2 Corinthians 10:3-6 — For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Have you heard of “mindfulness”? It’s a “new” technique being touted as a way of helping with psychological disorders, and even workplace and combat stress.
Mindfulness might almost be described as “self monitoring”, focusing on being aware, constantly, on our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment — without being judgmental. The idea is to maintain awareness without judging, without regarding thoughts or feelings as “right” or “wrong”.
Mindfulness, in modern secular process, has its origin in Buddhism. One of the Buddhist texts describes it as follows:

And what, monks, is right mindfulness?
There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in and of itself—ardent, aware, and mindful—putting away greed and distress with reference to the world.
He remains focused on feelings in and of themselves—ardent, aware, and mindful—putting away greed and distress with reference to the world.
(iii) He remains focused on the mind in and of itself—ardent, aware, and mindful—putting away greed and distress with reference to the world.
(iv) He remains focused on mental qualities in and of themselves—ardent, aware, and mindful—putting away greed and distress with reference to the world.
This, monks, is called right mindfulness.

You might wonder why I’m interested in this — or maybe the connection to the scripture is obvious. It seems to me that there is a “Christian Mindfulness”.
There is a critical difference between Christian mindfulness and Buddhist / secular mindfulness. Christian mindfulness has a point of view. Albert Barnes describes it as he comments on the passage from 2 Corinthians:

Every power of thought in the heathen world; all the systems of philosophy and all forms of opinion among men; all the purposes of the soul; all the powers of reason, memory, judgment, fancy in an individual, were all to come under the laws of Christ, All doctrines were to be in accordance with his will; philosophy should no longer control them, but they should be subject to the will of Christ.

I heard an interesting example of “mindfulness in action” today. I heard someone talk about their “gratitude bell” … an alarm that rings three times in the afternoon to remind them to focus for ten seconds on something they were truly grateful for. I like that idea. It reminds me of the watches that some people have, that have crosses on, and remind them to pray on the hour.
You know I’m not encouraging you to turn Buddhist. But a little Christian mindfulness, a little focused meditation and gratitude — it might be a great New Year’s stress buster!