Christian Psychology and Mindfulness
February 14th, 2010(by Philip G. Monroe. Associate professor of Counseling & Psychology at Biblical Seminary. Dr. Monroe is our blogger for the month of February and this is his third post. Dr. Monroe maintains his own blog at http://www.wisecounsel.wordpress.com/)
Christian psychology exists to promote distinctly Christian study of the nature of persons, problems and solutions. Eric Johnson, our society’s leader, has done a masterful job outlining the nature and foundation of Christian soul care in his 2007 Foundations (IVP) book. Now, the next step is for us to develop detailed conceptions of a variety of common human struggles and helpful interventions.
But Christian psychology need not re-invent the wheel. Other psychologies (e.g., secular, Buddhist, humanist, etc.) have explored common human behavior patterns in helpful ways. One such concept getting a fair amount of attention is that of “mindfulness.” I first read about mindfulness some years ago in the work of Marsha Linehan. Dr. Linehan is the main developer and researcher of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a research supported treatment protocol for those suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. Dr. Linehan has referred to herself as part behaviorist, part Buddhist, and part Dialectical philosopher. Her treatment consists of 4 main components, one being based on Buddhist principles of mindfulness. More recently, cognitive therapists have adopted mindfulness as an intervention in place of (or at least alongside of) the core work of challenging cognitive distortions. Since then a number of careful studies employing mindfulness as an intervention seem to indicate that the technique works-possibly even better than techniques designed to challenge or distract from anxious talk. Those who practice it see a reduction of anxious and depressive symptoms. How might Christian psychologist think about mindfulness practice?
What is it?
Mindfulness is defined in several parallel ways. In short it is conceived of a non-judgmental, present-tense, accepting awareness. [I've blogged on mindfulness before. You can find these additional thoughts here and here]. It is the absence of judgmental attitude with an emphasis on describing rather than categorizing. It is the being focused on the present rather than the past or future. It is an attitude of openness to experience.
How should we respond to it?
The Christian therapist might rightly have some concerns about mindfulness. Buddhist beliefs about the goal of eliminating desire do not comport with Christian theology. Further, Christians are called to judge between right and wrong. Clearly, relativism isn’t part of Christian doctrine. However, are there facets of the practice that do comport with Christian foundations of soul care? Some integrative counseling models might include mindfulness from a purely utilitarian standpoint: it can be described without emphasizing Buddhist foundations. However, a better process would be to develop a foundation for consciousness and awareness of one’s surroundings using Biblical principles and Christian tradition.
Building a Christian psychology of mindfulness?
A Christian psychology of mindfulness might start by identifying the problem of distorted thoughts, perceptions and judgments and their genesis in the mind and heart. Second, the model of mindfulness might articulate the proper cognitive and attitudinal engagement in an unpredictable and frightening world.
The study of Buddhist mindfulness may encourage the Christian psychologist to re-investigate similar concepts from early Christian writings. For example, one might consider those spiritual disciplines designed to center one’s mind in Christ or to be “watchful” of thoughts. For example, IVP is preparing to release a new book entitled, Life in the Spirit: Spiritual Formation in Theological Perspective. In this book, James Wilhoit (Wheaton College) has a chapter on centering prayer. Building on the writings of Christian forbearers, he depicts a prayerful stance of observing the thoughts. The goal is not emptying the mind but maintaining conscious connection with the Spirit. Such activity opposes “what if” or “if only” kinds of hypervigilant thinking-thinking accompanying depression and anxiety and which hinders contentment.
In a recent phone conversation, Jim Wilhoit described the concept of watchfulness as an “intentional construal of the world” from God’s perspective. In my thinking, this form of mindfulness does not grasp after logical constructions (e.g., Psalm 131) but observes (a) the world as God sees it, and (b) the common but distorted scripts used as substitutes.
While I have not articulated a clear picture of a Christian psychology of the mind, I hope that my ramblings may encourage someone to build a rich model of mindfulness from our Christian tradition that avoids conceiving of the mind as only a logical instrument to talk ourselves out of feelings and perceptions.
February 15th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Good Morning. Thank You for this article. You have touched on a great interest of mine. I looked at the Mindfulness Literature and came away dissatisfied from a Christian perspective. Before chucking it out I decided to see whether there might be such a thing as Christian Mindfulness. I blogged about this exploration and you can find my journey here: http://bjs-spot.blogspot.com/2009/05/mindfulness-toc.html. I hope that this can be of use to you and your audience. Thank you Phil for your words of insight and questions that bring reflection.
