Welcome,
I'm so glad you're here.
Today,
Our practice is about mindfulness and Christianity.
As Christians,
We are taught to rely on Jesus for everything,
But does this mean that we aren't responsible for our personal growth?
The practice of mindfulness comes from the teaching of Buddha.
The philosophy,
Which has been integrated into Buddhist psychology,
Is that when we aren't mindful of our thoughts,
Actions,
Speech,
Etc.
,
We cause suffering.
This suffering is brought by us,
To us,
And we also inflict it onto others.
Example,
You're working from home and trying to get a paper finished.
Your children are bored and ready for your attention.
You lash out that you're busy and they should go find something to do.
Their feelings are hurt and you're upset for lashing out.
This is suffering.
In mindfulness,
You learn to respond,
Not react.
Learning to moderate and temper your feelings will help you to be more Christ-like by acting in love.
Mindfulness is taking a pause and thinking or deep breathing before responding.
It is also about awareness.
You are aware of the people around you,
The food before you,
The sensations of your body,
And act accordingly.
Mindfulness is a beautiful practice that can help you in all areas of life and can help you to be more loving and Christ-like.
Settle in for a mindfulness meditation.
Find a comfortable position and when you're ready,
Close your eyes.
We're going to start by taking some deeper than normal breaths.
This will help you to relax and to clear out any toxins from your lungs.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose.
Three,
Four,
Hold.
Exhale through your mouth slowly.
Let's repeat this two more times.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose.
Hold.
And exhale slowly through your mouth.
Let's repeat this one more time.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose.
Hold.
And exhale slowly through your mouth.
Return to your natural breath,
Inhaling and exhaling through the nose.
Focus your attention on where you feel your breath.
Is it when you inhale at your nose?
Is it at your diaphragm as it fills?
Or is it at the exhale?
Focus on where your breath has your attention.
Focus on where you feel your breath has your attention.
Focus on where you feel your breath has your attention.
Don't worry if you catch your thoughts wandering.
Focus on where you feel your breath has your attention.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Just don't focus on them.
Try to keep your attention on your breathing,
Acknowledging any thoughts that pass through your mind and letting them go.
Focus on where you feel your breath has your attention.
Focus on where you feel your breath has your attention.
Focus on where you feel your breath has your attention.
Focus on where you feel your breath has your attention.
Focus on where you feel your breath has your attention.
Acknowledge your thoughts and let them go.
Bring your attention back to the room.
Wiggle your fingers and your toes.
And when you're ready,
Open your eyes.
I hope you've enjoyed this meditation and I'll see you here next time.
