Original Article: Mindfulness: A Christian Approach - Focus on the Family
Highlights
mindfulness is a technique of deliberately focusing your attention on the present. You don’t let yourself be distracted by other thoughts constantly running through your head; you clear “noise” from your mind.
Mindfulness (some use the word grounding) is characterized by meditation and relaxation techniques. The idea is to become more self-aware. You pay attention to thoughts, feelings, and sensations in that moment — without purposefully deciding whether they’re good or bad, and without becoming overwhelmed or overly reactive. In short, you tune in to what’s real right now.
Like anything, mindfulness can be misused. However, it doesn’t automatically contradict the Christian faith. We just need to make sure we approach it in a wise, biblical way.
The concept of “mindfulness” is rooted in Zen Buddhist meditation, although it would be a mistake to classify this as a strictly Buddhist discipline. As we’ll talk about shortly, there’s strong support within the Judeo-Christian tradition and the pages of Scripture for the practice of meditation in general. For their part, Buddhists believe that awareness gained through meditation is a “power” that helps them reach nirvana: a state of enlightenment, peace, and happiness.
Can Christians safely practice mindfulness?
opinions about mindfulness and its impact vary in the Christian community.
Folks who are skeptical about it often point out its Eastern origins. They might say that mindfulness:
-
Is based on an unhealthy degree of self-focus.
-
Promotes a one-with-the-cosmos worldview.
-
Supports emptying the mind (which can leave people exposed to demonic influences).
-
Encourages escape from reality.
These concerns are valid. Secular mindfulness is horizontal. In other words, you pay attention only to yourself. However, that approach contradicts Scripture’s teaching to have the mind of Christ and evaluate everything in light of our vertical relationship with God and Jesus.
So, can mindfulness ever be a safe and positive option to manage stress and develop a healthier thought life? Yes!
What does the Bible say about mindfulness?
Thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say about calming our minds and keeping a vertical focus on the One who lovingly created us and knows us intimately. For example:
- The apostle Paul reminds Christians that they’re called to be mindful and live with an awareness of the present (Philippians 2:1-5).
- Prayer is one very practical way Christians apply mindfulness to daily life (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- Meditation appears in the Bible in the context of spending time studying the Word of God (Psalm 48:9; Psalm 63:6).
- We should look to Jesus and think about true, admirable things (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 4:8).
- Christians shouldn’t let themselves to be distracted by worry about the future (Matthew 6:25-34).
- Scripture teaches us to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
- Paul tells us to “be transformed” by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2) and to practice God-honoring thoughts (Philippians 4:9).