Mindfulness

Carl Emerson · Aug 18, 2022

JimR-OCDS said:
God didn't eradicate false images and practices, they still exist today.
However, God didn't stop the creation of images in order to help the people.
God had a serpent on a pole created to protect the people from snake bites.
See Numbers 21:4-9. Did God violate his own commandment not to make false
images? No, understanding the correct context of the commandment is what's needed.

God gave men truths, and before Christianity existed, not just to Jews and then Christians alone. Those who sought truth were given pieces of it. The wisdom expressed in other religions is the same that is expressed in Christianity, because truth is truth, regardless of whom God revealed it to. Christianity, received the fullness of revealed truth through Jesus Christ, and that truth is what we must
bring to others. Truth, can only be taught through love and not arguments about who has it right and who has it wrong.

The serpent in Numbers 21 was not a graven image for worship.

Because God did not eradicate an evil practice from humanity does not mean He condones it.

God gave man spiritual truths before Christianity existed through the Patriarchs and their descendants not through pagan seers who derive their 'wisdom' from the demonic realm.

If you claims were correct God would have had no reason to ban the amalgamation of other faiths into Jewish life and worship.

Arguments are appropriate as Paul contended on Mars Hill. Foolish arguments are what is fruitless.

Carl Emerson · Aug 18, 2022

Leaf473 said:
Hey Carl,

I think this is similar to what we talked about on a different thread, about having faith to do this or that, and holding that faith before God. I can probably find the post, if you're not sure what I'm talking about.

One person hears a word and thinks False gods.

Another person hears the same word and thinks No big deal, could have some benefits.

We each hold our faith before God.

That's how it looks to me.
Peace, my man!

When the matter pertains to worship and meditation the matter gets more serious as we can easily end up mediating a false spirit without realising it.

JimR-OCDS · Aug 18, 2022

Carl Emerson said:
The serpent in Numbers 21 was not a graven image for worship.

Because God did not eradicate an evil practice from humanity does not mean He condones it.

God gave man spiritual truths before Christianity existed through the Patriarchs and their descendants not through pagan seers who derive their 'wisdom' from the demonic realm.

If you claims were correct God would have had no reason to ban the amalgamation of other faiths into Jewish life and worship.

Arguments are appropriate as Paul contended on Mars Hill. Foolish arguments are what is fruitless.

Noone is worshiping graven images here, so I don't know where you got that idea.

God didn't give just Jews spiritual truths, as people in parts of China and India probably never heard or read Jewish text.

As it is, the Jews didn't have all the truths as they condemned Jesus and had the Romans crucify him.

Like I said, all religions have some similarities. This is because truth is truth and doesn't change because of the religion that teaches it.

There are things in Eastern Religious we don't agree with as we are Christ centered, they are not.

Carl Emerson · Aug 18, 2022

JimR-OCDS said:
Noone is worshiping graven images here, so I don't know where you got that idea.

God didn't give just Jews spiritual truths, as people in parts of China and India probably never heard or read Jewish text.

As it is, the Jews didn't have all the truths as they condemned Jesus and had the Romans crucify him.

Like I said, all religions have some similarities. This is because truth is truth and doesn't change because of the religion that teaches it.

There are things in Eastern Religious we don't agree with as we are Christ centered, they are not.

1 Cor 10
...I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons...

JimR-OCDS · Aug 18, 2022

Carl Emerson said:
1 Cor 10
...I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons...

St Paul is talking about Gentiles who were non-believers and mostly Roman Pagans who worshiped statues.

This has nothing to do with the thread about "mindfulness," and the teachings on
contemplative prayer from the spiritual masters of Christianity.

Carl Emerson · Aug 18, 2022

Mindfulness being taught in our schools has nothing to do with Christ.

The roots of the mindfulness movement trace back to Buddhism.

Carl Emerson · Aug 18, 2022

Denying the future and the past is an assault on ones true identity and leads to a deceptive pietistic withdrawal.

JimR-OCDS · Aug 19, 2022

Carl Emerson said:
Mindfulness being taught in our schools has nothing to do with Christ.

