Mindfulness Meditation- What’s the Buzz?
A Buddhist form of meditation called “mindfulness meditation” has taken the mental health field by storm.
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It has produced many well-documented positive effects and has been basically touted as a panacea for most psychological ills. In terms of popularity and buzz, mindfulness is to mental health what organic coconut water is to physical health—a somewhat good thing promoted as a cure-all. Some think, “What’s the harm? It has documented positive effects, and at the very least it’s harmless.”
But is it? Relatively little has been said about its adverse effects, but good science and responsible living demand that we examine the whole picture. Fortunately, a study has now emerged that inserts one dissonant note into the otherwise unison chorus of praise for mindfulness meditation.
Definition of Mindfulness
Before quoting the study, let me define mindfulness and mindfulness meditation:
Mindfulness is the practice of self-awareness, of being “in the moment” rather than letting the thoughts take us elsewhere. When we are mindful, we observe our thoughts and feelings in a detached, non-judgmental way.
Mindfulness meditation involves breathing and relaxation, while clearing the mind of cluttered thoughts and focusing on the breath. It induces a trance-like state that often brings at least temporary relief from suffering.
“Mindfulness” was translated from the Sanskrit word smrti, which means “to remember” and refers to remembering the dhammas, or teachings of Buddhism. The student of smrti uses this form of meditation to detach from this world and enter “the stream” which leads to Nirvana, a state of freedom from desire and its consequence, suffering. One doesn’t need to dig very deep to discover error here because Buddhism, like all world religions except the biblical Christianity, crafts an elaborate method of salvation through self-effort.
As Buddhist mindfulness has become a mainstream practice used in clinical and therapeutic settings, it has lost its religious overtones while retaining its core purpose of detachment from reality, in particular suffering.
Pros and Cons of Detachment
And who wouldn’t want to detach from the difficult aspects of life? All have diversions that put a distance between ourselves and our suffering for at least a short space of time. But apparently detachment works like any other good thing—some helps, but too much can harm. Even water taken in sufficient quantities is a poison.
The study, published in January in The Journal of Counseling and Development, says:
“Adverse effects were reported in three major domains: intrapersonal (e.g., increased negativity, disorientation, addiction to meditation, boredom, pain), interpersonal (e.g., family conflicts, more judgmental), and societal effects (e.g., increased alienation, discomfort with the real world). It is interesting to note that respondents with the longest meditation practice history reported the highest rate of adverse effects at each time point.”1
Contrasting Buddhist and Biblical Meditation
Is there a type of meditation that provides the benefits of mindfulness meditation without the adverse effects cited in this study such as negativity, boredom and alienation? I think so. It’s meditating on the Word of God. “Oh, how I love your law!” David exclaimed, “It is my meditation all the day,” (Ps. 119:97).
Let’s compare and contrast these two approaches:
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Rather than emptying the mind, biblical meditation fills the mind with spiritual truth. “You should keep your mind filled with the precious promises of God,” Ellen White counseled us, “As Christians we do not make half enough of the promises, for God will never fail in any good thing which he has promised. We should take these promises singly, view them critically in all their richness, meditate upon them until the soul is burdened with their greatness, and delighted with their strength and power.” 2 Notice she is not recommending a Bible study that jumps from line to line here, but rather a focusing on one point at a time, taking the promises “singly.” In this way we receive the benefit of quieting and focusing the mind without the risk of emptying the mind.
Rather than detach us from all desire, biblical meditation refines and redirects our desires. “A new heart also will I give you,” God promises, “And a new spirit will I put within you. And I will take away the stoney heart out of your flesh. And I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statues. And you will keep my judgments, and do them,” (Ezekiel 36:26 and 27).
Rather than merely detaching from my suffering, biblical meditation attaches me to Christ. God, the ultimate social being, created us in His image. We can’t experience fulfillment apart from relationship. Worldly meditation can lead to withdrawal from relationships, but biblical meditation will connect us to God and ultimately lead to healthier relationships with people.
Through a walk with Jesus we enjoy the positive aspects of mindfulness without the negative aspects. Through meditating upon His Word, we look toward a better world where suffering will end for once and for all.
If you appreciate Jennifer’s thoughts here, you will certainly enjoy the insights in her books available on Amazon – some in Kindle format, others in hardback. Check them out!
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Thanks Jennifer for addressing this important issue. The eroding of the religious connections of mindfulness is akin to the adoption of yoga into mainstream physical therapy. These practices which are steeped in Eastern mysticism have found favour amongst even Adventists.
Yes there will be some benefits derived from them but we must remain cognisant of the significant harm often accompanying their practice.
The spirit of prophecy does warn us of these mystic practices and I certainly have anecdotally observed the spiral of decline into further depression in some of my patients who favour these practices.
