Practices for Presence, Reflection, and Renewal
This resource library offers simple mindfulness practices, readings, and tools to help people pause, notice, and reconnect with what matters most. The list is curated by Jennifer Reitz and Ken Saxon, facilitators of LFW’s “Mindful Presence” program and “The Well” monthly drop-in. Whether you have an established mindfulness practice or are just beginning, these resources are intended to be practical, accessible, and supportive.
Core Foundations
Essential practices that offer simple ways to pause, reset, and return to the present moment
- STOP Practice: A quick reset for any moment of the day.
- Daily Essential Practice: Listen to Jennifer’s Audio Recording – Read the Practice Guide
- Sources of Beginner-Friendly Meditations:
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- UCLA Mindful: A diverse library of guided meditations.
- Mindful.org: A comprehensive “How to Meditate” primer.
- Henry Shukman: Simple beginning meditations from a teacher we both value.
The Digital Toolkit
Apps to support a consistent practice on-the-go
- The Way (Henry Shukman): A guided, step-by-step path through the world of mindfulness.
- Healthy Minds: Step-by-step guidance in improving your wellbeing.
- Plum Village: Free resources and meditations in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.
- Waking Up: A vast catalog of deep teachings and diverse perspectives for exploration.
Morning & Evening Rituals
Bookending your day with intention and reflection
Morning Centering Reading – Read one short passage before checking your phone or email.
- The Book of Awakening – Mark Nepo
- Consolations – David Whyte
- Wherever You Go, There You Are – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Writing & Journalling – Some books we’ve used that can help you start a mindful journalling practice are:
- The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron, and her practice of “morning pages”
- Drinking From the River of Light – Mark Nepo’s guide to the source of your own creative spirit
- The Book of Alchemy – Suleika Jaouad’s beautiful introduction to the art of journalling
Poetry – Some books we’ve used that can help you start a mindful journalling practice are:
- Mindfulness Poetry (Mindfulness Association) – Read and reflect on mindful poems.
- Write a haiku a day – book: Haiku: The Sacred Art by Margaret D. McGee.
- Poetry Book – The Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poems
The Three-Line Evening Reflection – End your day by answering three simple prompts:
- What did I notice today?
- What mattered today?
- What do I set down tonight?
Movement & Observation
Practices that bring mindfulness to the senses and the physical world
Mindful Walking:
- Sensory Walk (15 min): Notice 5 things you see, 4 hear, 3 feel, 2 smell, 1 appreciate.
- Awe Walk: Walk specifically looking for beauty, wonder, or surprise.
- Reading: The Nature Fix by Florence Williams.
Visual Mindfulness:
- Zen Doodle: Repetitive pattern creation – circles, waves, spirals. (Reference: One Zentangle a Day by Beckah Kratula)
- Slow Looking: Spend 10 minutes silently observing a single piece of art. (Reference: Looking At Mindfulness by Christophe André).
Mindful Boundaries
Protecting your mental space in a digital world
- Digital Sabbath: Practice “24/6″—giving up all screens for one day a week to reclaim time and connection. (Reference: 24/6 by Tiffany Schlain).