The roots of the mindfulness movement trace back to Buddhism.

Christ isn't taught in public schools as there are children from different religions
or none.

Again, mindfulness is nothing more than being aware of your presence in the moment and focusing on what you're doing.

I went to Catholic School, and they didn't call it mindfulness, but being focused was
part of the education process.

Carl Emerson · Aug 19, 2022

Mindfulness derives from sati, a significant element of Buddhist traditions,[6][7] and is based on Zen, Vipassanā, and Tibetan meditation techniques.

Individuals who have contributed to the popularity of mindfulness in the modern Western context include Thích Nhất Hạnh, Herbert Benson, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Richard J. Davidson,[17][18] and Sam Harris.

JimR-OCDS · Aug 19, 2022

You are using the definition by Jon-Kobat Zinn, which is the
Buddhist Definition.

Here's the general definition and understood by Christians.

Mindfulness Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Definition of mindfulness

1: the quality or state of being mindful
2: the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basisalso : such a state of awareness

BPPLEE · Aug 19, 2022

Carl Emerson said:
Mindfulness is self centred or worse - watchfulness is Jesus centred meditating in His living Word.

If you empty your mind you are leaving the door open for something else to fill it.

Psalm 27 · Aug 19, 2022

Carl Emerson said:
Hi there,

Just interested in the mindfulnes movement.

Clinical psychologists are pushing this approach to finding peace.

Schools are adopting it.

Questions...

What are it's roots?

Should Christians adopt these practices.

Comments welcome.

I believe it's rooted in new age

Carl Emerson · Aug 19, 2022

JimR-OCDS said:
Christ isn't taught in public schools as there are children from different religions
or none.

Again, mindfulness is nothing more than being aware of your presence in the moment and focusing on what you're doing.

I went to Catholic School, and they didn't call it mindfulness, but being focused was
part of the education process.

We have a programme called 'Bible in Schools" it is not compulsory but gets a good attendance.

JimR-OCDS · Aug 19, 2022

Being mindful is what Jesus told us to do when he says, "watch and pray," and
he also gave the story of the virgins, waiting for the bridegroom. The one's who
were vigilant, met him when he came while the others who were asleep, missed out.

This kind of watching requires being attentive and alert about what’s happening around us. That’s what the Christian has to do because: “The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” What does Jesus exactly mean by the term watch and pray? - BibleAsk

JimR-OCDS · Aug 19, 2022

Psalm 27 said:
I believe it's rooted in new age

So don't be aware of your thoughts and emotions, just react to whatever comes into your mind.

Of course, this is the opposite of mindfulness.

JimR-OCDS · Aug 19, 2022

Carl Emerson said:
We have a programme called 'Bible in Schools" it is not compulsory but gets a good attendance.

Such things are not allowed in public schools in the US.

Heck, even a period of silence is no longer allowed.

If my kids were school age, they wouldn't spend a day in public school

JimR-OCDS · Aug 19, 2022

BPPLEE said:
If you empty your mind you are leaving the door open for something else to fill it.

It's impossible to empty your mind.

Mindfulness is being aware of the thoughts that come into your mind and letting go of those erroneous thoughts. It's being aware of being in the present moment, which is where God is. God doesn't have time, only mortals here on earth do.

JimR-OCDS · Aug 19, 2022

Psalm 27 said:
I believe it's rooted in new age

Watch and pray. In other words, be mindful of the present moment and pray that the devil doesn't deceive you.

Psalm 27 · Aug 19, 2022

JimR-OCDS said:
So don't be aware of your thoughts and emotions, just react to whatever comes into your mind.

Of course, this is the opposite of mindfulness.

Paul tells believers to 'take every thought captive to obey Christ' 2 Cor.10:5

BPPLEE · Aug 19, 2022

JimR-OCDS said:
It's impossible to empty your mind.

Mindfulness is being aware of the thoughts that come into your mind and letting go of those erroneous thoughts. It's being aware of being in the present moment, which is where God is. God doesn't have time, only mortals here on earth do.

If that's all it is there would be no harm. What I'm reading on here suggests there is more to it.

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