There are only seventy one pages in this short work, but those seventy one pages nonetheless convey within them a deep understanding of the practice of meditation and contemplation; there is an interesting short section dealing with the monkey mind, i.e. thoughts that won't turn off when trying to meditate, explaining the difference between these two sorts of action within the Christian tradition. A Quiet Mind in so few words moves us into the practice and understanding of acceptance, of journeying into our thoughts and fears and emotions, into our bodies and movements and actions so as to move beyond these things and into the realisation that we are accepted and loved by God. This is the art of meditation and contemplation and this work truly encapsulates and embodies that. Wonderful, refreshing and utterly Christian even as it seems to spill over with its 'Zen' simplicity. It brings in the wonder that is to be found in biblically rooted spirituality and in Celtic spirituality too. A good book for anyone looking to deepen their practice of meditation and contemplation.

In A Quiet Mind, Eva McIntyre clearly demonstrates a commitment to humanity. I get the sense from reading A Quiet Mind that she slowly came to a realization that her combination of experience and research made up a highly useful toolkit that was reliably and consistently providing her with valuable assistance and that it was wealth that she really wanted to share. She shares the usefulness of experiences and/or research in varied religions, spirituality, yoga/meditation, theatre, and importantly shared human experience. At a certain point in the book I said to myself, Wow, she really, really, really listens to people. That is what makes this so valuable and that is also what shows how much she has already given to so many even before writing a book. For any person (or even institution) who is interested in gaining greater self-sufficiency for him or herself on a daily basis, this book offers valuable insight into ways to think about and respond to the vagaries of life. I will even say that I consider it to be a reference book, in that I am sure that I will read it more than once looking for one or more tools.