our cultural norms, to our ingrained habits, but the reward – a deeper, more meaningful connection with the Lord – is immeasurable. Let us heed the counsel of the prophets and apostles, and seek out the “secret, most sacred doors” that lead us closer to Him.

Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into these principles and practical suggestions for incorporating stillness into your daily life.