FINALLY WE COME TO THE MAGIC QUESTION
What is “mindfulness”?
It seems to be “the practice of purposefully being present in the moment.”
Hmmmm….okay; I thought I was doing this already. I wasn’t aware it might be the magic of “mindfulness” in its earliest stages.
But hey everyone; isn’t this just a normal, natural trait that belongs to every intelligent human being?
According to the magazine it isn’t.
It is a lost art that must be found again.
I guess I forgot to forget. Or maybe I’ve just been extremely talented all along and just didn’t realize it.
MEDICAL RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE
Then we are told about a group of patients who meditated while receiving treatment for their illnesses vs. patients who did not meditate while being treated. Those who DID meditate healed four times faster.
Of course, they had not yet explained that their definition of “mindfulness” included meditation; but here was the evidence.
They mentioned both practices (mindfulness and meditation) in the same sentence and the same breath; like the two are an inseparable team that always works together.
And this they said; was a medical breakthrough.
RETRAINING THE BRAIN
Mindfulness is then described as a way to retrain your brain.
It is noted that “mindfulness” is NOT a religious or spiritual practice.
The experts here explain that “mindfulness” does not mean the absence of thoughts or feelings and it doesn’t necessarily involve exercise or yoga (though those things can work with it.) I got this vision of the girl on the magazine cover in her yoga pose all over again but the double-speak is that yoga doesn’t have to be associated with the practice of mindfulness. Oh….I see.
So they say it is more about dropping-in than dropping-out and more about changing your relationship with your thoughts and how you react to them. (I was now remembering the lyrics to an old song: “I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.”)
The basic idea is to approach every moment without preconception, as though it is a new experience every time.
The comedian in my brain immediately took over. I imagined this approach to using the bathroom, taking out the trash, drowning, dying, accidentally swallowing bugs while you are walking, etc. I had to take a laugh break.
This stuff was really cheering me up if nothing else. I was feeling so amused and I had not even engaged in one bit of technology to do so!
Getting back to being serious; there are some scientific evidences given that speak of what has been learned by studying the changes that go on inside the brain and how the different parts of the brain interact with one another. It seems these pathways have to be used and not ignored to stay open and active.
This is all very interesting; but the actual ACT of mindfulness isn’t totally explained yet.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
The article goes on to ask some leading questions such as; do you ever feel overwhelmed?
Do you eat when you are not hungry?
Are you forgetful when you feel anxious?
Do you avoid dealing with problems?
Are you uncomfortable with your thoughts and feelings? Etc.
Then; they say practicing “mindfulness” might be helpful to you.
BUT you STILL are not exactly sure WHAT this practice is.
You STILL are not sure how to go about it.
The next article goes on to explore the physical changes that can occur in a brain. This is all very interesting; but STILL we are not exactly sure what this practice of mindfulness actually is that they are tracking their evidence from.
A VERY TELLING HISTORY LESSON
Next we go into the history behind mindfulness.
We trek all the way back to 2700 BCE where we find the oldest historical evidence found for yoga, though it may have existed thousands of years earlier. We are told in this history lesson that yoga explores the beneficial links between the mental and the physical.
(So much for the fact that you do not necessarily have to involve yoga – it goes back to the oldest history lesson that we have. I smell a rat.)
In 2000 BCE we hear of the beginning of Hinduism, a religion that places an emphasis on contemplative practices and meditation – a significant influence in shaping the mindfulness revolution.
(So much for mindfulness not being a religious practice – but that is what we were told in the very first article. I smell that rat again.)
Then we move on in the given chart to 600 BCE which speaks about the birth of Lao Tsu who is the celebrated first philosopher of Daoism, a Chinese belief system concerned with how people connect with others and the world around them. Daoism seems to share values with the modern-day form of “mindfulness.”
(Doesn’t this sound a bit pagan to you?)
So we move on in the chart to 500 BCE with the birth of Buddha. Buddhism’s emphasis on sati (memory of the present) as a Factor of Enlightenment would become an inspiration for practitioners of “mindfulness.”
