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Mindfulness is Remembering the Presence of Christ with Us

By Anita Mathias 9 Comments

Hi Friends, Welcome to a new podcast, Christian Meditation with Anita. This is the first episode.

Over the last four years, meditation has begun to change my life.

A session of meditation before I write calms and focuses my mind and helps me gather my thoughts. It is the most effective way I know to help me settle down and focus.

It is a solution to the turbulence of life. Get very quiet, retreat into yourself, and be alone with your breath and the God who made you.

Meditation calms and rewires the nervous system. It has made me quieter, less reactive, more aware of what I am feeling, and more perceptive of unspoken currents of human interaction, and what other people might be feeling. And as you begin to slow down, to quieten down in the deep heart’s core, over time, you become more able to choose your responses wisely, and kindly.

With its focus on the breath, meditation helps you switch your attention off the hamster wheel of annoying repetitive mosquito thoughts to something else, pretty much at will.

I recently started meditating seriously again, after developing sciatica due to over-exercising on our family holiday in December. The pain can scream for attention, feel excruciating, all-enveloping, and then, after a few minutes of meditation, it begins to subside and, as I switch my focus to my breath and the meditation tape, my whole body relaxes and the pain becomes imperceptible, fades.

 

So, let’s do some meditation. Let’s give ourselves the gift, the luxury of getting very quiet, of retreating within ourselves to relax, and be with the God who made us.

Close your eyes, sit straight, or cross-legged if that’s comfortable for you, and begin to breathe. A deep breath in. And out. Breathe in deeply. Breathe out fully. A deep breath in. And out. Twice more.

 

When Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to his disciples as a gift, an inheritance, he breathed on them.

As you relax your body, picture a golden wave of the love of God coursing through it, relaxing it.

If you feel tension in your shoulders, raise them up to your ears, slowly roll them, clockwise, anticlockwise. Repeat.

There is a direct connection between our hips and our emotions, I’ve read. Stressful thoughts,  stressful interactions, unresolved bubbling emotions can trigger the pain of sciatica. Send your breath towards your hips. Breathe in, breathe out.

Let the breath travel to your toes. Clench them, wriggle them, relax. Breathe.

 

Meditation, focus on the breath, is a tool for calming down right in your body. It teaches us mindfulness, a current buzz word.

But what are we mindful of?

 

We are mindful of the presence of the God. We are mindful that we are living in a holy experience. We remember that life is a gift given to us by God, and it is short. We must savour it with gratitude.

So anything that will enhance the joy with which we live life, anything that will enhance the gratitude and wonder with which we go through our holy experience, is a blessing. And the first way we begin to appreciate the gift of our lives is by slowing down.

Breathe in to the count of five; breathe out. Take another four deep breaths.

 

Christian mindfulness is awareness of a presence with us, always with us, the triune God, Father, Son, Spirit. There is another in the room, a source of wisdom in the room, a source of guidance.  You walk into a room; they walk in with you, and are already there. Waiting. Father, Son, Spirit.

 

We are mindful of the Father’s presence with us, right now.

The Father, into whose lap we can climb into with our needs, our wants, and our questions. If this image resonates with you, visualise yourself climbing into the arms of the Everlasting Father, the Ancient of Days, and whispering your worry to him. Ask him for wisdom.

At some time in your life, you may, in God’s mercy, hit a brick wall. You may know all the good things to do, but struggle to do them. You may struggle with weight loss perhaps, or organised housekeeping, with developing a habit of exercise, with waking early to hang out with God, or with doing disciplined creative work. There may be things you may need to change in your character, a crabby temper, say, which you struggle to change. And you find that you simply do not have the power within yourself to make these changes.  And then, all the Christian cliches you’ve heard, Let go and let God make sense.

In the quietness of this moment, ask God to begin to make those internal changes in the molecules of your soul; ask God to do that thing in you which you cannot do yourself.

.

We are mindful that wherever we are, there is always another presence, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God. Our Lord and our God. He walks beside us as he walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Mindfulness is taking a moment to worship him, seated on the throne.

To trust Jesus means to take him seriously enough to do what he tells us to do. What is one thing you sense Christ asking you to do, or one change he is asking you to make? Ask him for help to do it.

 

We are mindful of the presence of the Spirit with us, who descended in the New Testament as a peaceful dove, and as tongues of fire. Who is our Counsellor and Comforter. Jesus promised that those who ask for the Spirit will receive him, and that the Spirit will teach us all things. What is the one thing you want the Spirit to teach you?

 

And that is our meditation for the day. God is with you. You are surrounded by his presence, Father, Son, Spirit. Go today, amid the day’s inevitable ups and downs, remaining aware that the powerful Lord God sits on his throne, in control, and is sovereign over the ebbs and flow of your life, its successes and apparent failures.  There is one with you, walking beside you,  the Lord Jesus Christ, who calls his disciples his friends. And you have the best teacher, the Holy Spirit, the Counsellor and Comforter, who on your request, will descend on you like a dove, and increasingly fill you. Ask him to bless and anoint you for the work which God has called you to do.

 

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
 May the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.


