Spiritual Journey Thursday - Mindfulness and Meditation

     Thank you, friends, for linking up last Thursday!  I loved reading your insights about the word "capacious" and other thoughts about your spiritual journeys.  I look forward to what you have to say and share this week.

     My mom texted me today that Katie Couric was doing a show on mindfulness and meditation.  I've been thinking about these concepts for awhile, but mostly lately since I started doing yoga.  I wrote a Slice of Life post about the hilarity of my first yoga class!  However, despite the awkwardness of the whole thing, I was intrigued by the meditation aspect and how it made me feel.

     I am not good at mindfulness.  I catch myself not being fully present and not particularly paying attention to the now often.  Lots of things are running through my head like to-do lists, ideas, over-thinking things.  I'm not really a worrier, but I don't always attend to my present surroundings or keep my mind quiet.  It makes me feel like time is flying by, and I'm missing it.  I want to make myself more conscious.  I believe God asks us to do this explicitly.  I think some people think of mindfulness and meditation as "New Age-y."  I don't think they are contradictory to a Christian life.  We can only hear God if we are mindful of Him.  He can only speak to us if we are quiet and present.  I looked for scriptures that speak to mindfulness:

Set your mind on the things above, not earthly things. - Col 3:2)

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. - Romans 8:6

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2

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. - Philippians 4:8

He says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

- Psalm 46:10

     Now, WHY is it SO hard?  Things are pulling us in so many directions.  My mom said that regular meditation is helping her prayer life.  I don't doubt it!  It must!  How else is God going to find His way in if we don't stop and listen?

     So today, if you'd like, write about your thoughts on mindfulness and meditation.  What strategies do you use to SLOW DOWN and be quiet/mindful?  I could use some ideas! ;-)  Of course, if you'd rather write about something else, please do.

     Katie Couric's segment on mindfulness:

     Link to another segment on how a teacher used mindfulness and meditation to help kids in need:
http://katiecouric.com/videos/how-the-mindful-life-project-is-impacting-kids-in-need/