Presence and Process: A Path Toward Transformative Faith and Inclusive Community
author: Daniel P. Coleman
The North American Christian church of the early twenty-first century finds itself in a period of decline. A growing percentage of young adults are not entering the front doors of churches while at the same time older and previously dedicated Christians are leaving. Coinciding with the deflation of the Western church is the explosion in popular culture of the mindfulness movement, which emphasizes meditation practices derived from Buddhism. These concurrent phenomena—the decline of Christendom in North America and the rise of a Westernized form of Buddhism and various secularized applications of Buddhist meditative practice—form an interesting juxtaposition that warrants exploration.
published:
2017
The North American Christian church of the early twenty-first century finds itself in a period of decline. A growing percentage of young adults are not entering the front doors of churches while at the same time older and previously dedicated Christians are leaving. Reasons for the rise of the Nones and the Dones have been well-documented: they have found the institutional church to be increasingly irrelevant to their lives; they want to be part of an engaged and interactive community rather than members of a passive audience; they are sick of judgmentalism and exclusion; they question the efficacy of churches spending 85 percent of their budgets on buildings and pastoral salaries; they are not in accord with political/ideological stances of their churches or denominations; they are disinterested in serving organizational structures; or they simply no longer believe the doctrines taught by the churches in which they grew up. Coinciding with the deflation of the Western church and the dramatic increase in Nones and Dones is the explosion in popular culture of the mindfulness movement, which emphasizes meditation practices derived from Buddhism. These concurrent phenomena—the decline of Christendom in North America and the rise of a Westernized form of Buddhism and various secularized applications of Buddhist meditative practice—form an interesting juxtaposition that warrants exploration.
In Presence and Process, Daniel Coleman has created a unique and useful synthesis—showing how a convergence of perennialism, process theology, and mysticism (Christian, Buddhist, and Quaker) could have a profound role in fostering spiritual formation in this postmodern, post-Christendom age. This is a pioneering work of practical theology.
Richard Rohr
author of Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
After three decades in Quaker ministry, I’ve noticed how religious traditions I once believed to be separate pursuits now merge as one. Truth, as it turns out, is happy to share the road with others. Daniel Coleman’s helpful book, Presence and Process, marries Christianity and Buddhism for contemporary seekers. Both traditions are honored, both enriched, and both made better by Coleman’s thoughtful union.
Philip Gulley
author of Living the Quaker Way: Discover the Hidden Happiness in the Simple Life
In our time when people are leaving church but are as spiritual as ever, inclusive and incisive resources such as Presence and Process are deeply needed. As interest grows in mystical traditions, bridges of recognition are built in surprising places. This wise, well-researched book creatively weaves Buddhism, mystical Christianity, Quakerism, and process theology. It is just this type of sensitive boundary-crossing that will help lay groundwork for the meaning-seekers of the future.
Mark Longhurst
editor of Ordinary Mystic
Presence and Process is an amazing book. It provides the best, most compact introduction I’ve come across to key concepts like mysticism, contemplation, and process theology. It explores the productive ferment that is taking place at the intersection of Christianity and Buddhism. And it invites practitioners to imagine a new kind of church for the journey before us. I highly recommend Presence and Process.
Brian D. McLaren
author of The Great Spiritual Migration
Daniel Coleman’s book points the way to a global spirituality, joining East and West, and theology and philosophy. Intellectually solid and spiritually insightful, Coleman’s text captures the heart of the Buddhist and Christian mystical traditions in ways that respond to the needs of spiritual seekers of our time. Presence and Process is an excellent invitation to the growing global mysticism of our time in which spiritual pilgrims creatively integrate practices from diverse religious traditions and in so doing not only experience spiritual insight but transform these traditions themselves. In a time when religious institutions are struggling to survive, Coleman provides a pathway to institutional and spiritual transformation through lively global and earth-affirming spirituality.
Bruce Epperly
author of Becoming Fire: Spiritual Practices for Global Christians
and The Gospel According to Winnie the Pooh
While some long for fruitful dialogue between Christianity and Buddhism, Daniel is bringing in the first fruits of the harvest! In Presence and Process, you get a clear and insightful invitation to a place where the boundaries we have inherited between the East and West, contemplation and justice, and theory and practice are dissolved. I loved so much of this book, but can’t wait for church leaders to take the ecclesiological vision to heart.
Tripp Fuller
host of Homebrewed Christianity
Coleman works from a fertile field of thinkers in order to unpack—as much as such a thing is possible—the experiential core of Christian and Buddhist practices. His account of contemplation is a much-needed corrective to the empty moralism afflicting many religious communities. The resulting synthesis of Vipassana and apophasis has as much to offer the lay practitioner as the professional theologian.
J. R. Hustwit
author of Interreligious Hermeneutics and the Pursuit of Truth
If Karl Rahner predicted that the survival of Christianity will depend on Christians becoming mystics, Daniel Coleman shows why that is the case and how Rahner’s hopes might be realized. His review and comparison of Christian and Buddhist contemplative practices will speak to both those who are struggling with, as well as those who are looking beyond, organized religion. The book’s brevity belies its engaging richness.
Paul F. Knitter
author of Without Buddha I Could Not Be a Christian
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Presence and Process: A Path Toward Transformative Faith and Inclusive Community
by Daniel P. Coleman, Darryl Brown (Cover Design)
4.43 · Rating details · 7 ratings · 3 reviews
Average rating4.43 · Rating details · 7 ratings · 3 reviews
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Nicholas
Aug 12, 2020Nicholas rated it liked it · review of another edition
The book has a good list of recommended reading at the end to find out more about the the main subjects of the book: Christan contemplation, Buddhist meditation, and process theology. The author strung a lot of quotes together, which made it a dry read. While the overview of each topic was informative, the book lacks synthesis at the conclusion. The author's main stance on community is to build centered on the practices of contemplation rather than creeds. The book felt half-finished, without a practical outline of how to build the kind of communities the book envisions. (less)
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dp
Nov 29, 2017dp rated it it was amazing
Very informative and engaging work. Coleman provides great introductions to Christian meditation and contemplative practices, as well as Buddhism & process theology. I think this is an ideal primer/jumping off point to go deeper into any of these disciplines, and to have a solid framework from which a more robust praxis can be built.