Hi Jennifer,
Nice to see you writing a post again. Great topic and it's talked about much in the mental health field as well as in the food/nutrition/health field, in various ways. One health advocate has a new album, "Self-Care for Busy People, Digital Meditation Album". I do respect these people who have helped others regain their health as well as a healthy perspective on life. However, meditation, psychology, philosophy, and other modes of thinking cannot accomplish in the heart the healing and peace that the scriptures can and will.
I so appreciate your emphasis on "keeping your mind filled with the precious promises of God". This is what I am doing more and more.
Scripture songs are helpful for this purpose also.
Truly, I agree, "Through meditating upon His Word, we look toward a better world where suffering will end for once and for all." This is our goal since we are pilgrims on this earth. I see so many of us, God's people, suffering more and more as we see the day approaching, and the devil is a roaring lion trying to get us to give up our faith. We all need to hang on to our faith and never give it up. Thank you very much Jennifer for an insightful post.
Thanks, Jane, for your feedback.
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E X C E L L E N T article and observations on 'MM'! VERY, very important indeed as many accept these practices as a healthy therapy. One must research their deceitful background, just as you have presented it here. Thank you Jennifer Schwirzer. God bless.
Thanks Jennifer for your post. Just wanted to know the contrast between this type of meditation you're highlighting and the transcendental meditation. Thanks
Simeon,
Regarding Transcendental meditation, which I practiced for two years before I became a Christian, Jennifer can tell you more of the theory.
We were given a two syllable "mantra", and that was repeated over and over in your mind, while sitting quietly, for 20 minutes or more. I found the practice didn't help me in the least and am so very grateful to have God in my life, with prayer, song and Bible study which has truly transformed my life.
From what I know, mindfulness meditation focuses on the breath and transcendental meditation focuses on a mantra, a word said over and over in the mind.
Thank you, Jennifer, for your observations and for passing along the new research. I remember suggestions similar to your description of mindfullness meditation when talking with a coworker in neuropsychology about Alpha-wave optimization. The basic idea was first uncritically observing and then intentionally not dwelling on any thought. I can see how such a habit, well-developed, could lead to impulsivity rather than self-control, as the lower nature is allowed to "do its own thing" without any attempt at conscious control. In other words, is this training oneself to still the voice of conscience?
Also, I'm curious. Do you know of any research done on the effects of Christian prayer on brain function or any of the three domains mentioned in the Journal reference?
Thanks, John. That's an interesting angle. It's true that non-judgmental self-observation is the bedrock of mindfulness. The problem is, people quickly develop secondary disturbance, where they see their anxiety or anger or whatever, and either judge themselves for it, as in, "You shouldn't be afraid," or catastrophize the feeling, as in, "This fear will kill you." Helping them accept their feelings can be a first step in changing them. But you're right that taken too far this could lead to ignoring conscience. Fortunately, there's a biblical form of acceptance of, and detachment from, the unwanted feelings and impulses of the flesh. Paul said, "It is no longer I, but sin that dwells in me." He dissociated from his sin because He'd chosen to trust in Jesus. This biblical approach gives the benefits of mindfulness without the dangers in my opinion.
Thank you for this message! God truly does supply all of our needs. Two things were revealed to me through your message. The first was that I have so many things going on that my mind is always racing so, I was considering meditation as a way to clear my mind FROM 'worldly' things. This article was God's way of warning me. So thank Jennifer for being a vessel for the Lord. The second thing, God revealed to me that I was already doing the latter and didn't know it. I would read a scripture or scriptures right before bed and as I began to fall asleep there's a brief moment where nothing else was in focus except those scriptures. Now the reason I thought about meditation in the first place was because I would wake up in the middle of the night and my mind would go from 0-60 in minutes and wouldn't allow me to go back to sleep. But when I read the word right before bed...I still would wake up in the middle of the night but I would awake to clarity. A clear vision of the scripture that I read before I went to sleep. This message clears things up. I'm going to meditate in the word and I believe God will give me the rest that I need. Thanks Jennifer great piece.
Stephen, I'm so glad my article could come at this crucial time in your life. May God fix your mind on His word and give you peace.
Stephen, your experience somewhat parallels mine, in that I have also found Scripture to rest my troubled mind at night. When I've been awakened from a bad dream or my thoughts wander to problems or disturbing thoughts, I've found that reciting mentally Bible passages I've memorized, has always helped. Sometimes I go through quite a few verses and there's a blessing in that. More often I get through only a few and wake up later, realizing that I had fallen back to sleep rather quickly, a blessing that way, too.
Some additional information is available at www.greatergood.berkeley.edu
This site's front page currently has some interviews regarding the Ford Motor Company's efforts to bring "mindfulness" into their work ethic. Other articles can be found on the site by entering "mindfulness meditation" into the search bar on the site's front page.
