Chérie Headley-Woodlief
CNS241 – Dialectic Behavioral Therapy
October 26, 2011
Dr.’s Troy Reiner & Jim Anderson

Christian Mindfulness

Christian mindfulness. Can it exist within the context of biblical scriptures; within the context of God’s nature and ways? Mindfulness in biblical form can actually deepen our connection with God, allowing humankind spiritual inspirations by God personally and mindfully reflecting upon God’s nature, will, and creation. The Psalms within God’s Word show just such personal and spiritual reflections:
Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars! Praise him, skies above! Praise him, vapors high above the clouds! Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being…Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all livestock, small scurrying animals and birds (Psalm 148:3-5 & 7-10, NLT).
The trees of the Lord are well cared for- the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests, and the storks make their homes in the cypresses. High in the mountains live the wild goats, and the rocks form a refuge for the hyraxes. You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. You send the darkness, and it becomes night, when all the forest animals prowl about. Then the young lions roar for their prey, stalking the food provided by God. At dawn they slink back into their dens to rest (Psalm 104:16-22, NLT). Mindfulness to the secular world, steeped heavily in Buddhism, has a transcendental meditation perspective. This practice of mindfulness puts one in an instant of unpolluted understanding, completely in harmony with one’s perception of reality, which may not prove the reality of one’s mind. This sensitivity puts one in tune with “the being of whatever it is [one is] aware of” (Nattan, n.d.). According to Marcia Montenegro, former Buddhist turned Christian, Buddhism considers “the mind as a barrier to grasping ultimate reality and truth; therefore, the mind must be bypassed. Mindfulness is designed to do this” (2010). Montenegro declares that the concept of mindfulness proves primarily as a means of self-detachment guised in the package of “stress reduction,” but actually alters the mind similar to hypnosis where judgment and critical thinking are suspended and anything can enter the mind, aiming for the extinction of illusion, including illusion of self. She feels that because of this, mindfulness cannot truthfully result in liberation or true peace, and only leads to emptiness and shapelessness. She proceeds to explain that this method or rationale stands in direct conflict with a Christian worldview and has nothing in common with biblical meditation, which is thoughtful contemplation of God’s Word. A detachment, as she depicts in secular mindfulness, certainly goes against biblical teaching. Biblical mindfulness from a Christian psychological standpoint must begin “by identifying a problem of distorted thoughts, perceptions and judgments and their genesis in the mind and heart…the model of mindfulness might articulate the proper cognitive and attitudinal engagement in an unpredictable and frightening world” (Monroe, 2010). “Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things” (1 Corinthians 2:15a, NLT), which proves a form of contemplative awareness by the Holy Spirit. This really contrasts with secular mindfulness, which is non-judgmental awareness. As a Christian, God calls one to depend solely on His Holy Spirit and willfully engage fully in the present moment without passivity. This process known as wisdom, takes what one knows, and allows that knowledge, to meet with what one experiences. Of course, God’s Word stands as a foundational cornerstone to understanding, for without it one’s knowledge bases itself on mere experience and feelings, which leads to a variety of problems (Proverbs 29:18). In order to make secular mindfulness a “Christian” practice or method of counsel, one must develop a habit of regular meditative study of God’s Word, turning it into a type of worship for God (Psalm 1:2). Without His Word to turn mindfulness from secularism into a Christian form of healing and spirituality, one’s mind and worship will focus on something other than God, resulting in idolatry. Mindfulness as an awareness of God (Luke 10:21-22), others (Matthew 7:15-20), and one’s surroundings (Luke 2:17-20), exists as a much deeper knowing than that of an object’s mere existence; it is an intimacy of actually knowing personally and experientially. Christian mindfulness results in an act of intent rather than of reaction to one’s environment or circumstance. A Christian can and must act with integrity out of love, fulfilling God’s purpose with sincerity of heart (1 John 3:18, John 17:25-26, Galatians 6:2, 2 Corinthians 1:12). Christian mindfulness fills, whereas secular mindfulness empties. Christian mindfulness allows oneself the filling of God’s things (James 1:17) such as His Spirit (Acts 4:31) and His love and grace (John 15:912) all from His Word. Mindfulness in God allows for peace, contentment, and a quietness of soul to face uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. Mindfulness in God involves letting go of the past and future worries and living in the present (Philippians 3:13, Matthew 6:34, 2 Corinthians 6:1-2). Above all else, Christian mindfulness proves one of Spirit Mindedness as described in Romans 8. In essence, Christian mindfulness exists as a deeper attentiveness to one’s environment and circumstance, as well as what God is doing there and in one’s soul. Then taking deliberate action based on faith in God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Mindfulness exists as the opposite to mindlessness, which evidences itself in such ways as distraction or avoidance, meaningless activity, insensitivity or selfishness, simple mindedness, worldliness, and/or double mindedness. One can overcome these issues with learning and implementing mindfulness, which changes one from acting haphazardly to acting realistically and accurately. Putting mindfulness into play becomes the next step. 1 John 3:18 tells Christians, “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions” (NLT). God’s expectation of humankind as His children, as He speaks to us in this verse is for awareness of self and on one’s own character and the awareness of others and their needs. In order to carry this expectation of mindfulness out, one must possess and implement three important fundamentals, grace, purity, and sincerity. Scripture depicts how Christians should act with these fundamental qualities:
We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. (2 Corinthians 1:12, NLT).

