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Christian Counseling Connection 7

CLINICAL

Fernando Garzon, Psy.D.

Counseling approaches applying mindfulness principles have been growing in popularity (e.g., Hayes, Strosahl & Wilson, 1999; Roemer & Orsillo, 2009). Consequently, it is not uncommon for therapists to open their sessions with a “mindfulness moment” to encourage both client and counselor to be more

fully aware of present moment experiences and processes. From a Christian psychology perspective, mindfulness leaves out important Christian worldview components that can produce different therapeutic results with clients. In this article, I use an example to highlight what those different results might be.

Let’s begin by taking a look at a typical mindful- ness present moment awareness exercise based on Roemer and Orsillo (2009, pp. 119-124), and then incorporating Christian worldview principles into it (Garzon, 2013, pp. 65-67). I note where the Chris- tian worldview additions begin and then explain what they contribute afterward.

Make yourself comfortable in your chair, closing your eyes and placing your feet squarely on the floor. Notice what sounds you hear in the room [name examples]... begin to turn your aware- ness to your body. Notice how you’re sitting in the chair, that your hands are folded… feel your feet in your shoes pressing against the floor, your hips against the chair…. There’s no need to change anything, simply be with your body… notice any areas of tension, giv- ing yourself permission to be with that tension. This is not a time to struggle with what is… observe what your mind is doing, what thoughts or images are occurring, where it is going…. Just be aware of your experience, what is happening right now in this moment… [Christian additions begin here:]. While you’re observing this experience, I invite you to become aware of God’s presence with us in this room today, that He’s here with us and wants to be with you in your experience. [Care- fully observe the client’s nonverbal behavior. If the client appears to be responding positively, continue with the remainder of the script.] I invite you to surrender all you are experiencing to Him in this moment… releasing your tensions, thoughts, and worries into His hands. [At times, the counselor may sense a Scripture is ap- propriate to encourage this release, such as Matthew 11:28-30.] As you let go of these things, become aware that God has a purpose in our meeting today. Open up to what this purpose might be… and when you are ready, return your focus to the room. The Christian counselor then explores the experience with the client and any sense

of God’s presence or purpose for that day’s session. When positive, the client reports a deepened sense of God’s involvement in his or her life. A script might be given to the client to encourage using this activity out of sessions. When negative, examining the experience in detail may lead to an awareness of a negative God image and God attach- ment issues that can be treated in therapy.

Underlying premises highlight key differences between mindfulness and Christian present moment awareness that can produce various results. In both Buddhist and secularized versions of mindfulness, present moment awareness adopts a reduction- istic closed system perspective. All cognitive and emotional experiences originate in the brain and are the sole result of its processing. This stands in stark contrast to the Christian worldview, which sees such processes in an open system, with the reality of God’s Trinitarian immanence being a potential component for the client’s cognitive and emotional processes with which to interact. In short, God is with us in our present

moment experiences. Training Christian clients with secular or Buddhist mindfulness to ignore this reality minimizes a valuable resource for healing in the present moment. We are not alone. God wants to be with us in our present moment experience, whatever that experience might be.

The previous exercise also highlights that the present moment takes on additional qualities when placed in a relational context with our loving, compassionate God. Both the Christian present moment orientation and mindfulness concur that struggling with uncomfortable internal experiences, or even sinful reactions, can sometimes worsen

those experiences (see Romans 7:15-25). Thus, acceptance of self-experience is a mutual starting at- titude for both exercises. However, in Christian pres- ent moment awareness, this is only the beginning.

Important theistic relational components are also involved to further healing. Themes of grace, trust in the Lord, and surrender of the struggle to God become powerful additions to acceptance. These instill hope, deepen the client’s relationship with the Lord, and build the client’s faith that the unpleasant experience or sinful reaction does not have to control him or her. Thus, strength in the Lord (not self-effort) and the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10) grows in Christian present mo- ment awareness. A sense that God may have a higher

purpose in the present moment is also cultivated. These would be missed when only mindfulness present moment awareness is practiced.

The main point of this brief article is not to attack empirically supported mindful- ness, but emphasize the differences between mindfulness and Christian present moment awareness that create meaningfully diverse results. Since mindfulness operates from a truncated view of reality, it can inadvertently teach Christian clients to leave out the most important part of reality, God, from their present moment awareness. Incorpo- rating the reality of God’s immanence in present moment awareness can correct this secular/Buddhist worldview omission and simultaneously cultivate a deeper relationship with the most powerful healing resource available to any client—the Lord Himself. This is a worthy goal from a Christian psychology perspective.

Fernando Garzon, Psy.D., is a professor at Liberty University in the Center for Counseling and Family Services. Dr. Garzon’s research in- terests focus on spiritual interventions in psychotherapy, lay Christian counseling approaches (Freedom in Christ, Theophostic Ministry, etc.), Christian psychology pedagogy, and multicultural issues. His clinical experience encompasses outpatient, managed care, hospital, pastoral care, and church settings.

References Garzon, F.L. (2013). Christian devotional meditation for anxiety. In J. Aten, E. Johnson, E. Worthington &

J. Hook’s (Eds.), Evidence-Based Practices for Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy. pp. 59-76. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Academic Press.

Hayes, S.C., Strosahl, K.D. & Wilson, K.G. (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Roemer, L.O. & Orsillo, S.M. (2009). Mindfulness & Acceptance-based Behavioral Therapies in Practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Mindfulness or Christian Present Moment Awareness? Different Options with Different Results

from the Society for Christian Psychology Christian Psych Notes

“From a Christian psychology perspective, mindfulness leaves out important Christian

worldview components that can produce different

therapeutic results with clients.”

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