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It is worth bearing in mind, I think, that a "harlot" makes herself attractive to a certain kind of person. In various ways the Devil is bringing many attractive devices to the world... these can be made to look and sound really good!
Thanks Stewart. Spiritualism is amorphous, entering our educational, medical, and even governmental systems!
Thank you Jennie, 23 years ago I went through a bitter separation/divorce. I came across this book The art of transcendental meditation. So I start to read and it was a disaster. because it was taking me into dark places that I should not go.Luckily i picked up the bible and my thoughts and mind was at eased and I felt as I was in the presence of Jesus.
Great testimony, Ronald. Close call!
I didn't realize I was doing what I should. I usually listen to scripture songs before going to bed, and it helps me to sleep.
I started listening when my wife died, but it was hit and miss at best.
Thank you for this article, it strengthens my resolve to do it more.
God bless you.
Thank you Jennifer. These are the last days and error has become so hard to separate from truth. The devil will come in such a 'grey' manner to the extent that, "if it were possible, even the very elect shall be deceived" - Matthew 24:24.
Hallo Jennifer! I have heard of Spiritual Formation but don't really know what it is about, except that there is much concern that some of our leaders have been to non-Adventist institutions or seminars to study about it. Is it the same as meditation?
Maureen, What has unfortunately been labeled as "spiritual formation" (unfortunate because we all need spiritual formation, as in spiritual growth), is eastern mysticism, or essentially spiritualism, in Christian garb. I'd say the emphasis of it is an emphasis on experiencing God's presence. There's nothing wrong with that, except that there's a corresponding de-emphasis on the truths of His Word. So once we lose our foundation of biblical truth, spirituality can take us anywhere.
In my experience at least some of the reports of our schools teaching mysticism are false. It's more like classes require the reading of books with some content of a mystical nature, but this isn't being endorsed, and in most cases the books are being read for other reasons. There has been probably a grain of truth, but then a lot of paranoia about spiritual formation in our schools in my opinion.
thanks for the explanation - and I agree with you that Satan is making us paranoid about things which prove totally understandable when we take the trouble to find out more. For instance, I would show a group of young people the Disney movie "Hercules" ..... not for entertainment but for them to expose Satan's lies for themselves. We need to know the enemy to protect ourselves!
I was once so admiring of so many books written by a Buddhist monk. I felt like the books were so full of wisdom and good for building up good ethic. But my view changed after I finished reading the whole Bible in 2014. Bible contains lessons, examples, promises and blessings. I personally encourage each and every one to spend more times reading God's words - words of the living God who is the Creator of all. He knows best for all of us (physically, mentally, spiritually)as our Creator.
Great story, Thawda!
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As an introverted academic, I have spent most of my life thinking through and solving problems, designing algorithms and developing abstract concepts. It takes some fairly intense thought processes and required concentration sustained over a long period of time.
So I find it interesting that "mindfulness meditation" suddenly becomes a marketable entity mixed up with a lot of buzz-words to make it sound authentic. The point is that in both our spiritual and secular lives, careful thinking and focused problem solving is not only productive but therapeutic as well. I do not think that we need the sort of quasi-religious mind activity that is so often promoted as necessary for spiritual development. God has given us so many good things to think about that we should be able to occupy our minds for eternity.
Having said all that let me share the importance of giving your mind a rest. I learned long ago that the Sabbath was a special blessing. After spending the whole week working on serious computer science problems I would often arrive at Friday evening with a problem still unsolved. But Friday evening was the time to give my tired brain a rest and to worship instead. I think that God must have a sense of humor because on several occasions a solution to my problems would pop into my head while the sermon was being preached on Sabbath. I'm not going to try and explain the phenomenon by psychobabble but I thank God that he gave us the Sabbath to rest our brains from the work of the week.
Maurice,
It is a delight to see how rest and the Sabbath rest means much to you. The word Sabbath means rest and true rest is freedom from self and anxiety and I think we learn that best in relationship with the Lord and not with meditation of any kind. The weekly Sabbath gives us an opportunity to experience that rest one full day a week. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Maurice,
You're so right that focusing as a whole can be therapeutic. People who have difficulty focusing are typically more anxious and depressed. But yes, the forebrain needs rest too! Great post thanks.
Thank you so much for the information. It is the most helpful analysis I have seen.
As a member of the state Bar Association I find it interesting that this topic is now ok for both the Bar Journal and continuing education classes. The Bar president a few years thought it was great and now any lawyer in the state can satisfy part of the required annual training hours with a class on this type of thing. I don't think they would give Christian lifestyle practices the same credit.
We need to be well versed in truth and thus better aware of error
Blessings
Eastern mysticism is amorphous throughout the educational, medical and now legal system. Spiritualism seeps in places where more defined belief systems could never go! Thank God for the Bible.