Spirituality and Mindfulness: Exploring the Inner Dimensions of The Christian Faith
The article explores the connection between spirituality, mindfulness, and arithmetic progression. It uses the life of Joseph Ayo Babalola, a Nigerian spiritual leader, as a case study. The article highlights the importance of consistent practice in spiritual growth, likening it to arithmetic progression. It also distinguishes between religion and spirituality, emphasizing the personal and flexible nature of spirituality. The article encourages readers to embrace mindfulness, meditation, and self-discovery to deepen their relationship with God and cultivate a purposeful life.
Using the concept of Arithmetic Progression(AP) to explain spirituality and mindfulness is helpful. Arithmetic Progression is a sequence of numbers in order that the common difference of any two successive numbers is a constant value. This means that the difference between any two consecutive numbers is always the same.
The first term (a): This represents the beginning of your spiritual life. It begins from the moment you accept and believe in the salvation of Jesus Christ. It is forsaking all things considered to be sin and pursuing the righteousness of God. It reflects the essence of Matthew 6:33, reinforcing the importance of seeking God's kingdom above material things.
Common difference (d): In the journey of faith, there are practices needed to be in place in order to enhance the quality of your decision. These include; studying the Bible, praying, listening to sound sermons and reading edifying spiritual books. This aligns with the instruction to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), drawing attention to deliberate effort to living a life that is pleasant to God.
Progression (n): The act of consistent engagement in these practices leads to a steady growth. Without any doubt, consciously striving to be a better version of yourself everyday results in a clear difference that is glaring for anyone to see. Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it”. This emphasizes the importance of meditating on God's word and being intentional about your thoughts, speech and action.
Historical and Cultural Perspective on Spirituality: A Case
Study of Joseph Ayo Babalola
Joseph Ayo Babalola was born on 25 April, 1904, in Odo-Owa, Kwara State, Nigeria to the family of Chief David Rotimi and Madam Marta Alabi. He attended the St. Peter's Anglican Church in Odo-Owa. Joseph Ayo Babalola's call to ministry began in October 1928, when he reportedly experienced a series of divine revelations and visions while working as a steamroller operator with the Public Works Department in Akure. He claimed to have heard God's voice instructing him to leave his job and dedicate his life to preaching the gospel. This divine encounter marked the beginning of his ministry, which was characterized by miraculous healings, prophetic revelations, and powerful revival meetings that drew large crowds and led to mass conversions.
He was one of the founders of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). He lived a life of intense prayer and fasting, encouraging believers to seek personal relationships with God. His teachings emphasized moral integrity, hard work and community cohesion, shaping the communities he impacted. He was an advocate of education and literacy, recognising them as intrinsic factors in personal development. Joseph Ayo Babalola's life was crucial in the development of a vibrant, indigenous form of Christianity in Nigeria, marked by a powerful emphasis on faith, healing, and spiritual revival.
Religion vs Spirituality
The Set theory will be used to explain the concepts of spirituality and religion. Set theory is the mathematical theory of well-determined collections, called sets, of objects that are called members, or elements, of the set.
Universal Set (U): Spiritual growth
It includes consistent prayer and the study of God's words, community involvement, service to others, reflection, and practices of spiritual principles. These elements, such as meditation, regular engagement with the Bible, acts of kindness and consistently applying spiritual principles in life, collectively foster one's personal and spiritual growth.
Psalm 119: 105 states: “ Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path.” This verse
underscores the effectiveness of God's word in guiding believers through their spiritual journey.
Set R: Religion
It is structured and faith-based. It includes elements attributed to specific organizations that have hierarchies with leaders or priests who oversee religious teachings and community affairs.Religions often have belief systems that outline the fundamental values, principles and teachings of the faith. For example, the Ten Commandments in the Bible were presented to Moses to guide the Israelites from sin. They are still applied today in the context of explaining the Scriptures and moral lessons to all.
Set S: Spirituality
It includes elements related to personal beliefs, practices. It is flexible and more concerned about self- discovery, well-being and personal development beyond traditional religious frameworks. Inner practices such as Journaling, that is, taking notes of words that pique your curiosity and seeking their meanings, can be a source of self-improvement. Additionally, living in alignment with one's values nurtures personal integrity and purpose.
Intersection of Religion and Spirituality: Mindfulness
Mindfulness refers to the practice of being present in the moment, with awareness and acceptance of one's thoughts, feelings without judgment. In the Christian faith, mindfulness is evident in contemplative prayer – a form of silent prayer which involves focusing on sacred words and gently returning to them when distracted.
Case Study: The Lord's Prayer( Luke 11: 1- 4)
In this Bible passage, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray with intention and mindfulness. The prayer emphasizes honouring God by acknowledging His holiness and sovereignity, seeking forgiveness, depending on Him for daily provision, forgiving others, and seeking guidance and deliverance from temptation.
Inner Dimensions of The Christian Faith
1.Belief and Trust:
Faith involves trust in the existence of God. In Hebrews 11: 6, God talks about the doggedness of absolute commitment to Him, even when circumstances are challenging. Thus, belief in a Supreme being is a proof of your faith in Him. A biblical example of a man who demonstrated absolute faith in God was Abraham, who, when he was asked to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, obeyed without hesitation. God reaffirmed his covenant with him, promising to bless Him, and multiply his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as sand on the seashore.
2. Hope:
Hebrews 11: 1 says: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen.”It embodies the confidence that you foresee in your heart the desires coming to pass, despite not yet seeing the realities.
The story of the disciple, Peter, who took money from the mouth of a fish at Jesus's command is an example of hope which was based on the expectation that Jesus will provide, led to an action based on that assurance.
3. Conviction:
In a race, there's always a starting point and a finishing line. Similarly, the mark of faith begins with hearing the word of God. Exposure to the word of God is essential for cultivating faith. The more you hear and give thoughts to God's words, the stronger your faith becomes.
Challenges and Misconceptions about Spirituality and
Mindfulness
- Challenges
Misapplication: It is quite unfortunate that certain individuals hide under the guise of being spiritual in order to conceal their evil tracks, blindly believing they are right in their own ways because their conscience is dead. There have been numerous cases of spiritual leaders who engage in unethical activities, such as sexual misconduct, while using their spiritual authority as a cover for their wrongdoings.
Time and commitment:The practices of spirituality and mindfulness require time and consistency because it can't be attained in a day. It is a journey that cannot be rushed especially for those looking for immediate
results. To cultivate perseverance, set clear intentions, establish a routine, start small and gradually increase your practice intentionally. Also, engage with mentors or in spiritual communities that can provide guidance and support.
- Misconceptions
Spiritual people are always happy:
While spirituality can contribute to a sense of purpose, inner peace, and contentment, it doesn't guarantee constant happiness. Devoted individuals still experience the full range of human emotions, including sadness, frustration, and anxiety. Thus, the essence of spirituality is to help people cope with these emotions more effectively, fostering resilience and providing a framework for understanding and navigating life's challenges.
Spiritual people avoid all material pleasures:
Some people are surprised to learn that the riches of certain Christians are acquired through legitimate means or frown at those who enjoy material comforts. Spirituality isn't about looking haggard as a sign of service to God; it's about finding balance and not being overly attached to material possessions.
In summary, the ongoing journey of exploring the inner dimensions of faith requires a conscious and consistent effort. Spirituality and mindfulness go hand in hand, and embracing both paves the way to a deeper relationship with God. These practices involve continuous learning by studying the Bible, praying, self-awareness and incorporating mindfulness in everyday existence.
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