Passionate Presence: Seven Qualities of Awakened Awareness

by Catherine Ingram

Book Overview

Based on more than three decades of leading dharma sessions and retreats, Catherine Ingram celebrates seven qualities of awakened awareness that consistently emerge when we are in our right hearts and minds: tenderness, embodiment, genuineness, discernment, delight, wonder, and silence. Through stories and personal reflections, she encourages readers to recognize these traits within ourselves as a reminder of our inherent wisdom.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0978919319
• ISBN13: 9780978919313
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Catherine Ingram
• Length: 172 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Food for the soul

This lovely book shares the wisdom of a teacher of silent meditation and Dharma Dialogues on awakened awareness. It is truly food for the soul. Catherine Ingram describes her personal experiences in seeking and finding peace in the Now. While mindfulness meditation was a major path, a spiritual teacher catalyzed major shifts in her consciousness. Ingram now teaches mindfulness, through silence, through shared lessons, and (even through the pages of this book) through her personal centeredness. Seven topics are highlighted: Silence, Tenderness, Embodiment, Genuineness, Discernment, Delight and Wonder. Each is illustrated with lovely stories of Ingram and other seekers on the Path. Particularly helpful for healing are suggestions for acknowledging the presence of an inner observer who is detached even in the midst of crisis and suffering; for treasuring each present moment rather than living in the past or future; and for accepting that we need not torture ourselves with guilt and remorse because each of us has a lifetime of lessons to learn - and each experience offers us opportunities to develop deeper compassion for others who have their own lessons and make mistakes that may impact negatively on us. We can fester in negative reactions to life that is past or in our anxieties about our future life - or we might just let go of the negativity and move on to the ever-present Now. I was surprised to discover this book was immediately helpful in finding a stronger connection with my own center of quiet awareness. There is also a pleasant current of practical advice. I warmly recommend this book for a good read and re-read.

Ending the Tyranny of the Mind

PASSIONATE PRESENCE is about ending the tyranny of the mind. Living in the mind instead of in the moment causes one to miss the freshness and wonder of life. We may spend hours each day chewing over our past failures, or, conversely, projecting a rosy future for ourselves. The problem with this scenario is that past and future are concepts. They exist only in the mind. PASSIONATE PRESENCE is about getting out of the mind and into the moment, into the preciousness and completeness of the moment, which, after all, is all we have. The qualities that exude from these pages--gentleness, genuineness and delight--are contagious. Catherine Ingram speaks to us from direct experience, and her experience, we realize, if we are truly attentive, is our experience.

Priceless

Many spiritual books have given me great food for thought; this one has actually brought major shifts in my perception. It has taken me a large step forward in my presence and in the way I deal with people, which was immediately noticed by my coworkers. I don't want to get too specific and spoil the effect of a fresh reading, but do get this book. It's one of my top three spiritual books, along with *The Power of Now* by Eckhart Tolle, and *Loving What Is* by Byron Katie.

A welcome relief from the usual...

One of the only books I've read on this subject that seems to come from a real, grounded, truthful place. There is no new-age dogma here, only insights that lead to a place that is already within our grasp, right now. A poetic, meaningful read that transcends any how-to technique, Catherine simply describes what we know to be true in our hearts, yet have never seen so plainly. I recommend this book to everyone....the clarity and truth of her words are very moving and profound, yet so simple.

Essential Wisdom for an Awake Life in Sleepy Times

Remember the song, "All you need is love"? Well, perhaps it's time to step it up a notch. All you need is Passionate Presence, which also happens to be the title of Catherine Ingram's new book. Frankly, I think the world would sleep a little easier if a copy of Passionate Presence found its way into the hotel and motel drawers across the country. In fifty sections of well-written prose, Ingram writes poetry (contradictory I know, but true - you'll see) about "experiencing the seven qualities of awakened awareness". What you get is surprisingly simple, yet penetrating wisdom and a bushel basket of anecdotes that remind you that you just might be a lot wiser and more compassionate than you've been telling yourself, if you'd just read between the lines. In short, pay attention to the "Sounds of Silence". ...So maybe "All we need is love" after all. You'll get a dose from Passionate Presence. Read it. Live it. And pass it on.Oh, and I'm thinking about trying one of those Dharma Dialogue Retreats. Sometimes a good retreat is the best way to advance and besides it would give me a chance to ask all my burning questions, like why don't my teenagers read this stuff?!