Mindful meditation. Is there a place for it with Christians?

[Carl Emerson]

Thanks for making me aware of him. It must have been fascinating to be in class with him where you can ask questions and dialogue.

Water Buffalo Theology is now on my reading list....maybe

He was born again at 15 and served on the mission field in Thailand.

Somehow he managed to do the ecumenical dance without compromising his faith.

The only issue I had about his personal journey was that he placed his idolatry on a boat, Shinto fashion and waved goodby to his old belief as it floated down the river. - whether this constsiuted a renounciation remains a question.

 

[Carl Emerson]

If one is caught up in their thinking mind, as most of us are, that's the kind of thing that gets into the way of being in Spirit. We can't do both, that is being in Spirit and being in a thinking mind. It just doesn't work. That's where the practice of mindfulness comes into play which helps a person be fully aware of Spirit because they aren't all wrapped up in their mental thoughts. At the same time, there is a place in this world where a thinking mind is a must. I can't imagine driving down the highway at 70 miles an hour fully engulfed in Spirit and carried away by it.

But if you continue to call Christian meditation "mindfulness" and recommend "mindfulness" in general, you run the risk of stumbling believers, or seekers, into the pagan counterfeit.

 

[dlamberth]

Rather than using the term "mindfulness" would something like "be here now" work?

 

[dlamberth]

But if you continue to call Christian meditation "mindfulness" and recommend "mindfulness" in general, you run the risk of stumbling believers, or seekers, into the pagan counterfeit.

Or on the other hand, stumble into Spirit? That is another potential trajectory.

I think that fear can get into the way of a deeper relationship with Christ.

 

[dlamberth]

Yes, of The Biblical God.

dlamberth says, "presence"

But of what or who? That is the BIG question.

Life in general.
Presence with the one your with, with what a person is doing at the moment, reading scripture, prayer, combing your hair, washing dishes...with Life.

 

[dlamberth]

Paul says it clear and plain...

1 Cor 10
20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

I've found that the demons in my life comes from my own thinking mind as I judge others and myself and go into all kinds of unhealthy directions with my mental thoughts. That's when I've done things I'm not at all proud of. Being aware of the presence of God has helped with that aspect of myself. And I couldn't of done that with out mindfulness sort of practices.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Life in general.
Presence with the one your with, with what a person is doing at the moment, reading scripture, prayer, combing your hair, washing dishes...with Life.

I see. fully engaged in the present moment whatever is going on. Not like reading a page and not knowing what you just read.

Where did I put my keys?

 

[Carl Emerson]

How about "Practicing the Presence of God" penned by Brother Lawrence ?????

Now there is a better term to use !!!

 

[Carl Emerson]

I think that fear can get into the way of a deeper relationship with Christ.

Absolutely correct and a common problem among believers.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

How about "Practicing the Presence of God" penned by Brother Lawrence ?????

Now there is a better term to use !!!

Absolutely. I guess I am trying to build a bridge to some local guys here who are into Mindfulness.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Absolutely. I guess I am trying to build a bridge to some local guys here who are into Mindfulness.

Excellent

 

[dlamberth]

How about "Practicing the Presence of God" penned by Brother Lawrence ?????

Now there is a better term to use !!!

Brother Lawrence works well for this discussion. It's been a lot of years since I looked into him. I appreciate you bringing him up.

In my practice, the Presence of God is everywhere one looks, without exception. So that works well for me. Which is why I also have to take in the presence of Life with in that context.

To actually practice it DEEPLY though, and to get into the depth of Presence that Brother Lawrence experienced does take mindfulness. Otherwise the thinking mind detracts and you loose that subtle awareness of Presence. Monks spend a LOT of time in meditation. After years at it they begin to look a bit like turtles in the way their head hangs down low from long periods of meditation. Christians may not call it mindfulness, but that's what it takes in order to be in daily communion with God as Brother Lawrence experienced. He was focused and aware and present. From my experience, Monks in monasteries have a very different approach to the spiritual trajectory than does the general Christian population.