Mindfulness practice as a Christian helps to blossom faith and live in the now. It has been described as the awareness that arises through “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 1994, p. 4)It is allowing yourself to awareness of present location, what are you doing, and not distracted by anything else. As a Christian it is a way or practicing stillness. It is primarily connected with Psalm 46:10 – “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…”.
As Christian we need to be mindful as we are connected with our Saviour, Jesus Christ. I still remember what our Pastor preached one Sunday that God is present in now. With this we are connected with God not be anxious of the future nor be depressed by the past.
With mindfulness practice, we can create more focus on our action, thinking, relationship and work. It increases our focus as well on hearing the word of God during Sundays in our weekly service. Our relationship with God through worship will be tighten and build.
As we pray unceasingly daily, we are more connected with our creator by practicing Mindfulness.
Here are the benefits of Mindfulness Practice.
1.) Mindfulness makes our mind calm and at peace
Through mindfulness or breathing exercise our mind will be clear and more peaceful. We can have a clarity on how we communicate with others in a positive way. On Dr. Vincent Norman Peale book, “The Power of Positive Thinking”, he mentioned that a car with a clean combustion is powerful. Same with our mind, the clearer it is the calmer we are.
2.) Mindfulness helps Christian grow their Faith
Through practice of mindfulness, you will be allow of doing everything at ease through Faith. Like I mentioned earlier, when we are inside the church we will be more focus and attentive to God’s word. It will nourish our soul for the Godly works.
3.) Mindfulness will keep you honouring your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit
Mindfulness is a better way to let the Holy Spirit works in our life. It is a way honouring God of how He created us as a human being.
4.) Mindfulness is a cure for stress
It is proven even on medical practice that mindfulness breathing helps reduce stress. In our day to day living, we normally encounter tensions emotionally, mentally and physically. By prayer and doing mindfulness practices we can live a stress-free life full of God’s promises and purpose.
5.) Mindfulness improves communication and health
Mindfulness increases capacity for the regulation of emotion, response flexibility, fear modulation, insight, empathy, and a deep sense of morality. It decreases worry and anxiety. It increases peace that makes our human mind think rationally which improves our analytical skills.
According to Dr. Anthony Anike, Mindfulness meditation teaches us to recognize memory and imagination as events of the mind. These events are allowed to pass through consciousness, considered but not reacted to, and then allowed to drift away just as they came.
He added, “The calm consideration of memories and imagination allows the person to more easily recognize temptations and unhealthy habits, and provides emotional space in which it is possible to choose the optimal course without harsh judgment of self or others. There develops a clear distinction between those internal events and the self. And so are planted the seeds of compassion”.
For me there is nothing wrong of doing mindfulness techniques as a Christian. Still God loves us and through mindfulness we can exercise more compassion towards others, ourselves, and God. It will also strengthen our mind in doing everything mindfully. We can enjoy more of what we are doing like eating, exercising, watching TV, hearing worship songs and a lot of more.