Read my new memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India (US) or UK.
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Comments

  1. Susan Golightly says

    March 15, 2023 at 7:14 pm

    Hello Anita, Sue G here. Thank you for including Michael in your address book, I’ve found your posts very helpful. Sadly, Michael died last year after deteriorating health problems. I would appreciate you e-mailing me though, as opposed to Michael. Hope all is well with you and your family. Love and God bless to you all. Sue.

    Reply
    • Anita Mathias says

      March 15, 2023 at 8:46 pm

      Susan, I am sorry to hear this. I don’t really know how to add email subscriptions, but I will try. However, please could you subscribe to the blog? Enter your email under the picture of Mother Teresa to the right top of the blog. Thank you. And God bless.

      Reply
  2. anne davison says

    February 24, 2023 at 10:17 am

    Loved this meditation podcast, thank you Anita. Very timely. More please … !

    Reply
    • Anita Mathias says

      February 24, 2023 at 8:24 pm

      Thank you very much, Anne. I am grateful for your encouragement, and will shortly be posting a new meditation on the whole earth is full of God’s glory

      Reply
  3. Jeff Payne says

    February 21, 2023 at 8:51 am

    Thank you I needed your message today.

    Reply
    • Anita Mathias says

      February 21, 2023 at 10:14 am

      Thank you, Jeff! That’s encouraging!

      Reply
    • Anita Mathias says

      February 25, 2023 at 11:01 am

      Thank you, Jeff. That’s so good to hear

      Reply
  4. Gill Millington says

    February 21, 2023 at 8:46 am

    Thank you for this unexpected refreshment this morning. Simple, calming and helpful. Your voice is soothing.

    Reply
    • Anita Mathias says

      February 21, 2023 at 10:23 am

      Thank you, Gill. I started this with some trepidation, and without the slightest idea of how to do a podcast, so your comment is precious and encouraging to me

      Reply

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Anita Mathias: About Me

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My Books

Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India

Wandering Between Two Worlds - Amazon.com
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Wandering Between Two Worlds: Essays on Faith and Art

Wandering Between Two Worlds - Amazon.com
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Francesco, Artist of Florence: The Man Who Gave Too Much

Francesco, Artist of Florence - Amazom.com
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The Story of Dirk Willems

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Premier Digital Awards 2015 - Finalist - Blogger of the year
Runner Up Christian Media Awards 2014 - Tweeter of the year

Recent Posts

  • Change your Life by Changing Your Thoughts
  • Do Not Be Afraid–But Be as Wise as a Serpent
  • Our Failures are the Cracks through which God’s Light Enters
  • The Whole Earth is Full of God’s Glory
  • Mindfulness is Remembering the Presence of Christ with Us
  • “Rosaries at the Grotto” A Chapter from my newly-published memoir, “Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India.”
  • An Infallible Secret of Joy
  • Thoughts on Writing my Just-published Memoir, & the Prologue to “Rosaries, Reading, Secrets”
  • Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India. My new memoir
  •  On Not Wasting a Desert Experience

