Soul Sustenance - Sacred Balance: How Ancient Spiritual Practices Can Refresh Modern Minds

 

In a culture grappling with a significant mental health crisis and increasing numbers of people seeking deeper spirituality outside traditional religious structures, a new book from Chalice Press offers a unique approach by exploring ancient spiritual practices. Sacred Balance: How Ancient Spiritual Practices Can Refresh Modern Minds by Rev. Miriam Diephouse-McMillan, BCC, published by Chalice Press, serves as a guide for those feeling weary and burdened, offering rest and restoration. Sacred Balance is a "toolbox," offering nine specific practices: Contemplation (Centering Prayer) Discernment (Daily Examen) Compassion (Loving Kindness Prayer) Mindfulness (Practicing the Presence of God) Rest (Sabbath) Grounding (Breath Prayer) Activation (Pilgrimage) Gratitude (Prayerful Savoring) and Intimacy (Soul Friends). It provides an overview, history, practical steps, potential mental health benefits, and reflection questions for each practice. This book is not a substitute for professional care or medical advice. Instead, it aims to help individuals engage their faith to navigate life's struggles and joys, fostering spiritual connection, meaning, and purpose. By exploring practices centered on intentionality, connection, and self-compassion, readers can work toward mental and spiritual well-being and find their own sacred balance. Benefits include reduced anxiety, calmer minds, promoted rest, deepened faith, and increased compassion. Sacred Balance invites readers to explore ancient wisdom to refresh their modern minds and move toward healing and restoration. Rev. Miriam Diephouse-McMillan, BCC, is a board-certified chaplain whose extensive experience working in psychiatric hospitals inspired her to write Sacred Balance by offering daily opportunities to reflect on the search for mental and spiritual well-being. While rooted in her Christian spiritual heritage, her work in an interfaith chaplaincy setting has given her deep respect for the unique wisdom found across different contemplative traditions. Drawing on both her personal and professional spiritual work, she offers these ancient practices as tools for modern minds. Drawing on centuries of wisdom from faith traditions, deeply rooted spiritual practices are presented as a helpful structure for healing and growth. Mental health research increasingly supports the benefits of these practices for mind, body, and soul. While rooted in Christian faith, the book recognizes the shared wisdom among contemplative traditions and the overlap with modern mental health advice. This approach highlights the potential for collaboration between spirituality and mental health. “Sacred Balance makes sure you can put what you read into practice,” said Brad Lyons, Chalice’s president and publisher. “Some of the practices work instantly, while others may take a bit of practice — but working to find mental health and wholeness is always worth the effort. Sacred Balance is available in print, EPUB, and EPDF formats. You can purchase the book at ChalicePress.com and other major book retailers.

About Chalice Press

Chalice Press is an imprint of Chalice Media Group, which works to grow and equip a community that is vibrant and energizing, a worldwide force for justice, peace, inclusion, and multi-faith cooperation.