Mindful in 5: God Lovers' Edition

Chapter 1

Why Meditation?

My mouth speaks wisdom; my heart’s meditation brings understanding.

Psalms 49:3 HCSB

“How’d you do it?” Akar Khouri, global vice president of sales, asked the chief legal officer at lunch. They sat un­der an orange umbrella at a picnic table in a manicured courtyard at Sunderland Medical Inc. “Gottfried is a lunatic. You’re a military wife juggling three kids. How are you so calm?”

Chantelle Dubois smiled sadly. Just then, a man broke from a tour of new employees and hurried over. “Hey, aren’t you Vivek Murthy, the former US surgeon general?” he demanded in excitement.

“No!” Akar snapped. “Can’t you tell the difference between an Indian and an Egyptian?” The man retreated apologetically.

Chantelle’s cheek dimpled. Although Akar was Egyptian and Dr. Murthy was of Indian descent, and their complexions were quite different, Akar did resemble the former surgeon general. His lithe frame, sloped shoulders, regal nose, and distinguished salt-and-pepper hair were strikingly similar. She replied, “I meditate for thirty minutes twice a day.”

“And?” Akar asked, raking agitated fingers through his hair.

“That’s it. My peace comes from within.”

Akar scowled. The French woman continued in her pleasant, accented lilt, “I observe my thoughts and emotions. I choose to hold myself together regardless of events.” Chantelle thought about Dale Anderson, her husband, waking up screaming in the middle of the night. She brought herself back to the present.

“I don’t have an hour for daily meditation.” Akar sighed. “I’m a sales guy. Go, go, go is my mantra.”

Five minutes a day can keep the blues at bay. Just start. It adds up.

The Takeaway

Like Akar, many people like the benefits and results of mindfulness meditation but doubt they have time. You invested time in this book, so you obviously care about your wellness. If you don’t have time, just start with five minutes each morning. You can do it.

My Journal Reflections

Invite God into your practice and spend at least 5 minutes in silent meditation first thing each morning centering yourself and setting your intentions for the day. Set your alarm for 5 minutes and begin with a prayer. You can journal after your 5 minutes of meditation.  It will feel like a long time when you start. But stick with it and it will get easier.

Day 1. For the next five minutes, I will imagine how life would be different if I could better weather life’s challenges.

Day 2. Here’s how I think mindfulness meditation can help me: ________________.

Day 3. My optimal time of day to practice is ________________ because ________________.

Day 4.            I can’t control people around me, but I can control ________________.

Day 5. Going forward, I will strive to ________________.

Chapter 2

Debunking the Myths

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalms 19:14 HCSB

“Isn’t mindfulness meditation some weird Eastern mystic crap?” Akar demanded. His deep brown eyes widened in horror as he heard himself voice this long-held bias.

Chantelle’s lustrous auburn hair was piled high on her head, and she tucked a stray curl behind her ear as she began. “Many world religions share the same fundamental truths about how to live harmoniously and how to love yourself and others,” she said. She explained that while the cultivation of mindfulness stemmed from Buddhist practices, most religions—including Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity—advocated prayer and meditation as core practices.

Akar looked skeptical. “Well, I’m a Christian,” he said, looking doubtful.

“Then go find your Bible and count how many times it tells you to meditate on the word.”

“So what do I do? Just sit there and empty my mind?” Akar snorted.

“No, that’s a myth. You cultivate internal stillness so you can better control and focus your thoughts on positive things.”

Akar was still not convinced. “So, if I sit and think positive thoughts, my problems will go away?”

Chantelle’s laugh was deep and sonorous. “The world won’t stop delivering problems to your doorstep. But you will get much better at handling them from a place of calm, personal power and emotional equilibrium,” she explained.

The Takeaway

There are many myths about meditation. It’s not a silver bullet or quick fix just as having a relationship with God is not an antidote to encountering painful life experience. However, with consistent practice over time, you can reap the benefits.

Meditation is not about changing others or your environment; it’s about transforming your mind and how you see the world.

This journey is not about controlling your terrible boss, that cantankerous spouse, or your badly behaved kids. It’s about equipping you with tools and paradigms that will make you better at handling them.

My Journal Reflections

Invite God into your practice and spend at least 5 minutes in silent meditation first thing each morning centering yourself and setting your intentions for the day. Set your alarm for 5 minutes and begin with a prayer. You can journal after your 5 minutes of meditation.  It will feel like a long time when you start. But stick with it and it will get easier.

Day 1. I will spend five minutes confronting an objection I have to practicing mindfulness meditation. Where did this objection come from, and how can I use this book and the tools I learn to overcome it?

Day 2. I have long held this negative belief about mindfulness or meditation: ________________.

Day 3. Here are other things I have believed about mindfulness meditation: ________________.

Day 4. Here’s what I would like to get from my mindfulness meditation journey: ________________.

Day 5. Here’s how I plan to harness the power of mindfulness meditation in my life: ________________.