Meditation and Mindfulness in Light of the Bible
Explore the harmony between Christian faith and meditation and mindfulness practices, delving into their biblical support and the spiritual growth they offer.
Can you be a believer and practice meditation or mindfulness?
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I have noticed that among Christians in general, the word "meditation" seems taboo. Perhaps "mindfulness" is less activating, but overall it still seems to elicit a response of concern. Why is it that many in the church often believe these practices to be anti-Biblical? Perhaps it is because when many people hear the words meditation and mindfulness, they're thinking of Buddhist monks or some kind of mystic ritual. However, I firmly believe that God designed us to be meditative and mindful beings. Here is my take on how these practices can enhance Christian faith and how they are supported in scripture.
Mindfulness and Meditation are not "bad" words!
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According to Merriam-Webster, the word "mindfulness" means: "the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis."
The word "meditate" is defined as: "to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a ) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness".
As you read those definitions, ask yourself why a follower of Christ might find issue with the practices of mindfulness and meditation? Is there something inherently wrong with either of these mental practices? Perhaps it is the intention behind them that is actually what matters.
Reading these definitions, you may see the words "spiritual awareness" and think again of, say, Buddhist monks. Or maybe you think of someone saying "I'm not a Christian or religious, but I am spiritual". However, I would argue that Christians (or Christ followers, as the term I prefer) need to have spiritual awareness. In fact, this makes me think of the phrase "being filled with the spirit". God sent the Holy Spirit to us to guide us through this life. We are connected to God, we can hear Him speak, if we listen. If we focus our thoughts and become aware of His presence. If we meditate on His word and be mindful!
Scripture refers to meditation many times!
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Several scriptures, particularly the Psalms, refer to meditation as a spiritual practice. In Joshua 1:8 (NIV), we see this instruction to the Israelites:
"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it."
Psalms contains many scriptures which refer to meditation. Here are just a few:
"Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love." Psalm 48:9
"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." Psalm 143:5 NIV
"May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD." Psalm 104:34 NIV
All of these scriptures show that meditation is not a "bad" word in God's eyes. In fact, meditating on God, His word, and His deeds are encouraged. In the New Testament, there are many instances in which Jesus withdrew to be in solitude and pray. Most Christians have heard it quoted from scripture: "Be still and know that I am God". That is basically what we do when we meditate on God and when we are mindful of His presence in our midst.
What is the purpose and the benefit of meditation and mindfulness for believers?
Going back to the definitions of mindfulness above, we see that both mindfulness and meditation are "mental exercises" for becoming "spiritually aware". Meditation and mindfulness both benefit us spiritually. Personally, I differentiate meditation and mindfulness by the activity. I consider prayer and being still in God's presence as meditation, when I am setting aside a structured time to meditate. I do differentiate meditation from prayer in that meditation is more the time that I focus my intention on hearing from God rather than speaking to Him. Prayer is wonderful and I believe we should spend time thanking God verbally as well as presenting our requests before Him. However, I believe intentionally setting aside time in silent meditation in His presence allows us to clear our minds so that we may hear (or see, or understand) things that He wants to tell us about ourselves, about Himself, and about how we ought to live out our faith. Romans 12:2 states:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This renewing of our minds, this transformational experience that Paul refers to in this verse, is what I believe one of the the greatest benefits of meditation for believers. The second part of the verse, being able to test and approve what is God's will for us, sounds a lot like gaining the "spiritual awareness" referred to in the definition of meditation. That is another benefit, being able to actually hear and know God more deeply. We are so caught up in our day to day lives, that we forget to be still in His presence. We are so concerned at times with speaking elaborate prayers, that we forget to listen for the voice of God, bringing us closer to Him. Meditation as an intentional spiritual practice can deepen our faith and teach us to slow down, rest in His presence, and listen for His voice.
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And what of mindfulness? Mindfulness is what I feel is meant when Paul instructed early Christians to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Mindfulness is being aware of our thoughts and feelings and staying present. It keeps us grounded in the here and now, not worrying too much about what lies ahead or what happened in the past. When we practice mindfulness, we are working on becoming aware of how our thoughts and feelings affect us and our perception of things that happen to us.
By becoming mindful, we can learn to respond, rather than react.
For example, think of a time that something happened to you that made you frustrated and angry. What was your reaction? Were you very quick to react, without giving much thought to what it was that made you upset, and why? I understand that there are some situations in life that warrant quick response without much forethought. But for the most part, we can all benefit from responding rather than reacting. What does this mean? Well, maybe the next time that something makes you upset, try to take a moment to use mindfulness. Become aware of the thoughts and feelings that arise before expressing them externally. Take some deep breaths. Talk yourself through the situation mentally to understand what your perceptions are and how your initial reaction may not be beneficial in the situation. Mindfulness can help you deal with relationship conflicts, help you stay calm in tough situations, and help you stay grounded in God's truth instead of being consumed with worries and fear.
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In conclusion...
Mindfulness and meditation are not practices to be avoided by believers. If anything, Scripture advocates for both meditation and mindfulness as a way to help us become more aware of God's presence and guidance of His Holy Spirit. As a believer, I do not practice meditation or mindfulness as a way to exalt myself, or make myself a god. My focus and intentions are on what the Spirit wants to communicate to me, and how I can grow in my faith. Meditation has personally helped me deal with difficult life circumstances by helping me center myself on the truth of who I am in Christ. I am a creation of God, made in His image, having a human experience. Often in meditation, I choose a mantra that reminds me of God's love for me and His promises for my life. For example, I might meditate on these affirmations based on some of my favorite verses: "I am loved" (1 John 4:16). "I am safe" (Psalm 91:4). "I have everything that I need" (Philipians 4:19).
One thing I love about meditation and mindfulness is that you can make it your own. You can decide what works best for you and your spiritual walk. There are books and apps available for faith based meditation and mindfulness. Or perhaps you create your own meditation practice by taking scriptures and creating mantras - or affirmation, if you prefer - to focus on in your meditation.
If you are interested in learning more about mindfulness and how you can incorporate it as a spiritual practice, book a discovery call with me for free to see if mindfulness coaching would be helpful to you.
I hope this blog post has been helpful and informative. Thank you so much for reading.
With light and love,
Julia
Disclaimer: Embrace Joy Yoga (Julia Townsend) is not liable for any bodily injury or property damage incurred by persons using this yoga instruction video. Use this video at your own risk. Consult with your medical provider before engaging in yoga for physical activity.