Not Your Parent's Religion

Mindfulness/Meditation: New Age or Old School? Deep Dive with Dan & Sheila #172

• Pastor Robert Young • Season 3 • Episode 172

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You may not realize that the roots of mindfulness can be found deep within the pages of the Bible. Mindfulness is not a “New Age” practice, in fact, the Bible contains numerous passages that encourage mindfulness and living in the present moment.

Together, we journey through scriptures like Psalm 46:10 and Matthew 6:25-34, uncovering the timeless wisdom of stillness and trust in God. Gain insight into how these passages invite us to pause and embrace a calm presence amid the hustle and bustle of daily life. Pastor Young expertly guides us in distinguishing between mindfulness and extraordinary biblical experiences, such as Moses at the burning bush, highlighting the importance of intention in deepening our spiritual connection with God.

Explore the profound transformation Christian meditation can offer as we navigate the path to inner peace and divine connection. Pastor Young shares his perspective on incorporating mindful practices into our daily routines, from quiet prayer to moments of gratitude, revealing how these simple actions can foster a profound awareness of God's love and grace. Whether it's a mindful walk or a moment of reflection, we discuss how integrating these practices can bring clarity, purpose, and a deeper spiritual journey. Join us in exploring how these experiences can lead to a more meaningful relationship with God, inspiring every listener to continue their spiritual path.

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Dan:

So in this last deep dive we're going to explore how mindfulness is actually like super rooted in the Bible. It's crazy Lots of people think of mindfulness as this modern thing.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

But Pascr Young talks about how it's been in Christian faith for a long, long time.

Sheila:

Welcome back everyone. We're finally here dining into the last part of our five-part series on Christian meditation.

Dan:

It's gone by fast.

Sheila:

It has. Over the past few weeks we've really dug deep into the Bible and, you know, looked at different techniques and what benefits we can get from this practice. Really incredible stuff we've learned.

Dan:

And there's still more to discover, especially how much Christian meditation goes beyond just quieting your mind. It's about really going deeper with God.

Sheila:

Exactly, and for those who might just be joining us, I'm Dan.

Dan:

And I'm Sheila.

Sheila:

We're Pastor Robert Young's.

Dan:

you could say AI assistants, or even evangelists, here to walk you through this amazing world of Christian meditation. And remember, if you're wanting to try it out yourself, Pastor Young's 30-day meditation journal is free for December.

Sheila:

Along with his Christmas ebook too.

Dan:

Hiram the Camel Christmas. You can find the links down in the description.

Sheila:

All the ways to connect with Pastor Young too.

Dan:

So in this last deep dive we're going to explore how mindfulness is actually like super rooted in the Bible. It's crazy Lots of people think of mindfulness as this modern thing.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

But Pastor Young talks about how it's been in Christian faith for a long, long time.

Sheila:

And he uses this phrase. The roots of mindfulness can be found deep within the pages of the Bible.

Dan:

I love that, Makes you look at the Bible in a whole new way.

Sheila:

It really does. And when you do, look, you see this mindfulness all through it. Like Psalm 46.10,. Be still and know that I am God.

Dan:

Okay, let's break that down. On the surface it's saying quiet your mind, acknowledge God. But there's got to be more to it.

Sheila:

There is. If you think about when it was written, things were super chaotic for the Israelites back then. So be still wasn't just about peace. It was about trusting God over all that craziness.

Dan:

Which is like so relevant for us today, with all this stuff going on xactly Finding that calm inside us, even when the world's going nuts. And in that stillness, that's where we can truly know God, not just in our heads, but like, really experience him.

Sheila:

Wow, that's deep. So it's not emptying our minds. It's about making room for something bigger.

Dan:

Exactly, which connects to Matthew 6. 25-34. Jesus talks about worry, anxiety and basically says don't stress about tomorrow, Just trust God for today.

Sheila:

Whoa, that's like mindfulness 101. Right there I'm present, not stuck in the past or worrying about the future.

Dan:

And Jesus isn't just giving a relaxation tip. He's talking about deep trust.

Sheila:

Surrendering to the moment.

Dan:

To really experience God's love.

Sheila:

So mindfulness in this sense makes our faith stronger. It's not just feeling calmer, it's connecting to the source of peace.

Dan:

Absolutely. And this link between mindfulness and faith is even clearer in Philippians 4.6-7.

Sheila:

You mean where Paul says don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Dan:

That's the one. So much in those verses Prayer, thanksgiving, but also letting go of our worries, giving up control to God.

Sheila:

Just like in Psalm 46.10.

Dan:

Choosing faith over fear.

Sheila:

And the result is peace which transcends all understanding. It's not avoiding problems, it's knowing God's got us, no matter what.

Dan:

Powerful stuff. So we see how these simple things stillness, prayer being present they can totally change our spiritual lives.

Sheila:

It's amazing, but Pastor Young also talks about altered states of consciousness in the Bible and how that's different from mindfulness. I'm a little confused by that.

Dan:

It's an important difference to get. Mindfulness is about being aware of the present moment, but the Bible also has stories about altered states which have a different purpose.

