God-Consciousness and The Power of Mindfulness | Part II

By opting for a mindset dedicated towards mindfulness in our thought and emotional management, we are able to actively get to know and understand our real selves — the areas in which we may require work, as well as encouraging the elements of positive thinking that breed positive actions.

There are great benefits to be reaped from the actions that result from this mindset, such as mindfulness in prayer, “contemplation being worth 70 years of worship”, as well as the highly recommended act of self-accountability and meditation over one’s daily actions. We can reap these benefits by tracing back the root of our actions, to judge our own thoughts and to recognise and acknowledge the thinking patterns that may sustain negative actions. To provide the thoughts which may be buried deep within, with the outlet to be expressed in their raw form, and then to be managed, deciphered, organised and placed in their rightful place, is the active process of cleansing out the internal transience, in order for it to be possible to make space to house the eternal. It is the prioritisation of thoughts which align to God, and the discarding of thoughts which do not. It is consistency in upholding this practice, so over time, the soul is aware it is to be held to account.

Choosing thought patterns that lead to sins, is actively shutting God out of the heart. And the absence of God will always lead to restlessness inside the soul. Because sins, doubts and uncertainty in knowing one’s own self, rob a human being of their peace, as it places active barriers between the soul and God. When they act as barriers, the soul then sees veils in the place of God’s light and guidance. The more these sins formulate into habits, the more these veils then solidify into walls. These walls make it very difficult for a human being to tell the difference between right and wrong: the normalisation of sin is what leads to more and more. Where there are walls; there is little space for the light of God to enter the home of the heart, therefore a heart is also robbed of its peace as the intruders of vice create more and more access to the sanctuary of God within. On the contrary, the active and conscious presence of God, and enabling His presence to be deep within as opposed to superficially related to what may become mindless action or ritual, is what impacts deep internal change.

Repentance is the process of removing those walls and replacing them with windows of light. Yet the soul committed to the avoidance of sin seeks no barrier at all to exist between itself and the direct penetration of God’s light. And thus God makes His presence more and more established in the heart of the believer who prioritises Him above all else. His favours are not limited, nor bound, and the elation of peace is gifted to the one who honours Him: The Love of God is too beautiful to be lowered by the minuscule, lower, base-level of sins arising from an ego untamed. So the soul falls in love with the process of honouring Him. Even when this soul makes mistakes, it recognises the fact that it’s okay — God doesn’t seek perfection from us which is the impossible. He just wants to know that we’re sincerely trying.

Psychology says the power of meditation (when operating within mindful frameworks) can even aid the rewiring of the brain that has been impacted by the blows of severe trauma. If it is possible to change the dimensions of the brain that has been altered as a result of the worst of life’s circumstances, it illustrates how the mind has the power to choose to liberate itself on the premise of daily mindfulness of one’s own thoughts, behaviours and actions. The power of the mind and the trajectory of one’s thoughts manifests as both bodily and spiritual health. To live a healthy existence is to maintain equilibrium between the body and soul, and to cultivate a healthy spirit, is to observe the thought patterns that empower or disempower the presence of God within.

The beginning and end goal of internal accountability, meditation over thoughts and contemplation over self-rectification, is God. The seeker of God creates an intentionality to create an internal safe space within which is devoid of external noise. By actively discarding irrelevant thoughts, and challenging negative thoughts through one’s daily life, one makes space for the flourishing of beneficial sentiments pertaining to oneself and one’s life.

Making this space and then filling it with the love of God is an equation which correlates to deep changes, within and externally. Without emptying ourselves of ourselves, good deeds become like roses that are planted in fields of nestles and weeds. Without wishing to discard of negative patterns, the roses will soon enough drown in the surrounding mess, and will find it difficult to reach the light as a result. But by decluttering internally, we find space to plant the seeds of growth which will make a longer lasting, impactful change. The very steps where God says “take one step towards me, and I will run towards you.” In this space, when you choose to walk to Him, so He whose name is al-Salam may run towards you: this is the space in which a human being feels the most real Peace one can encounter. Inside the heart – when at home with Him – when at home with oneself.

Disclaimer: this article does not pertain to various mental health challenges that may impact one’s relationships with thought patterns, whereby it is always advised to seek appropriate guidance.