Hello Friends!
What’s your relationship with prayer? If you prayed when you were younger, does it feel different now? Does it feel like you're just talking into the void and hoping someone - or something - hears you? I’d been asking myself the same questions when I found The Uncommon Book of Prayer by Heidi Smith. The moment I read it, I knew I had to have her on the podcast.
In this conversation, Heidi offers a new take on prayer, one that isn’t about rituals or perfection. It’s about connection, presence, and creating something sacred on your own terms. She shares how she reimagined the rigid, traditional ideas of prayer she grew up with into something new and deeply personal.
If you’re looking to reconnect with yourself, heal on an emotional and physical level, or just curious about what prayer could mean for you now, Heidi’s perspective is quite refreshing.
I hope you’ll listen and explore this with us. It might just shift how you think about sacred practices entirely.
Love,
Amanda X
IN THIS EPISODE:
[1:09] Heidi shares why she wrote The Uncommon Book of Prayer
[4:50] Discussion on defining prayer, focusing (a psychosomatic integration tool), mindfulness, meditation affirmation and power
[10:04] Discussion of benefits of prayer, healing, self-reflection, validation, co-regulation, grounding presence, and the nervous system
[17:13] Discussion of trauma survivors, dissociation, faith and how to pray
[22:55] The reaction of men to the book and Heidi describes her work and just being
[32:11] How to begin to pray
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Prayer is redefined as a profoundly personal, sacred agreement between oneself and the divine. It emphasizes that it doesn’t have to follow a specific structure or tradition. It can evolve, adapting to one's changing beliefs and circumstances.
Prayer and mindfulness practices can support nervous system regulation, fostering emotional self-soothing and reducing reliance on external coping mechanisms like substances or validation. They also promote improved mood, energy levels, and even healthy aging.
Developing presence is fundamental in healing and spiritual growth. Whether through prayer, grounding practices, or co-regulation with people, animals, or nature, cultivating a sense of safety and connection is key to emotional and physical well-being.
More from Heidi Smith
The Uncommon Book of Prayer - Book
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