(I guess Buddhism isn’t a religion either? The rat is stinking a lot more now.)
MORE MODERN HISTORY
The chart then goes on to 1881 when a Brit named Thomas William Rhys Davids who founded the British Academy and London School for Oriental Studies came to use the term “mindfulness” to articulate his concepts.
Then we come to 1979; a time which I remember well. Jon Kabat-Zinn was first introduced to Buddhism as a student at MIT and he founded the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He is now credited with introducing “mindfulness” to the United States.
Ah Ha! So he was the very first zin-master!
(Can I say again that he was involved with the practice of Buddhism? If it looks like a rat, and it smells like a rat….???) Let me be nicer with this comment. I do not wish to offend my friends who are Buddhist; but my quest was to prove out whether these practices were Christian or not. So I will rephrase my comment to say; if it looks like it is Buddhist, and it smells like it is Buddhist; is it not?
In our next history lesson we come to the 1980’s – a time I am even more “mindful” about. This was the time that the medical mainstream began to accept “mindfulness” as a clinically proven method for reducing stress and chronic pain.
Well; okay….
Moving right along to the time of 1995.
In 1995 hundreds of hospitals began to teach a stress reduction training program based on “mindfulness.”
In 2006 Janice Marturano offered General Mills their first class on mindfulness and it quickly grew into a popular class at their company.
(If you want to know the truth about something; follow the money.)
In 2007 Google began offering the “mindfulness” class called “Search Inside Your-self,” which today has thousands of alumni. Hmmmm…….
I read a Google article which I will provide the link to about the man who works at Google who started this class. Here is the link: https://tricycle.org/magazine/buddha-googleplex/; you decide what you think. Is this a Christian practice or a Buddhist practice? That was the only answer I was seeking out here; but my eyes were opened to many other things in the process. My fears of mindfulness were increasing.
MINDFULNESS OR MIND-CONTROL?
Then came 2013 when a presentation on mindful leadership was given at The World Economic forum in Davos, Switzerland.
(Why not REALLY go where the money is?)
At this point – past mid-way of the magazine we still are not quite sure of EXACTLY what this practice is; but we are sure it has a history and it has spread like the measles into our daily lives thorough hospitals, research, large corporations and think-tanks like Google. Heck, it even made it all the way to Switzerland! It has to be effective.
Right?
The next article gives us a few more clues about “mindfulness” by explaining to us what “mindfulness” is NOT.
I quote here” “mindfulness means actually examining what you’re doing, not just doing it because it’s what you’ve always done.” Well; that sounds pretty much like that old-fashioned use of common sense; doesn’t it?
A rose by any other name….
Then we hear that mindfulness is about “being present in the moment.”
Yes; again that sounds a lot like common sense to me. I have no problem with people being present in ANY moment. It is always better. Physically you can’t really escape; so why not be there mentally?
My strange mind reverts back to humorous thoughts. Have you ever seen the movie called “Being There?” If not; you must! You will laugh your head off at the strangeness of human nature.
So getting serious again; we go on to hear that mindfulness is about paying attention and connecting with the world around you. I can surely see how that would be important. I think I’ve been doing that naturally for over sixty years already; I didn’t know it was “mindfulness” though!
I wonder if we could invent the term “natural mindfulness” after the market wears thin on plain old “mindfulness”? I’d better patent that quickly because I guarantee you someone will be teaching my idea next week.
Those greedy non-corporate criminals!
IS MINDFULNESS A FORM OF ESCAPE?
We are finally told that another aspect of “mindfulness” means “connecting with the world around you and not shutting down to escape from it.”
I can see where this might really matter in certain circumstances; but once again; I think I’ve already mastered that part of life without labeling it “mindfulness.”
This article speaks of people who are more aware of what is going on with their tv shows than their family members. I can certainly agree that this is an unhealthy practice and that it is very mindless to live life in such a way.
