In our hurry-scurry, harem-scarem, topsy-turvey world, is there room for “mindfulness”?
Good question! But I heard someone say recently, “I need a good time and place to catch up with myself!”
Probably all of us need to admit that. And an “experience” called “mindfulness” may be appealing to us.
Appealing? As we find ourselves carried along 24/7 by the outer and inner currents of our days, who are we to ourselves? What are we really in touch with? How noisy is our mind? How distracted? How taken captive by the stuff of the past or the concerns about the future?
“Mindfulness” calls us to be aware of ourselves in the present moments! To be aware of our very “being” as a breathing, sensing, feeling, valuing, relating, intentional, self-conscious soul which we can override with our constant comings, goings, doings and strivings.
Wait! Isn’t ‘mindfulness” a Buddhist thing? It is and has been encouraged by the Buddhist faith. Do they have a corner on self-awareness and consciousness of self? Not at all. Psalm 46.10 calls us to “Be still and know that I am God.” There is a long Christian tradition of contemplative prayer and meditation. Mindfulness practices can become a helpful way to respond to that first part of the call to be still.
I hear Christians noting that prayer and meditation makes them more mindful. Surely. But mindfulness calls for a narrowing of the focus: to deal with oneself in the moment- dismissing the past, the present, the surroundings- noting, listening, appreciating, apprehending, evaluating, longing, searching- being with oneself.
Sound rather self-centered? Only in the sense of honoring our innerness as a living being – of getting past the clutter of preoccupied thinking and of being non-judgmental, listening, and apprehending the presence of God who dwells within- of being awed by the existence of what is in our lives.
Others have described these set apart times in various ways: “practicing the present”, “being awake to our inner fulness”, “intimate attention to our inner being”, “being relaxed and alert to ourselves”.
I like to consider these times as wandering and wondering in the landscape of the Spirit. Perhaps all expressions fall short.
Most of us will have trouble dismissing intrusions of the past, demanding desires, anxious concerns, frenetic thoughts, scrupulous judging. It’s worth the dismissive effort. These times can become precious, refreshing, expanding, peaceful and can lead to sensitivity, richer awareness, deeper gratitude, fuller apprehension, greater empathy toward others, expanded creativity, more self-respectful health.
Unfortunately, “mindfulness” has been employed to enhance “productivity” through practiced techniques, and drafted into pop culture. Made the cover of TIME Magazine last year. Not what we are encouraging.
The Psalms radiate mindfulness along with many Biblical expressions. Jesus went apart even for forty days in the wilderness. Entering into the experience of mindfulness nourishes spiritual, emotional, relational and physical health. Promising?
Certainly this is an inadequate introduction or expression about mindfulness. Hopefully, you will explore further and enter in. Stop by the Health Ministry bulletin board to find a few resources to help you explore and experiment with practices of mindfulness.
~Earl Laman, Health Ministry member