Being more than mindful of mindfulness – Part 3

Part 3: Christian Mindfulness is about filling your mind with good things and putting them into practice.

This is the third of three posts in a series titled “Being more than Mindful of Mindfulness”.

In the first post I examined whether or not Mindfulness as a clinical intervention is efficacious. In the second post, I suggested that attachment and discontentment are contrasting and distinctive features of Christian life. In this final Post, I suggest that Christians are to be mindful, but mindful OF something in particular.

Summary

Christian Mindfulness focuses on good things. Focusing on these things, and finding ways to put these good things into practice gives us a direction. Having a direction equates to having an identity. That is what gives us peace.

There is something to be mindful of in Christian faith.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8).

The goal of Christian Mindfulness is not to empty your mind, it is to fill it. With good things. We don’t suffer for grasping what is good, we grow and flourish because we pursue what is good.

And this is where the real benefits of Christian Mindfulness reside. To behold and pursue the good, gives us direction. Our direction gives us an identity. Our Hearts are restored.

And this is the contrast between the two. Christian flourishing is not achieved by the annihilation of the self (Anatta) so that we can find peace. Instead it is achieved by devoting ourselves to be mindful of the good things in life (as stated in Philippians) and putting them into practice. Then we will have a Self. Then we really will find peace.