God Bless You
~BJ Olson MS
Lic Mental Health Counselor
February 21st, 2010 at 8:04 am
Nice article. I also am working to integrated Mindfulness with Christian counseling Practice.
~BJ
February 21st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Thanks to both Philip and BJ for the resources.
I just went to a Dan Siegel seminar Tuesday, and it was one of the best presentations I’ve ever seen. I’ve been doing the mindsight exercises he outlined, and they seem very helpful–when I get done, I’m feeling much closer to God, and ready to pray.
It’s funny that he had no idea of meditation practices when he started using the word “mindfulness.” He defined mindful parenting as “intentional, conscious, and caring,” which doesn’t sound un-Christian. The results of the exercises (better body regulation, attuned communication with good boundaries, emotional balance–neither rigidity or chaos, response flexibility–delayed gratification and impulse control, fear modulation, insight, empathy, morality, and intuition–somatic discernment/knowing) don’t seem un-Christian, either–I’m sure we could find proof texts for all of them
. I work with a lot of folks who’ve experienced trauma and have insecure attachment, and I’m excited for what these exercises could do for them inter-and intra-personally.
I appreciate that Siegel considers relationships, mind, and brain as a unit, his definition of “mind” as both embodied and relational, and his concept of health as integration (of the 9 mid pre-frontal cortex functions above, and of relationships–honoring differences while promoting linkages).
The trouble in presenting his work to Christians might have to do with some of the terminology, as well as with the idea that these exercises will somehow open the door to the demonic (some Christians have the same objections to the use of hypnosis). Even though I consider myself a conservative evangelical, I’m not sure how to present these techniques in a culturally sensitive way to like-minded Christians.
ted dot thkh at gmail dot com
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:24 am
BJ, glad others are seeking to add to our knowledge and practice base.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Phil,
My thoughts on developing an understanding of mindfulness would be to study the Book of Proverbs. Several areas of knowledge would have to be presented before going through the book, such as:
1. A biblical epistemology, which is the context of the message in the Book of Proverbs. This study would show the criticalness of information to our growth and development, and how we program ourselves.
2. A biblical understanding of the creation of the being of the individual based on the creation account, and how the writer of Proverbs stays within the conceptual boundaries of creation. By following the pattern of the creation of our being the writer shows how the individual breaks him/herself down. By reversing the process he shows how the individual comes into a living, viable relationship with the Lord.
3. A study of how the writer presents the biblical concept of the personality of the individual by using the Hebrew concept of “heart.” And continuing that study into the New Testament pattern of “mind, conscience, heart, and will” as these are psychological systems that constitute the soul or inner person, which the Hebrew text identifies by the word “heart.”
4. These studies would possibly prepare us to understand what lies behind the dichotomy of good and bad behavior. It seems that this mindfulness that you point out is at the heart of these studies, or at least they point to the element of mindfulness.
Thanks for this stimulating subject.
Harold
March 29th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
In Belgium mindfullness has become the most popular way to well, get rid of any psychological answers. Even most psychiatrists refer you to a group… When I pray, I automatically concentrate on one person, God. I can explain it as “becoming spirit”, and when He disicdes i”m done, I feel like i’ve been doncing all evening, and I noticed, that I have answers on almost any question I had. Usually feeling empathy towards others. Why not teach that? I have friends who take courses, and the get more and more focussed on how to “get rid” of emotions (eg compassion) and how they try to get rid of anyone, that would cause them to loose focus. I”m not there to start a protest, just wanted to tell that concentrating on God, has more benefits.
April 2nd, 2010 at 7:43 pm
I have used Christian Meditation in my practice for over 20 years. On our web site we have a meditation section where our patient/clients can download the meditation we use and teach in session for relaxation, anxiety and memory work. It is a good complement to the cognitive and behavioral processes.
May 5th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Phil,
Your writing here has been on my mind (though not necessarily mindful as defined) for the past several weeks. Immediately following the reading, my Bible reading included those scriptures of “mindful” as well. Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 8:4 and Psalm 9:12 came up over the past few weeks. I was touched by God’s mind being full of His covenant with us and His awareness of us. I want my meditative life to be filled up with an open space for Him and His workings as I believe you were getting at here from the truth of who He is and our identity in Him.
Thank you so much for your sharing. I continue to let this message sink in deeply. You and yours are on my husband and my hearts and in our prayers.
Val (and Mike) Murphy