Of course, we want to be mindful of our behaviors, actions, and how we treat others. Melissa Dougherty is not addressing that type of mindfulness here. Mindfulness, often associated with Buddhism, is becoming popular in the mental health community. Mental health is important, and most of us need help during challenging seasons of life, but we need to be aware that mindfulness does not lead to mindlessness. See what Melissa has to say about mindfulness here.
Link: To learn more about Melissa Dougherty go to: https://crossexamined.org/melissa-dougherty/
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#Mindfulness #IsItOkForAChristianToPracticeMinfulness #WhatIsMindfulness #ChristiansAndMindfulness #QuestionsAboutChristianity #QuestionsInTheChurch #Parenting #ChristianParents #ThePracticeOfMindfulness #CrossExaminedApologeticsTeam ##MelissaDougherty
I don't see anything inherently wrong with the 'Buddhist' mindfulness - letting the busyness go and calming my thoughts to be still - this is helpful.
BUT...BUT...BUT... We are should come to the father above all.
SO...Prayer and coming to Jesus is the most important thing - 'Buddhist' mindfulness is like a walk in the park, breathing exercises, journaling - helpful satellites to include but not overcome prayer and listening to Jesus
Would love to hear people's thoughts, am open to being wrong
@EternityIncarnate Says:
Mindfulness meditation is the simple practice of being present. Nothing about it causes the individual to open themselves up to spiritual forces or reach out to them or anything of that nature. Practicing mindfulness meditation to the point (eventually) of developing mindfulness as a permanent quality of awareness is an incredibly helpful tool that has the potential to change the lives of many for the better. Christian or otherwise, many people are neurotic. I know people personally who are fully locked in with Christ, and yet they struggle with this. They become overwhelmed by the mind and their own thoughts. They have great difficulty controlling their emotions... very reactive at times... constantly stressed. Demons themselves gain access to us through the mind primarily. I know this to be true, having gone through a period of demonic oppression in my past. A mindfulness practice would help everyone to understand the difference between their thoughts, emotions and objective reality, making it MUCH more difficult to be deceived by demonic thoughts or satanic deception. It is quite frustrating to me when I see many christians lump everything together like "tarot cards, crystals, witchcraft, meditation." It can even feel deceptive, but I can only assume that they are simply ignorant on the subject of mindfulness meditation and what it even is in practice.
Now if we are talking about "meditations" that involve visualizations or connecting to higher beings, especially with the intent to "channel" them... that's no bueno. No one should ever do such things under any circumstances imo, but these are quite distinct from what cultivating mindfulness as a quality of awareness does for the individual.
I will admit that since encountering Christ and giving Him my life, I don't really meditate anymore OTHER THAN reciting the Jesus Prayer in sync with my breathing. This practice is a form of meditation/prayer all in one, and I do it everyday. But I don't know where I would be in life had I not cultivated that permanent quality of mindfulness early on (starting in my teens) by practicing simple mindfulness techniques on a regular basis. To me it is not a spiritual device at all, but a practical tool that can greatly improve your quality of awareness (and therefore life).
Just my two cents....
@karenperlman3081 Says:
The correct definition of mindfulness in the modern context is to simply be fully aware of the present moment and the feelings and spaces around you. ❤
@Christian91356 Says:
I was considering one Christian counselor, but when I saw “Christian mindfulness” on her list of therapeutic techniques, I knew there is no such thing since, like you said, mindfulness is a Buddhist practice.
@Narebika Says:
Mindfulness is the practice of self awareness, acceptance of feelings, and being present instead of fighting with feelings, and avoidance.
@larzchannel5975 Says:
There are disagreements about how to practice mindfulness. It can be very simple by just checking do I feel good right now or am I in a negative state of mind. It’s just information, it may be helpful information on how to direct prayer. I find that prayer can sometimes feel dry or ritualistic, observing the mind is just another angle that can make prayer more from the heart. I don’t agree with the Buddhist concept that there is no self other than in reality we are part of god and so god is the ultimate reality. That doesn’t mean the devil doesn’t exist. God created satan but not for us to follow. Other than that, the self that we experience today has some transient nature because the body and mind are always changing but many Buddhists seem to be nihilist even though they deny being nihilists.
