Moments in Between: The Art of the Quiet Mind [Hardcover]

David Kundtz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2006

Take five or ten. Take the moments in between tasks in a busy day, at the end of the day, as evening falls. Do nothing, but do it with purpose and meaning. Do nothing to become fully awake and remember who you are. Allow the important things in life to come back into focus. Moments In Between is a book of meditations, reflections, and wise guidance that reminds us that the "spaces in between" the big events of our lives aren’t meant to be forgotten, or worse, fill us with anxiety. Moments In Between is a beautiful book, a restful retreat for our weary eyes, a sumptuous feast for our hungry spirit, a celebration of images and words that takes us to the places where our hearts can be restored.

"The quiet moments—rests—in your day make your whole day sound well."

Moments In Between offers a hundred ways to look at the world and ponder. David Kundtz’s inspired stories and well-chosen quotes—"Play what isn’t there," Miles Davis—are paired with gorgeous full-color photographs of the intricate natural world. The photographs are lush and almost abstract, close details of the world around us—plants, water, earth, sky—that provide moments to reflect on what is what.

Full-color photographs throughout!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Kundtz, S.Th.D., author and speaker, is a psychotherapist in private practice and director of Inside Track Seminars, which offers workshops in the areas of stress management and emotional health. He is the author of Everyday Serenity: Meditations for people who do too much; Nothing's Wrong: A Man's Guide to Managing His Feelings; and the international bestseller Stopping: How to Be Still When You Have to Keep Going.He lives in Kensington, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Conari Press; First Printing, FEP Cut edition (April 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573242764
• ISBN-13: 978-1573242769
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,013,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have enjoyed several careers, including 18 years in religious ministry and 20 years in the practice of psychotherapy, public speaking on stress/​emotional health, and writing.

My doctorate (S.Th.D) is in pastoral psychology.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio; schooled in Washington, Baltimore, and Berkeley; I lived and worked many years in Idaho -- with a three-and-a-half-year period in Cali, Colombia. I currently live in Kensington, California and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley (part of the Graduate Theological Union -- GTU) lists me as an adjunct professor. I am a member of the Board of Directors of GroundSpark (GroundSpark.org)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read!, March 29, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moments in Between: The Art of the Quiet Mind (Hardcover)

A lot of books we buy as gifts fit that person's hobby or special interest, like flowers, cars, mountains, music, etc.

Moments in Between is a gift book you must give to yourself first--then think of others who could benefit from the message.

I found the content filling me up with spectacular photos to mark the chapters and the pointed and appropriate quotes to enhance the message in the well-thought-out prose.

The message is about time--that in-between space we think of as insignificant, when compared to the big events--spaces that are very important.

The author says, "The quiet moments--rests--in your day make your whole day sound well."

If you are like me, you have trouble "doing nothing." I don't mean vegging out in front of the TV either. Now I know that doing nothing means stopping, looking, feeling, sensing, taking in whatever is in that quiet time. Maybe it's a "blue moon" or any awe-inspiring full moon. Maybe it's a bird's song. Maybe it's a smile from a loved one, or a stranger.

The book's wise stories, et. al,, are a retreat that allows us to be restored. Through the message you will find new ways to deal with life and learn how to pay closer attention to the big moment--and the tiny flash of brilliance we often overlook.

"What is life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare." -- W.H. Davies. Armchair Interviews agrees.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Quotes, Essays, and Beautiful Color Photos, September 27, 2006

By 

Janet Boyer "Author, Blogger, Radio Host" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moments in Between: The Art of the Quiet Mind (Hardcover)

"It is exactly during those moments, when your meanings and your values and your awareness of God combine to create the energy that takes charge of your time, that you live life to the fullest." - From the book

Building upon sage, inspiration quotes, Moments in Between by David Kundtz offers contemplative essays designed to promote tranquility, calmness, and clarity in the midst of a too-busy world. At 127-pages, this hardback book features glossy pages, full-color photographs, and messages advocating "doing nothing".

Kundtz quote Marcel Proust who said "The realm voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." While "doing nothing" can seem simplistic--or, as in the case of the human ego that loves to complicate, too difficult--Kundtz reminds readers that "seeing something that you have been looking at all your life" is essential for waking up and remembering who you are.

Moments in Between is divided into ten themes:

* A New Way of Dealing with Life
* Still Moments in Busy Days
* Making Room for Life
* Remembering to Take Time
* Finding Your Balance
* The Moments in Between
* Creating Opportunities for Serenity
* Defining Your Values
* Paying Attention
* Knowing Thyself
* Awakening to Wonder

Unfortunately, the beginning of the book shows incorrect page numbers for Chapters 5-10 so if you're looking for a particular theme, you'll have a hard time finding its beginning. (I was actually seeking wisdom on a particular theme, when I realized that half of the Table of Contents was misidentified!)

When I first took a look at this book, I didn't like it. I'm not sure why. I think I felt that the ideas were forced and shallow. I put it to the side for months, but picked it up again to review. (And I was set on giving it a negative review, even before I discovered the printing errors in the Table of Contents!)

However, I read some of the essays and they delivered the exact wisdom I needed at the time--which surprised me given my initial impression of Moments in Between. I found the ideas to be thoughtful and sensible, and the quotes are pithy gems. And the photos? Gorgeous!

While Moments in Between has a lot going for it, I don't think the format is for everyone. You may enjoy the author's book Quiet Mind instead unless, of course, you enjoy glossy pages and vibrant photos in more of a gift-book presentation.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Didnt get it ... not for me, September 11, 2006

By 

G. E. Kugler "Ed Kugler - nomoreBS - Author o... (Big Arm, Montana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moments in Between: The Art of the Quiet Mind (Hardcover)

I actually love these kinds of books but this one fell far short for me. One pager layout which I like but the over arching theme seems to be 'do nothing' and have a quiet mind. My college age daughter likes these kinds as well and walked away with a similar feeling. For us anyway there was no substance here that was actionable. Looks great but no cigar.