A Bit About My Passion for Mindfulness & specifically Mindful Christianity

Everyone and anyone paying attention these days realizes what a fast paced world in which we live. What we rarely realize or take into account, however, is the vast impact of stress upon our bodies, minds, hearts, spirits and souls. Stress is a major contributor to most physical and mental health illnesses. Finding healthy ways to manage stress not only improves our physical and mental health, it opens up the possibility for greater and closer connection to a loving God. When we we are contracted physically and/or mentally and emotionally it is very difficult to stay open to the breath of the Spirit much less having the courage to follow where She may lead. It can also be difficult to remember, receive and embody God’s love for us and share that love with others.

Mindfulness is a multi million dollar industry these days. In large part it is booming because people actually find it helpful. Meditation, yoga, the practice of paying attention in the present moment, and building awareness of mindful attitudes are experienced as beneficial to how we live our daily lives. These practices offer a way to experience more peace in our minds, ease in our bodies, and a greater felt sense of our soul and connection to a loving God.

Mindfulness retreat days give us the gift of expanding our practices for longer than the 3, 5, 20, or 45 minute daily or from time-to-time sits we engage. By expanding our practice across several hours we give our nervous systems a tremendous gift of slowing down and building trust that it is OK to actually slow down, ease up, and allow our minds, bodies and souls to rest. Whenever I leave a day or multiple day retreat I feel a peace and ease that I had forgotten possible to experience.

Much of the roots of mindfulness come from the Buddhist tradition. One of the reasons I loved attending divinity school is that I was in class and had the easy opportunity to discuss and learn from classmates and professors from different Christian denominations and world faiths. Even before attending divinity school I knew there was much wisdom to glean from different ways of viewing the world, our connection to the divine, etc. Though the roots of mindfulness may be inherently Buddhist, reading, studying, and practicing mindfulness has taught me a great deal about my Christian faith, my connection to a loving God, and given me more access and a better understanding to Jesus and how to relate to him. Mindfulness has also helped me grow in my capacity to experience the movement of the Holy Spirit and assisted in building strength and courage to follow Her guidance.

I look forward to sharing with whoever is interested the joy of these Mindful Christianity practices!