My theory would be to turn off the television; but the experts writing the articles for the public seem to think that more “mindfulness” might help.
In the next article we are informed that what starts within us can change the world!
Imagine that!
I’m sorry to be so sarcastic; but I haven’t been completely won over yet. I’m not so sure that this thing called “mindfulness” actually works; but that is the very next line they use; “Mindfulness works!” My total ignorance has been proven again.
WHERE IS JESUS?
On top of the fact that we are told that it works; we are also informed that it works from the “inside out.” Now that is my own personal blog theme – “living life inside out and upside down”; but somehow I don’t think the two concepts really go together. I patterned my theme after the actions of the life of Jesus. I’ve not read His name once in all of this reading about mindfulness.
Next we are informed that “mindfulness” alters the way you respond to your emotions and limits their ability to control your thinking.
So let me get this straight; we are using mind-control to limit our mind-control?
I’m not sure I quite understand the concept.
Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?
ALL YOU NEED IS A LITTLE MORE TRAINING
You get smack dab in the middle of reading this magazine that is full of articles explaining “mindfulness” without telling you what it is; then you discover that your training in mindfulness has now begun with this very reading.
Thanks for the warning!
DISCOVERY
Five journeys are now suddenly all mapped out for you.
Each journey is another layer of the onion.
Journey number one is about discovery.
I think we have already begun that journey by reading the magazine.
FOCUS
Journey number two is about focus.
There are several ways that you can focus on mindfulness. These include: mindful exercises, eating, yoga, meditation and even drug use.
Okay – I’m going to refrain from repeating myself here. You can guess what I would say at this point? I’ll give you one hint – they SAID you didn’t need to do yoga or meditate to practice mindfulness. They keep saying that over and over; but the evidence points elsewhere.
RETHINKING YOURSELF
Journey three teaches you to “rethink yourself.”
They explain to you that you can overcome your faults, such as addictions and weight gain and other flaws in your personality and character by an altered relation to loss, sadness and change.
You can study how to overcome self-imposed limitations by unblocking your direct perception of reality.
(So this isn’t altering your mind at all???? Please give me a break – I’m one of those people that accepts reality and doesn’t try to block it out. I actually WANT to perceive truth and accuracy; even if it hurts. I guess I’m just wired that way; but really, why would I want to lie to myself??????)
IMPROVE YOUR INFLUENCE
Journey four helps you to improve your influence.
This part of the journey speaks about improving your relationship with others and boosting your ability to communicate, defuse pent-up tensions and explains how to have increased intimacy with your romantic partner – better sex!
Doesn’t every road go here eventually? (Come on…..tell me the truth; does this not translate to learning how to manipulate others?)
Is that godly?
I think not.
Another perception of this is that it is a very SELFISH act.
There is nothing kind or giving about making people do what you desire because you have learned how to tap into what makes them tick. That is manipulation; and that is mind-control.
Now there is more than one rat in the room; maybe an army of them and they are all running all over the world because this stuff is gaining ground and becoming so very popular.
The real killer for me was the line where they actually came out and said “You’ll gain insight into refocusing on your real life goals to get more of what you really want, instead of what you’ve been conditioned to think you want.”
How do they know what you have been conditioned to think? Are they not trying to condition your thinking too? This is hogwash!
CHANGE YOUR WORLD
Journey five helps you to change your world.
Tell the truth here please.
Is your world really so bad?
Really?
Take a good look while you can still think for yourself. Can you not see some blessings and goodness in your less-than-perfect life without having your mind altered?
A SLOW ACCUMULATION OF MIND-CONTROLLING “TECHNIQUES”
These journeys are about accumulating some people’s thoughts on the layers of “mindfulness.”
They accumulate one on top of each other until you have the whole concept of deception.