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Edna O'Brien

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C S Lewis

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anita.mathias

https://anitamathias.com/2023/03/24/change-your-li https://anitamathias.com/2023/03/24/change-your-life-by-changing-how-you-think/
Hi Friends, I've recorded a brief meditation you might enjoy this weekend, on metanoia, often translated as repentance, but literally, a new mind, thinking differently (meta, change, nous, mind). This meditation considers vexing contemporary issues, body shape, diet, exercise, fasting, and losing weight, with metanoia, a new mind, attempting to see them with the mind of Christ. Relax and enjoy!
Image of Leonardo's John the Baptist, his final painting.
From my meditation on being as wise as a serpent h From my meditation on being as wise as a serpent https://anitamathias.com/2023/03/13/do-not-be-afraid-but-be-wise-as-a-serpent/
What is the wisdom Jesus recommends?
We go out as sheep among wolves,Christ says.
And, he adds, dangerously some wolves are dressed like sheep. 
They seem respectable-busy charity volunteers, Church people.
Oh, the noblest sentiments in the noblest words,
But they drain you of money, energy, time, your lifeblood. 
How then could a sheep, the most defenceless creature on earth,
Possibly be safe, among wolves,
Particularly wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing?
A sheep among wolves can be safe 
If it keeps its eyes on its Shepherd, and listens to him.
Check in with your instincts, and pay attention to them, 
for they can be God’s Spirit within you, warning you. 
Then Jesus warns his disciples, those sheep among wolves.
Be as wise, as phronimos as a serpent. 
The koine Greek word phronimos
means shrewd, sensible, cautious, prudent.
These traits don’t come naturally to me.
But if Christ commands that we be as wise as a serpent,
His Spirit will empower us to be so.
A serpent is a carnivorous reptile, 
But animals, birds and frogs are not easily caught.
So, the snake wastes no energy in bluster or self-promotion.
It does not boast of its plans; it does not show-off.
It is a creature of singular purpose, deliberate, slow-moving
For much of its life, it rests, camouflaged,
soaking in the sun, waiting and planning.
It’s patient, almost invisible, until the time is right
And then, it acts swiftly and decisively.
The wisdom of the snake then is in waiting
For the right time. It conserves energy,
Is warmed by the sun, watches, assesses, 
and when the time is right, it moves swiftly
And very effectively. 
However, as always, Jesus balances his advice:
Be as wise as a serpent, yes, but also as blameless 
akeraios  as a dove. As pure, as guileless, as good. 
Be wise, but not only to provide for yourself and family
But, also, to fulfil your calling in the world,
The one task God has given you, and no one else
Which you alone, and no one else, can do, 
And which God will increasingly reveal to you,
as you wait and ask.
Hi Friends, Here's a meditation is on the differen Hi Friends, Here's a meditation is on the difference between fear and prudence. It looks at Jesus's advice to be as wise as a serpent, but as blameless as dove. Wise as a serpent... because we go out as sheep among wolves... and among wolves disguised in sheep's clothing.
A meditation on what the wisdom of the snake is... wisdom I wish I had learned earlier, though it's never too late.
Subscribe on Apple podcasts, or on my blog, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's widely available. Thanks
https://anitamathias.com/2023/03/13/do-not-be-afraid-but-be-wise-as-a-serpent/
Once she was a baby girl. And now, she has, today, Once she was a baby girl. And now, she has, today, been offered her first job as a junior doctor. Delighted that our daughter, Irene, will be working in Oxford for the next two Foundation years. Oxford University Hospitals include the John Radcliffe Hospital, and the Churchill Hospital, both excellent.
But first she’s leaving to work at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto for two months for her elective. 
Congratulations, Irene! And God bless you!
https:/ Images from a winter in Oxford—my belove https:/ Images from a winter in Oxford—my beloved book group, walks near Christ Church, and Iffley, and a favourite tree, down the country lane, about two minutes from my house. I love photographing it in all weathers. 
And I've written a new meditation--ah, and a deeply personal one. This one is a meditation on how our failures provide a landing spot for God's power and love to find us. They are the cracks through which the light gets in. Without our failures, we wouldn't know we needed God--and so would miss out on something much greater than success!!
It's just 6 minutes, if you'd like to listen...and as always, there's a full transcript if you'd like to read it. Thank you for the kind feedback on the meditations I've shared already.
https://anitamathias.com/2023/03/03/our-failures-are-the-cracks-through-which-gods-light-enters/
So last lot of photos from our break in Majorca. F So last lot of photos from our break in Majorca. First image in a stalagmite and stalactite cave through which an undergroun river wended—but one with no trace of Gollum.
It’s definitely spring here… and our garden is a mixture of daffodils, crocus and hellebores.
And here I’ve recorded a short 5 minute meditation on lifting our spirits and practising gratitude by noticing that the whole world is full of God’s glory. Do listen.
https://anitamathias.com/2023/02/24/the-whole-earth-is-full-of-gods-glory/
Our family was in Majorca for 9 sunny days, and he Our family was in Majorca for 9 sunny days, and here are some pictures.
Also, I have started a meditation podcast, Christian meditation with Anita Mathias. Have a listen. https://anitamathias.com/2023/02/20/mindfulness-is-remembering-the-presence-of-christ-with-us/
Feedback welcome!
If you'll forgive me for adding to the noise of th If you'll forgive me for adding to the noise of the world on Black Friday, my memoir ,Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India, is on sale on Kindle all over the world for a few days. 
Carolyn Weber (who has written "Surprised by Oxford," an amazing memoir about coming to faith in Oxford https://amzn.to/3XyIftO )  has written a lovely endorsement of my memoir:
"Joining intelligent winsomeness with an engaging style, Anita Mathias writes with keen observation, lively insight and hard earned wisdom about navigating the life of thoughtful faith in a world of cultural complexities. Her story bears witness to how God wastes nothing and redeems all. Her words sing of a spirit strong in courage, compassion and a pervasive dedication to the adventure of life. As a reader, I have been challenged and changed by her beautifully told and powerful story - so will you."
The memoir is available on sale on Amazon.co.uk at https://amzn.to/3u0Ib8o and on Amazon.com at https://amzn.to/3u0IBvu and is reduced on the other Amazon sites too.
Thank you, and please let me know if you read and enjoy it!! #memoir #indianchildhood #india
Second birthday party. Determinedly escaping! So i Second birthday party. Determinedly escaping!
So it’s a beautiful November here in Oxford, and the trees are blazing. We will soon be celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary…and are hoping for at least 33 more!! 
And here’s a chapter from my memoir of growing up Catholic in India… rosaries at the grotto, potlucks, the Catholic Family Movement, American missionary Jesuits, Mangaloreans, Goans, and food, food food…
https://anitamathias.com/2022/11/07/rosaries-at-the-grotto-a-chapter-from-my-newly-published-memoir-rosaries-reading-steel-a-catholic-childhood-in-india/
Available on Amazon.co.uk https://amzn.to/3Apjt5r and on Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3gcVboa and wherever Amazon sells books, as well as at most online retailers.
#birthdayparty #memoir #jamshedpur #India #rosariesreadingsecrets
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