"Mindfulness Meditation" grew out of Buddhist practice. Is there a role for it in Christian Spirituality?

Question

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness for further information.

Answer 1

I read the site. It is quite excellent, but most christians will not be open to Mindfulness Meditation, for they have many misconceptions about any sort of eastern meditation. They believe that one simply empties their mind, and thus allows any, or all evil spirits in, to control the meditators thought processes.
To christians, meditation simply means thinking, or pondering on a scripture.
Most christians enter into this kind of religious meditation without even praying first, to let go, or casting their cares, their worries, apprehensions and anxieties upon their god first, before meditating {pondering deeply) on some biblical scriptures.

In Eastern Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation, the letting go, takes place during the meditative practice. What most christians are unaware of is that, Buddhist meditators are cognitively alert, not spaced out/empty, are mindful of all that is going on in the workings of the mind during meditation.
Mindfulness Meditation has already been successfully proven by Dr.Jon Kabat-Zinn
PhD and many other Drs. and Psychologists worldwide - to improve the cognitive areas of the brain, thus highly developing & improving our memory, concentration, focus and so much more. An additional benefit is that it helps us accurately and clearly see things, people and situations as they really are so that we do not over-react in an unwholesome way. It also produces Patience which is the ability to remain calm and undisturbed in the face of harm and difficulties in Life. And as most everyone already know, it brings us a stable peace of mind, and happiness.

Some are not very open-minded to new things, even if the evidence has already proven it to be quite successful.

But, we all must find our own ways, and methods for lessoning our sufferings in life, and to acquire peace of mind, and Happiness, while respecting the free will of others.

Answer 2

Biblical 'meditate' is not derived from Buddhism. There is absolutely a place for meditation, as described biblically, in Christianity. It isn't mystical however, and is seeking out God and his Son Jesus.

There are plenty of mystical activities in Christianity, but all are directed by the Holy Spirit, as he desires, when he desires, and all point to the Father, by way of his Son Jesus.

Julian and Godless, although I'm sure are wonderful folks, are also not accurate in their description of the Christian perspective on meditation. Buddhist practices are atheistic, so really don't line-up with Christian beliefs.

Answer 3

You sound like a Jesuit, did you flow to Loyola or Marquette or Georgetown? you may note that the Jesuits have had a touch bit a run-in with the Pope over this count number number. To over simplify the Jesuits stated that because neither Obama nor McCain thoroughly believe Catholic practise (Obama is professional abortion and McCain is professional conflict and professional death penalty) then Catholics are left with a seize 22 project. Can a Catholic vote in reliable wide conscious to end the conflict in Iraq and for abortion? Can a Catholic vote in reliable wide conscious for the conflict and hostile to abortion? The Jesuits say those are valid topics for debate. The Pope, and really some the Catholic hierarchy, says that the abortion issue trumps all others. The Jesuits counter that the Pope could then issue an infallible practise. Absent an infallible practise it truly is an open question. As you may imagine, that argument did not flow over properly with his Holiness. The Jesuit-run information mag united statesa. now has a clean editor in chief. ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam

Answer 4

No they're afraid of the concept of mediation. Prayer is as far as they will go. Meditation allows you to tap into the holy spirit, and for a Christian this is the work of the devil because only Jesus can allow you to tap into the holy spirit if he is not too busy at the time.

Answer 5

Of course there's room for meditation in what I like to consider Enlightened Christianity. It helps to connect onesself to the inner workings of things, and therefore to God in teh Christian faith. Really, meditation can take you to whatever god you want it to, so long as you know how. And I think it'd do most of them some good just to sit down with God and hammer some things out with him.

Once again, shinto standpoint. Just my disclaimer.

Answer 6

To meditate, you have to connect with your mind and your own reality. Christianity isn't about the mind or reality.