I suddenly get this picture in my brain of a frog sitting in a pan of water where the heat is slowly being turned up and he is gradually being boiled to death without noticing a thing because he is being “conditioned” to be comfortable in an uncomfortable situation and circumstance. This is the summary of my vision of all of the above comments about “mindfulness.” It is about becoming someone who can’t think for themselves; someone who depends on others and their ideas and techniques to get through life and to make life decisions. It isn’t about using your mind at all; it is about giving your mind over to others and following their concepts and preconceived ideas.
BRAIN WASHING TECHNIQUES
Most deceptive patterns work better if they are step-by-step and implemented slowly.
This is how people are brain-washed.
Here in a shiny little magazine about “mindfulness” they are going to profile the world for you.
I guess your mind is already busy and they want to think it through for you.
Are you no longer qualified to do this for yourself?
What has happened to your mind’s ability to make decisions?
Doesn’t that matter to you?
Do I sense a hint of brainwashing here too?
Must your vision of what the world is not become the same as their vision?
How do you know their vision is right for you; or the world for that matter?
ANOTHER QUIET SNEAKY WAY TO CHANGE SOCIETY’S CONCEPTS INTO DIFFERENT CONCEPTS
Now they are going to explain to you their ideas and concepts about maintaining a better society than we presently have.
Did you even see that train coming?
I suddenly feel like I’ve come face to face with a George Orwell novel. They want you to learn their “mindful group behavior” so it will help you to control the chaos of the 21st century.
Better stop right here and look behind the curtain. That Wizzard; he isn’t real!
Wake up Dorothy and go back home to Kansas.
You’ve merely lost your way.
I’M GETTING A BIT UNCOMFORTABLE
You better be putting your faith in something more than these greedy, ambitious, men’s thoughts. This reading and research is getting to be pretty scary from my own personal point of view.
I had enjoyed the state of not knowing that these types of thoughts and concepts were floating around in the brains of the present generation. Mostly because of the fact that I do have grown children that are out there trying to raise my grandchildren.
Having lived through a similar movement back in the seventies; to me this feels like moving backwards instead of forward.
REMEMBER THE STORY OF THE PIED PIPER?
Now with my “more-opened” and “more-educated” eyes; I’m beginning to see huge groups of brainwashed individuals marching to the beat of an elite society’s drum.
Excuse me; I live here.
I DO care.
I keep hearing that ticktock noise for some reason. Anyone seen a Harlequin running around doing crazy things; messing up the system? These people are surely after him for repentance.
How easily we are deceived; and we volunteer our minds and hearts and souls to do the devils work because we have put our whole faith into the flawed hands of mankind and our own thinking instead of turning to The God of The Universe for our help and our survival.
Stop worrying about your mind people – see this deception and find your knees.
Find your heart first and your mind will begin to show up.
We need prayers to be going up to help those who are weak. They will all be run over and run down by this quick-growing concept of “mindfulness” which in the end amounts to mind-altering and mind-controlling.
ARE WE TOO LATE WITH THE TRUTH?
By the time most of the blissfully ignorant of our current culture discover the truth; it will be way too late. The damage will be done. They are even using our own words and heroes against us. We will never regain the freedom that we once enjoyed if we let this continue.
The next article of the pretty little magazine is titled C-E-OM: The Corporate Case for Mindfulness.
It is honestly all about how large corporations and organizations are offering to train their employees in mindfulness. Some of these corporations setting aside space for their employees to take time outs and explore the wonders of mindfulness are Google, Goldman Sachs, The National Institute of Health and the NFL. (That explains a lot to me.)
IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD START WITH THE WORK PLACE
Now there is a teaching from an engineer from Google that is spreading to Ford, Comcast, American Express and it has been used by NFL coaches such as Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks and Michael Gervais is an expert who has been hired to guide players on how to use mindfulness on and off the field.
The once Vice President of Public Responsibility at General Mills left her post to write and to found The Institute for Mindful Leadership. Her clients have been Honeywell, Intel, The American Red Cross, City Harvest, Duke University, The Brookings Institute, Bain Capital, The Centers for Disease Control, The World Economic Forum and The U.S. Army and Air Force.