In light of this precept, the “wisemind ACCEPTS” presented by Linehan (p. 165) to balance feelings and reasoning, need utilized with caution, for this “wisemind” concept proves one of a “fleshly wisdom” (Romans 7:14-20) that without proper subjection to God’s Word, Holy Spirit, and Christ-centered spiritual disciplines, could very well lead one astray and away from God’s grace. Within Christian mindfulness, reliable emotional experiences and intuitive knowing stems from a Spirit-filled conscience and God-given grace, purity, and sincerity, whereas secular mindfulness’s intuition and emotion is within self. Effective action stems from love motivation, hope, and endurance, and humankind receives this “bear all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7) love, hope, and endurance from God alone. Christian mindfulness realizes an often spiritually fatal problem of humanity, one of preconceived ideas and notions. These ideas and notions tend to play out in one’s subconscious and serve as roots of self-deception, misconduct, confusion, misperceptions, and erroneous thoughts and judgments. The Christian worldview calls these issues sin, or missing the mark, which logically translates in Christian psychology as a miss in the human brain, which one plays out in behavior. To resolve this “missing,” God’s key is fulfillment, a continuous action of filling up and overflowing joy and peace (Romans 15:13). In order to accomplish this, one must diminish self, and in Christian mindfulness this happens by exercising self-control (1 Corinthians 9:27), renewing the mind (Ephesians 4:22-24), and taking one’s thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Christian mindfulness utilizes taking thoughts captive by way of discovering contentment with effective action of breaking one’s focus on the “not’s” (“are not,” “have not,” and “do not”), and refocusing on what will resolve the discontent, by “be[ing] still and know[ing] I am God” (Psalm 46:10). The “not’s” represent a form of “spiritual ADHD,” hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity, which many borderline personalities possess if not in physical action, in mindlessness. One of inattention’s listed criterion: “often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes;” hyperactivity’s listed criterion: “is often ‘on the go’ or often acts as if ‘driven by a motor’ (though we are not sure where they are going);” and impulsivity’s listed criterion: “often blurts our answers before questions have been completed (or understood)” (“Symptoms of”, n.d.). Mindfulness learns to get away from this disturbing thought process or attitudinal engagement by being still, simply observing the thought without getting involved with it, and returning to the here and now. Taking the thought and holding it captive is best described in the Jameson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary (n.d.):
Arrange the words following thus: "Bringing every thought (that is, intent of the mind or will) into captivity to the obedience of Christ," that is, to obey Christ. The three steps of the apostle's spiritual warfare are: (1) It demolishes what is opposed to Christ; (2) It leads captive; (3) It brings into obedience to Christ (Ro 1:5; 16:26). The "reasonings" [sic] (English Version, "imaginations") are utterly "cast down." The "mental intents" (English Version, "thoughts") are taken willing captives, and tender the voluntary obedience of faith to Christ the Conqueror.
Take these key steps of the apostles and apply them to the application of mindfulness: * observe and describe, putting words on the experience or thought changing them from “imaginations” to fact, * repeat this step until surety and understanding of it illuminates, * test it against and with the Spirit’s guided intuition, * focus on the facts without preconceived and dramatic expletives, * be still in and trust God, * giving over and allowing Him to take away any distractions and prompt any needs, and * act effectively in grace, purity, and sincerity; meeting the needs of the situation (Linehan, 1993).
These steps in turn will demolish what is opposed to Christ, lead the thoughts – taking them captive, and bring them into obedience, thus exercising self-control and a renewing of the mind through Christ. Effective action by dwelling with Christ and delighting in Him in mind, spirit, and action removes one’s hindrances upon God allowing Him to fulfill His promise to His children, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you” (Psalm 37:4-5, NLT).
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus, And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:6-9, NLT).
Finally, remember dear Christians, mindfulness can exist within the context of biblical scriptures; within the context of God’s nature and ways, deepening our connection with Him, allowing us spiritual inspirations by Him by personally, and mindfully reflecting upon His nature, will, and creation and in doing so His peace will be with us.

References
Linehan, M. (1993). Skills training manual for treating borderline disorder personality. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Monroe, P. (2010, February 14). Christian psychology and mindfulness. Society for christian psychology. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://christianpsych.org/ wp_scp/2010/02/14/christian-psychology-and-mindfulness/
Montenegro, M. (2010, November). Mindfulness: no-mind over matter. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/ Articles_Mindfulness.html
Nattan, S. (n.d.). That ye may be mindful. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://blessedquietness.com/journal/housechu/mindful.htm
Symptoms of ADHD. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://www.intuniv.com/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/symptoms-of adhd.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term= hyperactivity&utm_campaign=general_adhd_phrase&mid= I000647&wt.srch=1&wt.mc_id={hyperactivity}&src=1