A little mindfulness never hurt anyone

Once again Oprah Winfrey has generated a lot of interest (and some controversy) regarding spirituality as she recently launched a worldwide discussion about Eckhart Tolle’s book "A New Earth."

Folks who know me know I’m a big Oprah fan. I watch the show nearly every day while running on the treadmill in my basement, and I really enjoy her magazine, which I feel has raised the bar intellectually for other popular women’s magazines. I also admire her philanthropy and her ability to speak to women on a wide range of issues, from human trafficking and AIDS relief, to self improvement and introspection, to finding a pair of jeans that look good on your butt. I don't agree with everything she says, of course, but I like her.

I’ve watched the recent shows about Tolle and A New Earth with mild interest. New Age spirituality isn’t really my cup of tea, and ever since I visited India I’ve been a bit skeptical about Eastern religions, as they seem to perpetuate a cultural indifference toward human suffering. However, unlike some, I don’t think Oprah and Tolle are out to take the world for Satan. In fact, I think they might actually have a few good things to say, particularly about mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the practice of being intentionally aware of one’s thoughts and actions in the present moment. In Buddhism, Right Mindfulness is the seventh path from the Noble Eightfold Path.

Let me be clear. I’m not a Buddhist (or an Oprah follower for that matter); I’m a Christian. However, I’ve always felt that mindfulness is one of those good ideas from which we can all benefit, particularly those of us who tend to be excessively busy, goal-oriented, entitled, and materialistic (which unfortunately includes most Americans).

I first encountered the idea of mindfulness while reading Thich Nhat Hanh’s Living Buddha, Living Christ. Here’s what he says about mindfulness:

“In Buddhism, our effort is to practice mindfulness in each moment-to know what is going on within and all around us. When Buddha was asked, ‘Sir what do you and your monks practice?’ he replied, ‘We sit, we walk, we eat.’ The questioner continued, ‘But sir, everyone sits, walks, and eats,’ and the Buddha told him, ‘When we sit, we know we are sitting. When we walk, we know we are walking. When we eat, we know we are eating.’ Most of the time, we are lost in the past or carried away by future projects and concerns. When we are mindful, touching deeply the present moment, we can see and listen deeply, and the fruits are always understanding, acceptance, love, and the desire to relieve suffering and bring joy. When our beautiful child comes up to us to us and smiles, we are completely there for her.”

I think this is a marvelous idea, one that can compliment (rather than compete with) Christian beliefs and practices. For example:

- When I practice mindfulness in conversation, I listen to what others are saying rather than worrying about what I’m going to say next.
- When I practice mindfulness in eating, I savor and enjoy smaller portions instead of absently scarfing down an entire can of Pringles while watching “The Biggest Loser.”
- When I practice mindfulness in doing housework, I quiet those pesky and prideful thoughts of being “above” cleaning the toilet.
-  When I practice mindfulness while reading Scripture, I am more in tune with how the Holy Spirit is speaking to me at that moment and less concerned about which theological system best explains what I’ve read.
- When I practice mindfulness while praying, I find myself doubting less and believing more.
- When I practice mindfulness while serving, I focus on the needs of others rather than what’s next on my “to-do” list.

I think one of the mistakes Christian fundamentalists make is to assume that other religions or cultural traditions have absolutely nothing to teach us. It’s too bad because, in this new global community, there’s a lot we can learn from one another.


matt
Comment
other religions
Reply #1 on : Sat April 19, 2008, 21:30:16
I remember when I was in high school, a very influential mentor strongly discouraged me from studying other religions. The line of reasoning given was that since "we" [i.e.- christians] have the truth, there is no reason to study the thought of those who don't. Furthermore, it was argued, only through focusing on the true word of God [i.e.- the Bible] would one be best able to recognize false doctrine.

I praise God that I rejected this advice. My own faith and encounter with God has been deeply enriched through getting acquainted with other religions and how they have experienced God.

