Living Presence by Kabir Edmund Helminski Summary
Overview of Living Presence
Discover the art of presence in "Living Presence" - where ancient Sufi wisdom meets modern mindfulness. Named among the "500 Most Influential Muslims," Helminski bridges spiritual traditions with practical guidance that resonates with Buddhists and scientists alike. What hidden self awaits your awakening?
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Key takeaways
Awakening to the Present Moment
Imagine living in a city shrouded in perpetual darkness, moving like a shadow among others, disconnected and afraid. This is our ordinary state of consciousness - separated from our deeper selves and the sacred dimension of life. Yet beyond this metaphorical city lies another possibility: a state of presence where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. This is the revolutionary proposition at the heart of "Living Presence" - that through conscious, moment-to-moment awareness, we can awaken to the divine reality constantly surrounding us that we've forgotten how to perceive. Presence shapes everything: how we occupy space, our self-image, emotional tone, and whether we scatter or direct our energy. Unlike conventional education that merely transfers information, spiritual education awakens the soul through practices that have existed throughout history. This "Great Work" activates our latent human faculties, many of which have atrophied in our technological culture where means have dangerously outstripped understanding of purpose. What makes us truly human isn't guaranteed by our species but exists as potential - we must work to become fully human. Like a finely tuned instrument, our consciousness can produce either harmony or discord depending on its refinement and alignment with higher principles. Beyond our familiar faculties lie subtle capacities: volitional (deep intentionality), psychic (sensitivity to subtle energies), intuitive (direct knowing), magnetic (personal presence), and ecological (connection with all life). With these functioning harmoniously, we would experience intimate relationship with the Source of Life, much as a clear mirror perfectly reflects light.
The Dance of Attention and Breaking the Ego's Spell
The Spectrum of Self and Soul Cultivation
The Integrated Heart and the Path of Love
Transformative Presence and Divine Qualities
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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