In today’s chaotic world, many Christians want to find inner peace and strengthen their faith. Mindful meditation is often seen as an Eastern practice, but it can be a helpful tool for Christians. Can Christians practice mindful meditation without going against their beliefs?
Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing, and feeling at the moment, without interpretation or Judgement. Can you also meditate mindfully? Well, yes you can.
Can a Christian Meditate Mindfully?
I’ve seen a lot of Christians who mindful meditation has helped over the past few years. They became more enlightened and aware of their environment and what role the word of God plays in all of these. Nevertheless, there are other Christians who do not share similar views about it. They tend to be more judgmental and associate the practice with idol worship.
This isn’t to castigate them or condemn in any way, It’s just their viewpoint. All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12-20).
It’s a matter of one’s conviction. If it is okay to my conscience, have done my research and prayed about it, then I am good to go. But, I must clarify by saying, that while it is okay to meditate mindfully, Christianity is not a call to self-adventure or self-exploitation, as the case with some other mindfulness practices, but a call to self-discovery in God’s word.
Mindfulness as Pagan Worship
Let’s rule out the misconception of attributing mindfulness with pagan worship. There is no such history books that say verbatim that mindfulness was dedicated to pagan worship. The earliest known record of mindfulness dates back thousands of years to a collection of verdic texts and practices that would later be grouped under Hinduism.
This meditation practices involves the use of mantras which are phrases or words people focus on and repeat aloud or in their minds. We are told in some cases to pay attention to our breath (probably so it doesn’t fly away) while mindfully aware of mental events. But does this align with scripture? We also know that christian meditation is centered on praying and reading of scriptures.
Mindful Christian Meditation
In the bible, we are told that this book of the law, the bible, should not depart out of our mouth (similar to the mantras right?) but we should meditate on it both day and night to observe to do all that is written, only then our ways are made prosperous, and we have good success (Joshua 1:8).
What’s the fruit of your aspiring meditation? Is it leading you towards a good health and right standing with God? Then, I congratulate you for that. You see, meditation itself is not a bad thing, we tend to come from a cultural perspective. It’s your focus that defines the meditation.
I can be in a yoga position, and yet meditate on the passage of the bible that says “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in me, the hope of glory. He is the one I proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that I may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” – Colossians 1:27-28. And you might wonder, what’s that guy doing? The dude is meditating on scriptures, man!
I see mindful meditation as a tool I can use to my advantage both towards my health physically, mindfully, and spiritually. That’s because I have grown to a level of maturity in Christianity.
As a Baby Christian
I stated very clearly that mindful meditation should not be used as a means of self adventure but self discovery, particularly when we are a new believer in Christ. You should incorporate meditating on God’s word. Let the word heal you!
“Like newborn babies, crave the pure milk of the word so that by it you may grow up with the result being salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2).
As new born babies in Christ, there’s no better way to grow than through prayer and study of the word of God. Mindfully meditation provide a good way to deeply connect our thoughts to the truth of God’s word.
Benefits of Practicing Mindful Meditation
Meditation doesn’t just provide spiritual benefits but a variety of benefits to our spirit, soul and body. In fact, the health benefit of meditating mindfully cannot be overstated. Some of the ways mindfulness benefits us are:
- Stress reduction: Stress can be very terrible. Studies have shown that indeed, mindful meditation helps reduce stress. It decreases anxiety and depression. Mindfulness helps your ability to regulate your emotions.
- Reduced rumination: Most times we find ourselves having negative thinking patterns that we sincerely don’t want, but they just keep coming. But as we meditate mindfully, with scriptures, they drop off completely. Hallelujah! It works and will always work. In fact, studies have shown that indeed mindfulness reduces rumination.
- Focus: You may have not noticed it but when your mind is at peace and you are just calm, you tend to be more focused. Why do you always require a quiet time to study? Mindful meditation takes you away from the surrounding noise, into your own space where you find peace and oneness.
In conclusion,
Mindful meditation is not a sin, neither is it a forbidden practice in Christianity. However, how you go about it is what determines whether it will work for you or not. As a Christian, you can practice meditating mindfully with scriptures and with prayers. It shouldn’t just be a practice of self awareness that makes you forget about God and only justify your own existence in absence of God’s existence. It is good practice to acknowledge God in all you do, you know!
As a matter of fact that is where God wants you to be, in your closet, in deep union with him, praying and reading the scriptures help you do that. Meditating mindfully has a lot of benefits it provides. It is packed loaded with health benefits to your spirit, soul and body. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Work by faith and you will manifest your desires.