Thanks, Rachel, for sharing your thoughts on mindfulness.

And Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
Tim
Comment
Thich Nhat Hanh and the like
Reply #2 on : Thu April 24, 2008, 20:55:54
I'm glad to see open minded Christians reading Buddhist authors. Too many Christians that I've encountered tend to settle for something between an ignorant to a down right hateful view of other religions, philosophies and belief systems. Most people, Christian or otherwise, would find more focus in their life by cracking other books from time to time.

Many of the ideas in Buddhism are applicable to every human being in every religion. The focus to be found in types of meditation can help anyone in today's fast-paced lifestyle. I've always like one of Thich Nhat Hanh's exercises while driving. Every red light you come to, instead of thinking about your hurry or being annoyed by traffic, take that moment to kind of thank the traffic light and do a simple breath meditation until it turns green. It's not a lot and it shouldn't be the only mindful time in your day, but it is a lovely way to bring the stress down a touch.

Blessed be,
Tim
Jason
Comment
Re: A little mindfulness never hurt anyone
Reply #3 on : Fri April 25, 2008, 10:59:03
In seeking how one should live his/her life...a basic question arises..."Where do I go to find truth about how to live my life?" Jesus clearly states in John 14:6 that He is truth. We also find this truth in 1 John that God is truth.

The principle of 'mindfulness' is written all throughout the Scriptures. James 1:19: 'Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.' Jesus also calls His people not to worry. Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 22:39 "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Studying other religions is not evil. I myself have studied many other religions. But if there are principles by which I should live my life and principles to hide in my heart, I shall say with David "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day" Psalms 119:97.

Buddha my say 'good' things, but God says great things, and His Word is written on my heart, not the words of man. If I seek to love others and not to be angry and be mindful of others, I will seek the words of comfort from the Comforter and words of wisdom from the Wise One. Jer 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Buddha and I have this in common, we are desperately wicked, but I have been redeemed! I can now seek true wisdom, but Buddha is left seeking foolishness.
Kristen
Comment
Yes!
Reply #4 on : Fri April 25, 2008, 14:23:40
I'm so glad you've posted this. I absolutely agree with you. I went to the beach last weekend, and, on the ride home, my friend and I discussed this very topic. Other religions, Buddhism particularly, have been a fairly-recent (within the last 5 years or so) fascination of mine. Now, I'm not that learned or well-read in Buddhism, but the things I have learned from Buddhist friends have really intrigued me. I long for a culture that values thinking, quiet, introspection, knowledge, power of the self, nature, etc., and I think many Christians could benefit from these, which are central to Buddhism.

Growing up going to a Christian church, I always felt that the church tired to dampen the power of "the self." Since then, I've found that I'm most interested in this "self" and what it can do. Education, meditation, self-assurance, wordly (I really hate that word) intelligence--these things, while not actively discouraged, always seemed to take a backseat to sacrifice, biblical knowledge, prayer, etc. Of course, in any religion, involvement, and even emersion, in the religion is important, but I think people (regardless of religious affiliation) benefit from the former. In other words, for people to be healthy people, they should be educated in multiple areas, confident in their own abilities, self-reliant, and learned.

When I was growing up, I was always considered smart and responsible (the girl with her head screwed on straight), but people, I felt, always expected me to thank god for these "gifts" rather than acknowlege my own hard work and determination that brought them about. Now that I'm older, this saddens me a great deal. I think people should be able to take pride in their accomplishments, and take ownership of "the self" (selves) they have created.

Oh, I could go on for days about ownership of the self, but I'll stop here. I'm clearly on a bunny trail that is way to long to chase in the comments section of a blog. Basically, I'm on board with learning from other groups--culutural, religious, regional, etc.--in an effort to become the most responsible person you can for the bettering of the world.

Kudos for this post!
Kristen
Comment
Re: A little mindfulness never hurt anyone
Reply #5 on : Fri April 25, 2008, 14:26:38
way too long...

That's what I meant to type. Agh.

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