Helpful Information and Resources

Mindfulness - A Christian Approach

MINDFULNESS: A CHRISTIAN APPROACH

Adapted Excerpt from Focus on the Family.
Mindfulness is a technique of deliberately focusing your attention on the present. You don’t let yourself be distracted by other thoughts constantly running through your head, quieting the “noise” in your head.

Other words for mindfulness: being present; awareness; grounding; watchfulness; etc. The idea is to become more self-aware. You pay attention to thoughts, feelings, and sensations at that moment — without purposefully deciding whether they’re good or bad, and without becoming overwhelmed or overly reactive. In short, you tune into what’s real right now.

Like anything, mindfulness can be misused or misinterpreted. However, it doesn’t automatically contradict the Christian faith. We just need to make sure we approach it in a wise, Biblical way.
History and use of mindfulness

In recent years, mindfulness has gained traction as a counselling and psychotherapy tool. Jon Kabat-Zinn is considered to be a major influencer in Western adoption of the practice. He created a program called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Similar programs such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) treat depression and anxiety, stress reduction and enhance mental health.

Mindfulness is also used by employers and schools to handle stress and spark creativity.

Mindfulness practice has been mistaken and confused with Buddhist meditation. It is not the same. Buddhists believe that awareness gained through meditation is a “power” that helps them reach nirvana: a state of enlightenment, peace, and happiness. The Buddhist goal is to clear or empty the mind. The mental health practice of mindfulness is to be aware of our thoughts and harness our thoughts.

Can Christians Safely Practice Mindfulness?

Yes, mindfulness can be a safe and positive option to manage stress and develop a healthier thought life. Can be compatible with a Biblical worldview — as long as it’s rooted in Scripture and focuses on connecting with God. However, like anything else, you need to be careful where you get your information and you need to be aware of what perspective and authority are guiding you. Opinions about mindfulness and its impact vary in the Christian community.

Mindfulness can be distorted or misused when:

• Is based on an unhealthy degree of self-focus.

• Promotes a one-with-the-cosmos worldview.

• Supports emptying the mind.

• Encourages escape from reality. 

   
What does the Bible say about mindfulness?

David highlights the value of this type of spiritual discipline in Psalm 4:4, where he writes, “Meditate within your heart and be still.”

Another Psalmist similarly represents the Lord as exhorting His people to “be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say about calming our minds and keeping a vertical focus on the One who lovingly created us and knows us intimately. For example:

• The apostle Paul reminds Christians that they’re called to be mindful and live with an awareness of the present (Philippians 2:1-5).

• Prayer is one very practical way Christians apply mindfulness to daily life (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

• Meditation appears in the Bible in the context of spending time studying the Word of God (Psalm 48:9; Psalm 63:6).

• We should look to Jesus and think about true, admirable things (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 4:8).

• Christians shouldn’t let themselves be distracted by worry about the future (Matthew 6:25-34).

• Scripture teaches us to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

• Paul tells us to “be transformed” by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2) and to practice God-honoring thoughts (Philippians 4:9).

The Distraction Epidemic

Distraction has become a cultural epidemic, and mindfulness meditation is often suggested as a cure for this modern malady. The goal of mindfulness practice is simply to become more aware of the present moment.  We spend so much time focusing on the past and the future that we often miss the present moment. This is an excellent goal in an age where we fill any lull in our day by gazing at a screen. Our minds are far too often distracted from the present moment, dwelling on situations that have not yet happened or wishing what has already happened could be changed. 

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Watchfulness

Another way to think about Christian mindfulness has long been known in the church as watchfulness and is closely related to prayer and contemplation. The practice of watchfulness is based on passages such as Matthew 26:41, Luke 21:36 and 1 Peter 5:7-9. In secular mindfulness, both good and evil thoughts are dismissed without judgment in order to refocus on the present moment. In Christian watchfulness, any evil thought is to be killed through prayer (James 1:14-15). This may sound like a nuanced difference, but it is an important one. The goal of watchfulness is not only to be aware of the present moment but to discern it and to recognize Christ’s presence in it. As we learn to become aware of our thought life and learn to take each thought captive, we begin to reject the ways of the world and embrace the renewal of our minds. Ideally, as our minds are transformed, our words and our actions will be affected as well. We are told to put to death the deeds of the flesh and to bridle the tongue to find true life in Christ. Watchfulness can help us do this. 

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Practicing Watchfulness

If you would like to leave our noisy world behind for a moment and intentionally practice watchfulness, here’s what the process can look like:

• Take some time out of your day, even if it’s only 5-10 minutes (it might be too difficult to do more than that initially).

• Do not create expectations for this time. Having great expectations that are then potentially unmet may make you feel discouraged and frustrated. This is a discipline that takes time to do well.

• Find a quiet place to sit. It may be helpful to designate a certain space in your house for this purpose.

• Notice your breathing and breathe deeply through your diaphragm to calm your mind (most of us don’t breathe properly).

• As you enter this time, close your eyes. Contemplate the reality that you are in the presence of God the Father, who is overall and whose Spirit dwells in you if you are His. This is a time for you to be with God.

• If you find it difficult to simply focus on the presence of God, dwell on a truth about God or the teaching of Christ and remember that He is there with you.

• When a thought comes that distracts you from focusing on God’s presence, do not become frustrated. Gently return to your time with Him by saying a prayer to help you refocus.

The Benefits of Watchfulness

The enemy wants to keep us distracted because distraction keeps us from being present with God and with others. It keeps our minds anxious, stressed and unprepared to respond to the temptations that come our way. Instead of giving in to distraction, be watchful. Christ is always ready and willing to transform our minds, we just need to take the time to be still and know Him.