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Cara Meredith
Nov 01, 2017Cara Meredith rated it liked it
Great in concept and in application, but a bit of a heady theological read ...which wasn’t exactly what I was craving upon reading about the subject.
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Product description
Review
"In Presence and Process, Daniel Coleman has created a unique and useful synthesis--showing how a convergence of perennialism, process theology, and mysticism (Christian, Buddhist, and Quaker) could have a profound role in fostering spiritual formation in this postmodern, post-Christendom age. This is a pioneering work of practical theology." - Richard Rohr, author of Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
"Presence and Process is an amazing book. It provides the best, most compact introduction I've come across to key concepts like mysticism, contemplation, and process theology. It explores the productive ferment that is taking place at the intersection of Christianity and Buddhism. And it invites practitioners to imagine a new kind of church for the journey before us. I highly recommend Presence and Process." - Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration
"After three decades in Quaker ministry, I've noticed how religious traditions I once believed to be separate pursuits now merge as one. Truth, as it turns out, is happy to share the road with others. Daniel Coleman's helpful book, Presence and Process, marries Christianity and Buddhism for contemporary seekers. Both traditions are honored, both enriched, and both made better by Coleman's thoughtful union." - Philip Gulley, author of Living the Quaker Way: Discover the Hidden Happiness in the Simple Life
"Daniel Coleman's book points the way to a global spirituality, joining East and West, and theology and philosophy. Intellectually solid and spiritually insightful, Coleman's text captures the heart of the Buddhist and Christian mystical traditions in ways that respond to the needs of spiritual seekers of our time. Presence and Process is an excellent invitation to the growing global mysticism of our time in which spiritual pilgrims creatively integrate practices from diverse religious traditions and in so doing not only experience spiritual insight but transform these traditions themselves. In a time when religious institutions are struggling to survive, Coleman provides a pathway to institutional and spiritual transformation through lively global and earth-affirming spirituality." - Bruce Epperly, author of Becoming Fire: Spiritual Practices for Global Christians and The Gospel According to Winnie the Pooh
"Coleman works from a fertile field of thinkers in order to unpack--as much as such a thing is possible--the experiential core of Christian and Buddhist practices. His account of contemplation is a much-needed corrective to the empty moralism afflicting many religious communities. The resulting synthesis of Vipassana and apophasis has as much to offer the lay practitioner as the professional theologian." - J. R. Hustwit, author of Interreligious Hermeneutics and the Pursuit of Truth
"If Karl Rahner predicted that the survival of Christianity will depend on Christians becoming mystics, Daniel Coleman shows why that is the case and how Rahner's hopes might be realized. His review and comparison of Christian and Buddhist contemplative practices will speak to both those who are struggling with, as well as those who are looking beyond, organized religion. The book's brevity belies its engaging richness." - Paul F. Knitter, author of Without Buddha I Could Not Be a Christian
--This text refers to the paperback edition.
About the Author
Daniel P. Coleman holds an M.A. in Religion from the Earlham School of Religion and describes himself as a progressive Christian Quaker theologian with Buddhist leanings. His work touches on contemplative spirituality, process theology, interfaith dialogue, Quakerism, and biblical studies. Daniel and his wife, Carla, live in Seattle, Washington. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Product details
ASIN : B079G6MZP8
Publisher : Barclay Press (29 January 2018)
Print length : 233 pages
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent spirit-oriented book we needed right now. Timely and well done!
Reviewed in the United States on 18 January 2019
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I predict Presence and Process is going to be an essential stepping off text for those looking for a deeper spiritual life beyond creed and dogma. Coleman has done a fine job of bringing together in one text the various strands of meditative spirituality that are presently active in our culture. The quotes in the book, from sources he has chosen, are just spot on, bringing clarity and inspiration in one blow. Wonderful. If you are already meditating alone and want to start a local meditation group that is not tied to a specific limiting institution, this could be a very helpful book. Just a wish on my part, as a long time student of Soto Zen, would be for Coleman to do a second book that would examine the fine contributions that could be made to his ongoing project from Zen Masters like: Kosho Uchiyama, Dainin Katagiri, Shohaku Okumura, Kodo Sawaki; also including spiritual teachers like Eckhart Tolle, Toni Packer, and Ajahn Sumedho. Coleman has planted a valuable seed book to move us along. We learn by going where we have to go (Roethke).
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Jazzman
5.0 out of 5 stars On the Path Toward Transformation
Reviewed in the United States on 19 September 2017
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I thoroughly enjoyed this very well researched, exceptional book on the history of Christian contemplation/meditation and it's relevancy for individuals seeking a deeper interior relationship with God. There is much to learn from reading this book with pages and pages of excellent resources for continued study. Daniel Coleman finds just the right intersection between the Quaker faith, Buddhism and Christian mysticism. I would highly recommend this book to anyone in the Centering Prayer community.
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DP
5.0 out of 5 stars A Fresh Perspective on Spirituality
Reviewed in the United States on 30 November 2017
Verified Purchase
Very informative and engaging work. Coleman provides great introductions to Christian meditation and contemplative practices, as well as Buddhism & process theology. I think this is an ideal primer/jumping off point to go deeper into any of these disciplines, and to have a solid framework from which a more robust praxis can be built.
