Here is a definition of the practice of mindfulness
meditation:
·
"A kind of nonelaborative, nonjudgmental,
present-centered awareness in which each thought, feeling, or sensation that
arises in the attentional field is acknowledged and accepted as it is."
(Wikipedia)
While the Bible has nothing against self-awareness - we are
instructed to examine ourselves - it has a lot to say against
non-judgmentalness.
From a biblical perspective, we are to know ourselves so
that we can confess our sins, repent, and make the necessary adjustments.
Paul had criticized the Corinthian church for not judging
themselves:
·
“That is why many of you are weak and ill, and
some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.” (1
Corinthians 11:30-31)
Jesus taught His disciples that they had to first judge
themselves by recognizing their own blindness (the "log" in their
eye) before they could see clearly enough to remove the "splinter"
from their brother's eye (Matthew 7:1-5).
Scripturally, spiritual growth depends upon self-examination
and corrective action, starting with confession:
·
“The purpose in a man's heart is like deep
water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” (Proverbs 20:5)
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but
he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Blessed is the one who
fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.”
(Proverbs 28:13-14)
However, the non-judgment of mindfulness leaves out this
vital component, ignoring the fact that we are moral beings, and, as such, we
have to live in accordance with our moral nature, as the bird must live in
accordance with flight by grooming its feathers.
For optimal living, we cannot leave any part of our nature
out of the equation. My natural tendency had been to justify and rationalize my
wrongdoing. However, I could not completely silence the truth, conscience, and
my moral nature, which had been indicting me of my crimes.
This meant that an internal but barely seen battle was
raging within, depriving me of peace. My nature was telling me that I had done
wrong, while I was trying to silence it.
Peace depended upon self-judgment. I had to acknowledge my
sins before God and to receive his forgiveness. Nothing else would suffice.
How does mindfulness handle this problem? By disassociating
from a critical part of ourself - our moral nature and guilt!
However, we cannot completely do this. When wronged, we
judge. Besides, it is right to judge the pedophile who rapes and kills a
two-year-old. However, such necessary judgments are inconsistent with
mindfulness philosophy.
Contemporary society has found many others ways to
disassociate - drinking, drugging, distracting, exercising, and even achieving.
However, none of these address the real underlying problem - that we stand
guilty before our Lord and must seek reconciliation with Him and even with
ourselves!
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