In my last two posts, I introduced Christian Mindfulness and Meditation. I also explained ways to meditate on Christ. In this post, I will talk about Christian mindfulness, which is being focused on Christ throughout the day. Doing this helps me connect with God more than when my thoughts are “far from” Him. (see Mosiah 5:13) I also feel greater peace and receive more personal guidance than without being mindful of the Lord.
Meditating on the Lord regularly during times of quiet makes it easier to bring awareness of Him back when we are busily engaged in other activities.
How to use Awareness for Christian Mindfulness
- As often as you can remember, ask yourself to breathe deeply and straighten your posture. This will bring you back to your time of meditation and refocus your thoughts on the Lord.
- Check in with your feelings throughout the day. Focusing on your feelings carefully during times of quiet meditation enables you to recognize if you have positive or negative feelings at any time in the day. Recognize when you feel the Spirit and thank the Lord for it. Ask yourself why you are feeling it or why you are not? The Spirit testifies of Christ and helps us know if what we are doing is pleasing to the Lord or harmful to us. He warns us of danger. Be aware of all these feelings. It was revolutionary for me to learn to tell people, “I don’t feel comfortable with that.” And to be able to say no because of a feeling instead of always needing a logical answer.
- Take inventory of what is around you and then think of things that are not in your sight or close to you physically. Such as loved ones far away, other countries, things happening in other parts of the world and even the universe. We are like an aphid on a leaf that can only see a few inches around him. We need to realize that our existence is part of something much bigger. This helps me put my problems and joys into perspective.
Focusing our Thoughts on the Lord for Christian Mindfulness
To me, this is the most exciting way to apply mindfulness to Christianity. God has asked us again and again to do this. “Pray always” (Luke 21:36) (3 Nephi 18:15, 18-19, 21)
Our thoughts tend to become busy like a chattering monkey. (See Learn meditation from this Buddhist monk) We talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. We are almost addicted to endless thinking, much of which is useless or negative. When we try to focus our thoughts on the Lord we will train our minds and change our thought patterns to do so more and more continually.
The Lord lovingly urged us, “Look unto me in every thought.” (D&C 6:36) ”Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself.” (D&C 88:126)
Here some ways we can focus our thoughts on the Lord
- Repeat simple prayers such as “Thy will be done,” “Abide with me,” “Thank you.”
- Ask if what you are doing is pleasing to Him,
- Talk to Him in your mind or out loud.
- Ask what He would like you to do and how you can serve Him.
- Ask how you can serve Him.
- Think of the serenity prayer when things don’t go your way. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
- Thank God for everything you can think of as you are going about your day.
- Ask, “What would Jesus do?”
The Practice of The Presence of God is a short book of writings by Brother Lawrence, a lay monk who worked in the kitchen in the Carmelite monastery in Paris. Brother Lawrence shares how he brought God into every aspect of his life. He was always practicing Christian mindfulness. This small book can have a big impact on the reader’s life. I highly recommend it.
Conclusion
Practicing Christian Mindfulness focuses our thoughts on God. It opens our mind to guidance from the Lord and so that we can “Hear Him” and to feel His love.
This scripture has always been a favorite of mine. It sums up Christian Mindfulness and the blessings it brings.
“Cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” (Alma 37:36-37)
Thank you for reading. Feel free to email me or share your comments.