In 2015 a wide variety of adult colouring books appeared on our supermarket shelves. Labelled as the current fad, many Australians have joined the craze, stocking up their colouring pencils and recognising there's something ever so relaxing about colouring!
So what is so exciting about colouring? These books coincide with the increased popularity of a practise called 'mindfulness.' Stemming originally from eastern religions, the term 'mindfulness' has now gained a more modern connotation in comparison with its traditional underpinnings.
Modern-day mindfulness refers to being fully present in body, mind and spirit with your conscious experience. It means living in the moment, and accepting your thoughts, sensations and experiences as they occur.
If we consider the simple act of colouring in a picture, mindful colouring would mean a person's goal is to focus their attention on the task at hand: to be fully aware of all they notice whilst undertaking this activity. This may mean noticing the colours they are using, the pressure of the pencils in their hands or the thoughts running through their mind whilst they colour in. Mindfulness is the practise of focusing one's attention on the present moment.
Modern-day mindfulness is not to be confused with traditional mindfulness. While modern day mindfulness involves being aware of one's conscious experience, traditional mindfulness is founded in Buddhist roots, and is one of the seven factors of enlightenment.
Within Buddhism, mindfulness equals awareness and is considered to be a 'power' helping individuals reach a state of nirvana. Nirvana is described as a state in which greed, hatred and delusion have been overcome.
One may propose, as colouring books suggest, mindfulness has been watered down, de-spiritualised and served to the masses in an easily digestible form.
Should Christians engage in mindfulness?
Like all things, I believe mindfulness can be redeemed by Jesus. Christians should be well aware of the references to meditation in scripture. To mention a few, Psalm chapter 48, verse 9 says, 'Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.' Psalm chapter 63, verse 6 says, 'I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.'
Paul also gives us a suggestion for things to meditate on in Philippians chapter 4, verses 8–9, 'Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things ... practise these things, and the God of peace will be with you.' Philippians chapter 4, verses 8–9.
It is important to note the differences between meditation and mindfulness. Mindfulness can be thought of as a part of meditation. In Buddhist tradition, the aim is to empty one's mind. In Christian meditation, I would argue we bring our minds before Christ, and allow his spirit to fill our minds with thoughts of him and his goodness. There is a clear distinction between the two.
One helpful way to redeem mindfulness for God's glory is to use mindfulness to stir up thankfulness in all situations. For me, this means whenever I sit down to a cup of good coffee or a delicious meal, I take a moment to stop and savour the taste in my mouth, and consequently my affections arise for the creator of these wonderful gifts.
In Colossians chapter 3, verse 17, Paul commands us, 'And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.' As we consider our motivations for doing things, mindfulness clearly corresponds with this process of contemplation and reflection.
A small warning
As a psychologist and a Christian, I am keenly aware mindfulness stems from eastern religions, and can, at times, mention or utilise mantras or terms specific to Buddhism. For this reason, I would suggest we, as Christians, stay on our guard and consider our engagement with mindfulness, using it in conjunction with contemplation or reflection of scripture.
Rather than feeling guilty about the past or worried about the future, mindfulness can help us to stop and become aware of these tendencies. In doing this, we are able to reflect on God's promises to us in the present moment, and let truth sink into our hearts and minds in the every day.
Sarah Young is about to start work as a psychologist and loves spending time engaging with young people. She spends her spare time writing songs, running and going on adventures with her husband, James.
Sarah Young's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/sarah-young.html