@McMilesE Says:
Mindfulness is not "mindlessness"... You are wrong there
@sarahpfeuffer1396 Says:
Thank you. I don't like the detachmentness of it.
@miracletutoring2123 Says:
This is ignorance of mindfulness the Buddhists have wisdom
@magicja Says:
And yet you do not provide any scripture to hold your thoughts captive to Christ when explaining meditation and mindfulness.
@DanielCartwright-m6v Says:
This seems like a bit of a strawman. Would say a Christian who is feeling angry in the middle of an intense conversation and takes a deep breath to calm themselves is practicing Buddhism? I only know of mindfulness in the context of OCD, where you often attach unnecessary significance to unwanted, intrusive thoughts (so you end up with people who worry that their hands are dirty, or they might suddenly act out violently, or they are a pedophile, when there's actually no evidence to support those conclusions). The purpose of "mindfulness" in this case, is to allow you to simply observe your thoughts and emotions without immediately passing judgment. I once had a therapist give me a "grounding" technique, which was something like, "find 5 things you can feel, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can see" and so on. The idea was just to take you out of whatever anxiety loop you were stuck in and get you back engaged with the real world. Now, you might say, "that's fine; that doesn't resemble Buddhist meditation." But my question would be, which part, specifically, are Christians not allowed to use? Deep breathing? Closing our eyes? Where does it cross the line?
@tanyabaker4809 Says:
This is the BEST explanation of mindfulness meditation that I've ever heard from a Christian and the best argument against it. Thank you so much!
@KellieCameron-k6n Says:
thanks Melissa, I am at a Christian school and they brought this into our teaching. I got so upset with this teaching. This is nothing more than New Age philosophy. Thank you for your video
@JasonWills_DJ Says:
You are the light of the world! This is ultimate truth.
@kawaynerose2864 Says:
Have the mind of Christ🎉🎉🎉🎉 excelleng
@DanielPembrink-q6z Says:
The approach of mindfullness being aware of the five senses and being present is not good and not christian and people risk opening doors for demonic attacks and influences and deception. There is also secular evidence of making things worse for some people who practices it not just from a catholic background. The only way to fight bad and intrusive and obessive thoughts is to replace those thoughts and ideas with something better and healthier like immersing your self in scriptures, prayers, catholic contemplation and meditation where we are reflecting on gods words, promises, goodness, and mercy.
@OTATinfinite Says:
In Buddhism the mind isn't a barrier. It's self identification of things that aren't actually us. Which is attachment meaning anything can be an attachment even the lable Buddhism can be an attachment. The way to let go of this stuff isn't fighting it because the more you fight the "more" attached and ego one has built up it's to observe the reality of it. Trying to defend things that aren't really actually you. The conscious observer
@rdougie997 Says:
I’m still trying to figure it out. If someone focuses on their breath, do they not have the mind of Christ? (This is an over simplification, but I’m actually curious.) I’m a Christian and have tried it, and it’s been helpful. I think it’s good to pray, think about this topic and to discuss it as well to really make sure we are in the will of God.
@immersion6276 Says:
You're not worshiping other gods by practicing mindfulness, You're just becoming more aware of the present. In John 8:58, Jesus referred to himself as "I AM" meaning he is eternally present.
@user-dk8gc Says:
So I came out of the new age a couple years ago and became Christian. The problem is, I have been so afraid of being aware of my surroundings that I have been constantly ‘numbing’ myself with food to avoid feeling afraid. So I relapsed with binge eating disorder and bulimia. Of course, treatments for eating disorders are all about being aware of your thoughts, your beliefs and what your body needs, which is all mindfulness. I have been too afraid to do these practices, until I realised something: The beliefs associated with a practice as mundane as breathing or lighting a candle is what corrupts it (Romans 12).
