Fundamentals Of The Christian Mindfulness

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a loosely described term that has gained cultural popularity. Like anything, mindfulness can be misused. It is an ancient practice that is a component of all major world religions, including Christianity.

In the United States, it is typically from a secular perspective. Secular mindfulness is horizontal, paying attention only to yourself. There is no faith component emphasized. However, mindfulness does not necessarily undermine our faith. Christians just need to make sure we approach it wisely.

The principle is that when women are mindful of the present, they can avoid the pitfalls of letting their past or their future hijack them from living in the moment.

Over the centuries, Christians have explored practices that encourage a quiet, listening stance before God. From a biblical standpoint, we know that Jesus gives the peace that can exist in all circumstances (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7).

What makes Christian Mindfulness unique?

The basis for Christian mindfulness is the fact that God is present. You pay attention to who God is and your relationship with him through His grace to you in Jesus. Christians have an accepting, forgiving, gracious, personal, present, and loving Saviour.

Christian mindfulness introduces a vertical dimension.

He guides us daily through the work of the Holy Spirit. With all of the stresses and busyness, as we go about our daily lives, we are constantly to be mindful of God's presence. He cares for us. He has provided the power in us to face each moment of each day.

How does a Christian woman utilize Mindfulness?

No matter how busy we are, God is ready to meet us in the moments when we stop to connect with Him. We are mindful when we examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) and ask God to search and reveal our hearts (Psalm 139:23–24).

In turn, we can:

• Process regrets about the past.
• Navigate our fears about the future.
• Sink into the present moment to feel more centered, relaxed, and rejuvenated.

Spending time with God is most often translated into the practice of devotions -- a practice of study, thoughts, and words. We have a tendency to consider prayer as a time of talking to God and meditating on Scripture.

Mindfulness provides another way more consistent with how healthy relationships work -- the way of being with God moment by moment, paying attention to our experience in a way that allows for an awareness of all that God provides at that instance.

Christians and faith-based counselors take advantage of mindfulness in a Christ-integrated manner as a therapy tool. They believe mindfulness is compatible with a biblical worldview — as long as it is deep-rooted in Scripture and centered on connecting with God.

Can Mindfulness strengthen our relationship with God?

The Bible consistently urges us to exercise disciplined attentiveness to our minds and hearts, set aside our attachment to ourselves, and live with an appreciation of the moment-to-moment provisions of God.

Perhaps these urgings can best be encapsulated by the fruit of the Spirit. “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” - Gal. 5:22-23 KJV.

It is evident in Scripture that this fruit develops through an abiding relationship with God (John 15:1-8). And how do we live in a relationship with God? By being present and mindful, spending time with Him, and experiencing life together.

Philippians 4:6–8 tells us, "6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." This behavior is Christian mindfulness.

Is Mindfulness part of self-care?

God made us far more resilient than we often realize. Through mindfulness, we can create calm by drawing our attention to what is happening in the NOW. Jesus was mindful of the needs of those around Him. He also spent private time with the Father apart from the crowds.

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence... the more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life. We need silence to be able to touch souls. The essential thing is not what we say but what God says to us and through us. All our words will be useless unless they come from within—words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness" - Mother Theresa.

Mindfulness is a powerful self-care habit that can support our emotional and mental well-being. Through the strength of the Holy Spirit setting our minds free to think truthfully, we know true peace. "10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" - Psalm 46:10 KJV.

Where do we see Mindfulness in Scripture?

Practicing Christian mindfulness can remind us to turn our attention to God in the details of our daily lives. God is constantly with us, but when we are rushing out of the stresses of life, it can be hard to tell His presence. The Bible speaks about calming our minds and keeping this vertical focus on the One who lovingly created us and knows us intimately.

For instance:

• The apostle Paul reminds Christians to be mindful and live aware of the present (Philippians 2:1-5).
• Prayer is one efficient way Christians apply mindfulness to daily life. "Pray without ceasing" - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV.
• Women should look to Jesus and think about true and admirable things (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 4:8).
• Christians should not let themselves be distracted by worrying about our futures (Matthew 6:25-34).
• Scripture instructs us to take every thought captive. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" - 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV.
• Paul asks us to transform by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2) and to practice God-honoring thoughts (Philippians 4:9).

Mindfulness embraces God's promise of abundant life—living life fully by being entirely present in each moment and being present in each moment rather than insisting that it be something different. We are accepting our experience in each moment as a gift from God.

We stop pushing away our experience through mindfulness and open ourselves to what God has for us each moment. We realize to fully live the life that God has given us rather than resist it, hoping that something better will come along.

Is Mindfulness part of our prayer life?

The words without ceasing do not mean non-stop but constantly recurring. We are urged to intersperse our daily lives with intervals of prayer. Mindfulness is a way of praying without ceasing -- being with God during each moment of our day.

• It is a method of watching over our hearts and minds so that inaccurate thoughts do not fool us so we maintain a clear viewpoint and we can accept the good gifts that every moment offers.
• It is a process of opening ourselves authentically to God's healing presence.

We can be mindful of Jesus by taking every thought captive for Him and renewing their minds with the truth (2 Corinthians 10:5; Romans 12:2).

All Christians are called to be mindful of our unity with Christ, and the presence of his Spirit.

We can describe this as living with moment-by-moment mindfulness of God’s presence with us. It is with that awareness that we can live with gratitude and move towards others with compassion.

Why not create some mindful time in your life this week with the help of the Holy Spirit?