Mindfulness is a form of meditation to attain peace and just
about everything else. It promises the world, as a "Christianity
Today" article suggests:
·
. . . "mindfulness has come to comprise a
dizzying range of meanings for popular audiences. It’s an intimately attentive
frame of mind. It’s a relaxed-alert frame of mind. It’s equanimity. It’s a form
of the rigorous Buddhist meditation called vipassana(“insight”), or a form of
another kind of Buddhist meditation known asanapanasmrti (“awareness of the
breath”). It’s M.B.S.R. therapy (mindfulness-based stress reduction). It’s just
kind of stopping to smell the roses. And last, it’s a lifestyle trend, a social
movement and — as a Time magazine cover had it last year — a revolution."
However, can their techniques of clearing the mind to attain
peace and self-awareness be of use to the Christian?
First of all, the practice of mindfulness competes with the
Bible, which has its own resources to produce these fruits. Instead of
meditating on one's inner states, Scripture would have us meditate on
God's very words:
·
“His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on
his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of
water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all
that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:2-3)
Our thoughts, hopes, and worldviews are to be set on the
things above:
·
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek
the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians
3:1-2)
Life is filled with pain and disappointment. Our pains and
failures tend to make us feel that we are missing out on something - some
technique or spiritual therapy. However, it is when we focus on Jesus, and not
on ourselves, that we find the necessary peace, endurance, and hope:
·
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of
our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him
who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not
grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)
If our meditations/mindfulness are on Scripture and our
Lord, no problem! But if they represent placing our hope in something else to
deal with our spiritual/emotional problems, then we are wrongly placing our
trust (1 Tim. 4:1-3; Gal. 5:1-4; Provide. 3:5-6).
Scripture assures us that it is able to give us everything
we need for our spirituality, growth, and service:
·
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good
work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
One respondent lamented that her husband was spending less
time praying with the family in favor of mindfulness meditation. He was placing
his hope in the wrong thing.
Christ has given us the necessary resources for life. To go
beyond Him in spiritual matters, is to place our hope in the wrong thing, as
another respondent wrote to a Christian therapist and advocate of mindfulness:
·
"I have used mindfulness-based techniques
for a number of years in seeking to combat depression and anxiety. I found the
techniques to be quite powerful for that time. I am a discerning, theologically
trained evangelical Christian and felt that I approached all psychological
treatment with due caution and thought (or so I have judged myself!).
·
Ultimately, however, I have come to reject this
approach to mental health. In recent months I have received healing from my
mental and emotional torture in a far more complete way. This has come from a
'renewing of my mind' through the Scriptures, and particularly a proper
understanding of spiritual warfare and the role that Satan plays in trying to
deceive, accuse and bring fear to those who belong to Christ. This has not been
a type of 'super spiritual power encounter' or exorcism or something dramatic,
but rather a 'truth encounter'. I have had to repent of many false beliefs
about God, about the world and about myself. Many of these beliefs were
deep-seated and at the root of my depression and anxiety.
·
When I practiced Mindfulness, I believe I
actually allowed myself to be opened further to deceiving and accusing thoughts
(see 1 Tim 4:1). In fact, I can now see how dramatically I had shifted in my
theology, in my morality and in my worldview during its use. I have repented of
using it, and instead am seeking to take every thought captive to Christ (2 Cor
10:5). Previously, I didn't really take seriously the spiritual realm, and the
way the enemy seeks to render Christians weak and unfruitful. This was to my
peril. Now I have become aware of Satan's schemes and can resist them. My mind
is at peace."
Peace and self-acceptance are the gifts of our God.
Although, self examination is important, even necessary (Prov. 20:5; 1 Cor.
11:31), it is important as the needle and thread are to the jacket. They merely
restore to us the use of the jacket. Self-examination - and its byproduct,
confession of sin - is merely a tool to restore us to our Source and
all-sufficient Provider.
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