The theology of Rowan Williams suggests that western Christianity is inspired by some subtle gnostic beliefs held by Augustine and Aquinas about the body- which is often disregarded as ‘less than’. But God became man and dwelt among us in creation, he has been present in creation in a body. He continues to be present in our bodies through the Holy Spirit. His presence works through his creation in each moment. We connect with him through his creation. We are his creation.
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, replacing the temple of Jerusalem. Therefore everything we do in this life is worship to God. Our lives worship God, so we can live intentionally, to glorify him. It is not a sin to be aware of your surroundings, to accept and appreciate each moment as it comes, or to feel your feelings, when this is literally worship to God.
Is it not surrender to accept the things we cannot control, to change the things we can and to be able to tell the difference. How will we know unless we are aware and present?
So how can it be evil to breathe, to be present, to acknowledge his presence, or to be aware of your thoughts? If life, breath and time are a gift, why would we not appreciate and enjoy them? If God has taken care of my future and has forgiven me for my past (by faith), why wouldn’t I be present? If God is with me, I can be still in this moment.
Brother Lawrence made his life, centred around the presence of God, intending all his tasks to be fully enjoyed, focused and dedicated to God. Is this not mindfulness?
Of course, I do not believe we need to stop thinking and detach from our thoughts. I do not believe there is ‘no self’. But I think we can learn to let go of the things we cannot control, and detach from sinful thoughts. I think our minds can be used powerfully if we align them with the truth. But how would we do this if we are not aware? It is basic biology, awareness of our mind helps us to change it. Which is why we must be ‘constantly vigilant’.
@monikap8777 Says:
I am sorry, but it is apparent that you do not have a clear understanding of mindfulness. First of all, it is not only beneficial to health when you use it while meditating. It can be useful throughout your all daily activities. So mindfulness does not equal meditation. But, when meditating, it does not equal spiritual practise, also. I am sorry, but I do not find you competent to talk about such things since you are neither theologian, nor psychologist nor psychotherapist and you didn't even do google research before making this video.
@butterflyat40 Says:
Could this be viewed as conditioning to disassociate
@kimreed2489 Says:
Melissa, thank you! I'm a new subscriber, love your content, and you have inspired me greatly to not just read my Bible, but to study it. I am a word nerd (lol), so I'm getting so much more out of my time with God! I'm learning so much from your videos too. I struggle with generalized anxiety disorder. My therapist told me about mindfulness meditation awhile ago. I didn't know what it was and found what said "Christian mindfulness meditation". A woman quotes a Scripture repeatedly during the deep breathing. I've been a Christian for a long time, but I was truly unaware of any danger here. I'd be very interested to learn about this in greater detail. I've looked on the CrossExamined website and so far haven't found anything specific to this. It's not something I want any part of if this is unGodly, but I'll readily admit my ignorance on this subject. Thank you!
@derealratos6332 Says:
Is it okay to eat food as a Christian?
@dee-ix3iq Says:
If meditation is so wrong for you why does it have medical science backing up how it helps you also if was wrong surely it would have no benefits too it
@FortniteOG420 Says:
1:29 The Self does exist, the false Ego self doesn't exist except in our minds
@toddviv Says:
The buddha never spoke of or believed in Gods but there is absolutely nothing wrong with maintaining an awareness of yourself or your thoughts. Its about being mentally healthy
@Conscious.warrior.training Says:
Mindfulness is not about escaping the mind, it is being presently aware of the mind in order to purify the heart. Seeing how the thinking mind comes and goes reveals that it is not ultimate reality. This practice trains one to drop the ego self and the cravings toward the impermanent world, in order to see the ultimate reality of GOD, as stated in Matt. 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
In my path with Jesus Christ I have found that constant mindfulness of the mind is how we follow what he says in Matt 16:24-25, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
Mindfulness of the mind is absolutely taught by our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, because it is the only way we can deny our ego self and choose to follow him.
