How to Practice Mindfulness and Communication with Our Creator
This is an excerpt from The GOD Prescription by Dr. Avery Jackson, III. Learn more about the book here.
It is a testament to God’s love for us that He has given us the ability to relieve our own suffering simply by being mindful. Mindfulness involves simply being still, becoming aware of your environment, focusing on your breathing, and reining in your wandering mind. Its observing God’s physical plan in how He has uniquely created you. You are more aware of and are taking a conscious moment to peruse God’s orchestra of life in you. Here are some basic instructions for practicing mindfulness. Every mindfulness coach states these instructions slightly differently.
1. Sit in a comfortable position. Find a place to sit that feels calm and quiet. Sit cross-legged in an upright position if you can, but don’t assume a rigid posture.
2. Rest your eyes gently on the floor in front of you, or close them. Focus on a spot about four to six feet away. If you are closer to the wall than that, let your gaze rest on the wall wherever it lands. You can listen to the tempo of the Lord’s voice when your eyes are closed as well.
3. Focus on your body and the environment around you. When your attention wanders away, gently bring it back to your body and the environment. Now focus on God’s love for you. Think about how He created you in His own image, with mechanisms for healing in every part of your soul, mind, and body. Quietly ask God to allow you to know His heart. Acknowledge that God loved us all enough to send His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. Praise Him and thank Him for all He has done for you.
4. Just breathe. Focus on your breathing as you take in air and release air from your lungs. Pray in your heavenly language. Listen to the cadence of the prayer language. Be aware of how it changes, including when you sing it. Notice how much lighter you feel as the Lord lifts those burdens off your shoulders. When you notice that you have gotten so caught up in thoughts that you have forgotten that you’re sitting in the room, gently bring yourself back to your breath and speaking in your heavenly language. Try not to time yourself. Be led by the Holy Spirit regarding the amount of time in prayer. Often, we get restless early on in our walk with the Lord, until we experience the joy that comes from being in His presence. Think about all the miracles that God has performed in your life and the lives of others. You’ll soon begin to pray longer and not pay attention to your time with the Lord. This will allow you to relax mentally and physically. You will be filled with more peace and joy each time you commune with the Lord.
It takes practice to learn to sit quietly and to return your wandering mind to focus on the current moment and your surroundings. Likewise, listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice takes effort to develop when you are relaxed and quiet. Read Scripture and pray in tongues to build up your spirit. This requires a focused heart to develop a mature “spiritual ear.”