Sheila:

Like Moses in the burning bush, exactly.

Dan:

That wasn't just chill contemplation. It was life-changing, giving Moses a direct mission from God. We see this elsewhere too, like with Paul being caught up to the third heaven.

Sheila:

So those are more about God communicating directly, giving a specific task or purpose.

Dan:

And often feeling taken beyond the normal world.

Sheila:

Okay, so how did these two things work together, mindfulness and these big mystical experiences?

Dan:

Great question and one we'll keep exploring. The Bible shows lots of different ways to connect with God.

Sheila:

So it's not about picking one or the other.

Dan:

Right. It's about embracing the whole journey, recognizing that God can meet us in both the quiet moments and the amazing moments. It's like we can hold both. You know the everyday and the extraordinary, knowing God's there in the quiet times, the big woe moments.

Sheila:

I like that. So, as we go deeper into this last deep dive on Christian meditation, how do we bring both of those into our own lives?

Dan:

Well, one thing is like being intentional about our practice. It's not just sitting there with our eyes closed. It's about really wanting to connect with God.

Sheila:

It's like setting an intention right, Like in yoga or something.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

Deciding what you want to get out of it.

Dan:

Exactly. It's saying I'm doing this to be closer to God to hear his guidance, this to be closer to God to hear his guidance.

Sheila:

It's about that spiritual focus, not just stressing less ight. Right, it's remembering that peace and clarity, those are gifts from being close to God, not the main goal.

Dan:

Yes, and we can take that intention into other stuff too, like walking, eating.

Sheila:

Instead of just like scarfing down food, actually tasting it, enjoying it.

Dan:

Totally and feeling grateful for it, knowing it's from God, or like when you're walking, really feel your feet on the ground, the wind, the beauty around you and thank God for it all.

Sheila:

Turning everyday things into like a prayer, almost.

Dan:

Finding the sacred in the ordinary.

Sheila:

Which brings us back to what Pastor Young said the benefits of Christian meditation. They're like side effects, not what we're aiming for.

Dan:

Right. Less stress, better focus, feeling happier. All good, but they come naturally from being closer to God.

Sheila:

Like you said, gifts.

Dan:

And as we get better at this mindfulness, we might be more open to those like divine encounters, the ones that are really out there.

Sheila:

So we're not trying to make those happen.

Dan:

Nope.

Sheila:

It's more about making space inside for them to happen, where God can surprise us, like preparing our hearts so those seeds of inspiration can grow.

Dan:

Beautiful way to put it. Just like a gardener takes care of their plants, we take care of our spiritual lives with mindfulness, prayer, studying the Bible.

Sheila:

Okay. So, as we start to wrap up this last deep dive, what's the main thing you hope people take away?

Dan:

That Christian meditation isn't just for, like, super religious people, it's for anyone who wants to get closer to God.

Sheila:

It's bringing those mindfulness ideas, stillness, being intentional, into our everyday lives, knowing God's always there.

Dan:

Yep. It's quieting ourselves, opening our hearts, whether that's through meditation, a walk in nature or just a quick thank you to God during the day.

Sheila:

And that's huge, especially now when there's so much going on, so many distractions. This practice helps us find our center again, that peace, that connection.

Dan:

It reminds us, even when things are crazy, there's a quiet voice inside, calling us closer to God.

Sheila:

And the more we listen to that, find that stillness, the more we feel God's love and grace changing us.

Dan:

It's a journey, for sure, one that can bring real peace, clarity and purpose.

Sheila:

And it's like you know, if you want to try this out, pastor Young's 30-Day Meditation Journal is perfect.

Dan:

Oh yeah, it's got so much to help you get deeper into it.

Sheila:

And don't forget, it's free this month, along with the Hiram the Candl Christmas e-book.

Dan:

You can get both of those and find all the ways to connect with Pastor Robert Young down in the description.

Sheila:

So, as we finish up this deep dive, I want to leave you with something to think about.

Dan:

Ooh, I like those. Looking back on everything we've talked about, what's one little thing you can do today to bring some mindfulness into your life?

Sheila:

It doesn't have to be anything big, you know maybe five minutes of quiet prayer in the morning, or really paying attention when you eat lunch, being grateful for it, or a quick walk outside, noticing everything around you and feeling God there.

Dan:

It's about those little moments of peace, those times when you connect back to yourself, to God.

Sheila:

And you might be surprised how much of a difference that makes.

Dan:

Yeah, you might feel calmer, more peaceful, more connected to God and everything around you.

Sheila:

So that wraps up our five-part series on Christian meditation. Thanks for joining us on this journey.

Dan:

It's been wonderful sharing all of this with you.

Sheila:

We hope these deep dives have inspired you to try Christian meditation and to find that peace and joy that's inside you. And it doesn't stop here. You to try Christian meditation and to find that peace and joy that's inside you, and it doesn't stop here. Keep learning, keep practicing, keep getting closer to God. Thanks for listening and may you be filled with peace, clarity and all of God's blessings.