Everywhere you look conferences on mindfulness are being sponsored and led by the world’s most elite and famous.
Wake up!
Smell the coffee people!
A FORCE TO RECKON WITH IN DAILY LIFE
They are all trying to incorporate the focus of “mindfulness” into our businesses and our daily and personal lives. Soon it will be a touted practice that your employer will force upon you. Many of these conferences are coupled with meditation practices and yoga.
If you water down Christianity and dilute it with other religious practices; will it completely go away? This seems to be an unspoken agenda.
Mindfulness is spreading like a disease threatening to brainwash our children and grandchildren into submissive thinkers who incorporate the thoughts, concepts and ideas of huge money-making corporations.
Wasn’t this what we all were against when we first stumbled into this concept?
What happened during the time in the middle?
Did we swallow poison without even realizing what was happening?
When you were a little kid and your Mom was going to get you to take castor oil in a spoon; did she smile and tell you it would taste like bubble-gum?
Are we not as gullible in society today as a common four or five-year old?
What has happened to our education about real life?
How is it that we are all intelligent human beings but we can be so easily lead and deceived?
Could it be the lack of the teachings of Christian concepts?
I’m appalled to find this out.
Before this research; I simply had a feeling of uneasiness; now I fear for the future; and the beautifully illustrated magazine was presenting this concept as if it were the grandest most exciting event in world history.
If you want to control people’s minds; get them at the grocery store, the community school, the local churches and the work place.
WHAT IS REAL FOCUS AND WHAT IS REAL MEDITATION?
As we continue to learn of this evolving movement we hear them explaining to us that focus and meditation are not exactly the same thing.
Focus is a skill, but meditation is a form of training to hone that skill. The activists for mindfulness say that the two combined can awaken your heart and your mind.
It is then noted that mindfulness-meditation can actually rewire your brain.
When your brain is “rewired” it is then capable of absorbing more of the information that surrounds you.
I have to interject here that there is a lot of my surroundings that I DO NOT want to absorb. That is actually part of the point being made by writing this article.
I am a Christian. God has not commanded me to absorb the world; but to come out of it. I am to live with the mindset of Christ; not conform to the conditions around me.
It isn’t that my brain needs rewiring; it IS that my brain has chosen to ignore certain things that I consider taboo and not acceptable for my thoughts. This is healthy; not un-healthy as these mindfulness instructor might have you to believe.
WHAT WAS ONCE UNACCEPTABLE BECOMES ACCEPTABLE
In the end; with the practice of mindfulness, it seems and we are advised that your brain could be so altered that what had previously seemed unacceptable would now become acceptable.
No thank you. I really don’t need this type of focus.
My feeble, natural and unmindful mind (in their definition) recalls a scripture found in Isaiah 5:20: Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.
A LITTLE HERE AND A LITTLE THERE
The tricky part is that most of these techniques DO start out with a little truth and a little common sense.
For instance the “focus” technique starts out by advising you to get enough rest. Duh. Isn’t that why we Christians observe the Sabbath every seven days?
God told us that long before all these so-called experts did. Why would we listen to their wisdom instead of listening to The Master of The Universe?
The fact that some of the logic for the modern-day definition and practice of mindfulness is common sense, and a portion of it may be helpful; doesn’t take away the fact that some of it is self-destructive and full of brain-washing techniques.
THERE IS STILL MORE TO CONSIDER
So we have seen a lot of red flags to be aware of. Does this mean that my research and writing on “mindfulness” has concluded?
No; our next article will talk about the amazing concept of “neuroplasticity” that has become associated with “mindfulness.”
Is this what we think is?
I’ll see you over in Article 6. Also; if you missed our first three articles; you can review them here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/mindfulness-yoga-meditation-and-they-make-you-feel/ https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/mindfulness-meditation-yoga-series/ https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/mindfulness-and-absolutes-article-two-about-mindfulness-meditation-and-yoga/ .
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