@redeemedstone Says:
Put on the helmet of salvation…..
Above all else, guard your heart……
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding….
@Kc-gu5er Says:
Hey guys do you think it’s okay to be barefoot on grass and spending time and nature, or just meditation in a sense to clear the head? I find it helps my mental health and doesn’t need to be a non Godly practice. Thoughts?
@wenhamdean Says:
We are saved, our sin is in past if we repented. Jesus says dont worry about tomorrow. Therefore focus on the present moment.
@kevvy22 Says:
When you’re working out and focusing on the work out, that’s a type of mindfulness no. As a Christian I find that focusing on the task at hand stops my mind from racing. Is that not mindfulness
@jojostrillions5770 Says:
I appreciate your video. Thank you 🙏🏽
@lindstheteacher1611 Says:
I do deep breathing while meditating on a Bible verse.
@someone-wd1yn Says:
Die to yourself. That is mindfulness. You life is HIDDEN in Christ, not clearly laid out. Mindfulness brings on into the moment, it stops the intellect from attempting the impossible, to fully comprehend God. Knowing God is not intellectual, it’s relational. Trusting God requires mindfulness; you must step out of the ego self to find the self hidden in Christ. This is the ultimate Martha mindset. Choose the better portion, sit at the feet of Jesus just content to be there sometimes.
@liddlebudder1427 Says:
They have been pushing this at my work where the majority of the staff are Hindu
@gabewhisen3446 Says:
Thank you very helpful information
@shantanupatil1968 Says:
3:09 onwards is the kind of mind-'full'-ness that the world is practicing.
@LeonardoTorresMusic Says:
I feel like this video is saying that we want Christians to be trapped in their mind and continue looking at the world through all of its filters. There is freedom in Truth, a mind that is set is not free. Christianity is failing in this realm. This is why it loses so many followers because it does little to help people heal from all the damage the world has inflicted on the human mind.
@Anton33175 Says:
Asian meditation is a way to escape reality and find a fake sense of peace in the nothingness where the mind is an enemy and external reality are illusory projections. I believe that spreading these practices contributed to having many people today who are not able to deal with reality as it is and are not able to handle disagreements either. There is this approach where you let everything flow and there's no mention of taking responsibility but you can make your own rules and become your own god.
On the other hand, traditional Christian Meditation is the opposite and therefore not compatible. Christian Meditation deals with all aspects of reality through the life of Christ in order to get closer and closer to Him: silence, deep introspection, reflecting on the Word of Christ. While Asian meditation has the purpose to escape reality, Christian Meditation has the purpose to go towards our Lord.
@petermarin Says:
Wait so is it good or is it bad? Also, If bad, what type of prayer/ mediation would you recommend instead of it?
@unhealthyquinoa8333 Says:
Meditate on God's word, not on anything else when meditating. Amen!
@sinclairj7492 Says:
my Apple Watch asks for a minute of mindfulness, is that bad?
@ibperson7765 Says:
As an ex-buddhist and saved Christian, I disagree with many statements in this video.
@ibperson7765 Says:
Best possible meditation is to “Be still and know that I am God” (from Ps. 46.10)
@robertshroyer1322 Says:
Look up the work of Dr Jeffrey Schwartz. Very fascinating.
@antoinegray7741 Says:
I wonder if her past experiences with Buddhism are clouding her perception of mindfulness. I say this because in mindfulness for the purposes of treating mental health issues, the client is to focus on what is actually real and true in their lives. Its the kind of mindfulness that she says she wasn't talking about, not the kind associated with Buddhism
@koshizmusic Says:
This is one of those words I'm trying to help take back. Mindfulness, woke. It doesn't meant what people are told it means. Being mindful is exactly as you described in the beginning of the video. Being woke is being sanctified. In "the culture" nowadays, it means being detached and always on the offensive--literally.
@rpminc1974 Says:
I would say Christians practicing mindfulness is equally on the same level as Christians making videos about what they don’t like about other Christians
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