Contemplation #21

In previous posts (Contemplations 13 & 20) I have addressed how clinical research over the last decade supports the power of mindfulness-based meditation practices for ameliorating virtually every kind of psychological suffering. You might recall that mindfulness-based stress reduction practices are based upon traditional Buddhist meditation strategies, which teach how to gently hold one’s awareness in the present moment, rather than allowing it to drift and fixate on the past or future.

The ancient philosopher Lao Tzu wrote several thousand years ago:

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past.

If you are anxious, you are living in the future.

If you are at peace, you are living in the present.

The cognitive behavioral research (CBT) has in fact found that those who struggle with anxiety do spend an inordinate amount of time focused on “What if” thinking about the future.  This pattern of thinking generates panic and generalized anxiety. On the other hand, individuals who struggle with depression tend to spend an inordinate amount of their mental time in the past, focusing on mistakes, inadequacies, disappointments, and failures. However, those who invest most of their mental focus in the present are healthier and more productive:

“The ability to be in the present moment

is a major component of mental wellness.”
 (Abraham Maslow Ph.D)

So why does meditation, and a present moment focus, have such powerful healing effects?  The answer to this question can be found in the scriptural teachings of every major religion of the world. Every major religion of the world addresses the power of Divine Love, through which anything is possible, and how this love is found in the quiet stillness within.

Consider for a moment that Jesus is commonly thought of as a “healer.”  This is a label he would no doubt vehemently reject.  Jesus made it clear when he performed his miracles that it was not he who was responsible.  He was always quick to point out that it was the faith of the receiver that made miracles possible.

“Go, it will be done just as you believed it would.

 ‘And his servant was healed at that very hour.”

(Matthew 8:13)

“Take heart daughter,” he said, “Your faith has healed you.” 

(Matthew 9:22) 

This is neither a small, nor insignificant distinction.  Throughout his ministry, Jesus performed miracles as a way of teaching two powerful lessons about healing and positive change:

• All positive change is the result of love – eternal unconditional love (God the Father) – to this there is no exception.
• It is faith in the mind of the receiver that allows access to the unconditional love which makes healing possible.

Jesus alone never healed anyone.  It was the unconditional love of the Father, which flowed through him, which made healing possible.

“Don’t you believe that I am in the father, and the father is in me?  The words I say to you are not my own.  Rather, it is the father living in me, who is doing his work.” –

(John 14:10)

Jesus had no ability to heal those whose minds were closed to the power of this love:

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And he was amazed at their lack of faith.”  –

(Mark 6:5-6)

Now consider this same lesson from several different spiritual sources:

“Peace comes from within.  Do not seek it without.”

(The Buddha)

“There is a place in you where there is perfect peace.

There is a place in you where nothing is impossible.

 There is a place in you where the strength of God abides.”

(ACIM, Lesson 47)

“Still your mind in me, still yourself in me,

and without a doubt you shall be united with me, Lord of Love, dwelling in your heart.”

 (The Bhagavad Gita)

“Truly, in remembering God do hearts find peace.”

(Quran 13: 28)

The essential point: there is no healing substitute for the power of a quiet mind immersed in the present moment.  From a quiet mind flows a heart of unconditional love, through which anything is possible.

For those desiring to learn how to quite the mind there are many meditation tools available.  I encourage you to check out the meditations available under the free resources tab on my web site.  In addition, my new Healing With Parables program (available for download in my online store) offers eight very powerful meditations for calming the mind and relieving anxiety and stress. The world will be a much healthier place when every day we take a little time to:

“Be still and know that I am God.”

(Psalm 46:10)

   http://www.rebmanconsulting.com