Connected to God
Mindfulness meditation is a practice towards a sacred journey with God. It allows us to pray with Presence, let go of “ego” and be able to choose where one wants to place their attention. By embracing the sacred pause, moving from “me” to “we,” and breathing in God’s spirit, we awaken to a life of deep connection, peace and divine love.
Passage below contains some musings about Mindfulness Meditation: A Pathway to God. I found this practice allows much and attempted to frame it in a few ways that make sense for me.
I find mindfulness meditation supports my intention to be connected to God….if only for a moment.
Mondays & Thursdays
12:15 – 12:45 pm
Room 407 @ Second Presbyterian Church
7700 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260
or
Zoom! – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83998337582
Meeting ID: 839 9833 7582 – Password: 672891
Join others in Mindfulness Meditation on Mondays and Thursdays at 12:15 pm. Brief discussion, followed by silent practice and concluding with observations, comments or wonderings. Take refuge in the present moment. Mindfulness Meditation is the opportunity to rest in Presence in a supportive environment with others. No experience, fee or registration is necessary.
P. Scott Sweet, LCSW LCAC, CenterPoint Counseling
Mindfulness Meditation: A Pathway to God
P. Scott Sweet, LCSW LCAC, CenterPoint Counseling
Mindfulness meditation, when practiced with spiritual intent, can bring one closer to God by deepening prayer, surrendering to divine will and awakening to the sacred in everyday life. “Seeing the Extraordinary in the ordinary”. Through mindfulness, we shift from ego-driven existence to divine Presence, creating space for wisdom, freedom (ability to choose) and grace.
How to Pray?
True prayer is not merely speaking to God but also listening, opening our hearts to divine presence. Mindfulness meditation teaches us “to be still and know God”, to quiet the restless mind and to cultivate awareness of God’s Presence in each breath. When we pray with mindfulness, we are not just asking—we are letting go, trusting and being in communion with the Divine.
“Let Go and Let God”
Mindfulness invites us to let go of control and allow God’s will to unfold. Often, we are trapped by our fears, anxieties and the illusion of control. When we meditate, we practice releasing attachments (birthplace of suffering) in the present moment allowing God’s Presence, allowing faith and trust. In stillness, we realize that we are not alone, and we do not have to bear life’s burdens alone—God is with us, always. God is nigh!
The Sacred Pause
Between the demands of life and our response, there is a sacred pause—a moment of divine grace where we can choose wisdom over impulse, love over fear and trust over doubt. Mindfulness meditation helps us cultivate this pause, making space for God to enter our mind, body and spirit before we react.
EGO – “Edging GOD Out”
Our ego often keeps us distant from God, convincing us that we are separate, self-sufficient or superior. When we are lost in ego, we “edge God out” as our personal fears overcome divine wisdom. By silencing the ego’s chatter, we create space for God’s voice. Being SILENT allows one to LISTEN to God.
Moving from “Me” to “We”
A self-centered mind focuses on “me”—my needs, my struggles, my desires. Mindfulness opens us to interconnectedness, shifting our focus to “we.” When we meditate with awareness, we recognize that all beings share the same divine breath, and we begin to see God in others. Love, compassion and service naturally flow from this awareness, drawing us closer to the Divine.
Addiction to “I”
In modern life, we are addicted to “I”—our personal narratives, opinions, traumas and identities. This addiction blinds us to God’s greater truth. Through mindfulness, we loosen our attachment to the self (sin/shame), recognizing that we are not just isolated individuals but divine reflections of the whole. We are quite attached to our stories, and when we detach from the ego’s grip, we allow God’s Presence.
Experiencing God’s Spirit Through Breath
Breath is life; breath is spirit. The Hebrew word for spirit, ruach, also means breath. When we focus on our breath in meditation (focus), we are not just calming the mind—we are connecting with the divine life force within us. Each breath is a reminder of God’s Presence, sustaining and renewing us. In this moment of awareness of the breath, we can truly encounter God via the body. God connects with us beyond just our “headquarters”.
Perhaps I’m Praying All the Time?
What if prayer is not just words but a state of being? Mindfulness teaches us that every moment can be a prayer if we live with awareness and reverence. Washing dishes, walking or simply breathing can become acts of prayer when done with gratitude and Presence. The sacred is always here—prayer is simply our willingness to notice.
If I Can Be Intentional, Perhaps I Can Be the Image of God?
God is a creator, and as beings made in God’s image, we too are creators of love, peace and beauty. Mindfulness helps us become intentional of our thoughts, words, and actions, aligning them with divine purpose. When we live mindfully, we reflect God’s light in the world.
Creating Reality Through Thoughts, Feelings, and Beliefs
Energy flows where attention goes. Our thoughts shape our experience, and mindfulness helps us cultivate a belief system rooted in faith, love and divine trust. When we align our inner world with God’s truth, our outer world transforms.
From Fear to Flow: Living in Divine Grace
Fear—False Evidence Appearing Real—keeps us stuck in suffering. Mindfulness shifts us from fear to flow: Fun, Loving, Open, and Willing. In this state, we trust in God, surrender our anxieties and embrace life’s unfolding with faith.
Mindfulness meditation is a practice towards a sacred journey with God. It allows us to pray with Presence, let go of “ego” and be able to choose where one wants to place their attention. By embracing the sacred pause, moving from “me” to “we,” and breathing in God’s spirit, we awaken to a life of deep connection, peace and divine love.
In stillness, we find God. In breath, we feel God. In letting go, we become one with Presence, if only for a moment.