gdp's Comments

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Mindfulness TOC

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:30:14 +0000

I think you might be talking about Binaural Beats. My understanding is that they are specific frequencies in a stereo so that each ear is getting a different frequency. The theory is that these can change the frequency of the brain waves. This is then a way to induce a relaxed state. Part of the effect is the power of suggestion, but there does seem to be some promise that there is a connection to actual binaural beats themselves. Relaxation is very good for over all mental health. Meditation, mindfulness, relaxing sounds/music are all examples of effective relaxation. My caution is to be aware of the spiritual and philosophical underpinnings of the approach. The biggest of these is the idea of emptying (as you mentioned before). Emptying makes a person susceptible to the power of suggestion (emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually). When that happens then you want to make sure the message you are filling with is aligned with God's Truth. Meditation is an effective way to grow spiritually as well. I believe that meditation on God's word can be very enlightening, healing, growing, and relaxing. I am not sure that meditation without spiritual undertones is possible. We have a tendency to view ourselves as divided between emotional, social, psychological, physical, and spiritual. These divisions are useful in understanding these different areas of our lives, but you cannot easily separate them in application to real life. Each of them is connected and dependent on the others. All of these combined together make you who you are. You could no more separate spirituality from meditation than you could separate your spirit from your body. But that is not just meditation that is all areas of life. Consider: "For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart." ~ Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB) This is one reason I would encourage meditation on God's Word. This verse tells me that all of those areas mentioned above are addressed through His word and it is effective in accomplishing it's work. Hope this helps. God Bless You ~BJ

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : The Dark Side of Agape (Agapao)

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:46:16 +0000

Bill: Thank you for the blessing. I was also drawn to study this when I read 1 John 2:15. I was confused about the use of Agapao in referring to love of the world. After searching many commentaries I concluded that interpreting Agape as divine love was based in tradition. The problem is that Agape in other greek literature (contemporary to the time the Bible was written) does not mean divine love. So a best it is a word that Christian writers adapted to mean divine love or the alternate (which is my preference) is that it is God that makes Agape divine. My training in Greek and theology is mostly self-study so I fear I have no standing in the scholarly community. I think though with people like Peter (really all of Christ's Disciples) from the New testament that you and I are in good company in that respect. Blessings to you, ~BJ

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Mindfulness TOC

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:10:17 +0000

PS I cannot say whether the guided meditations that you have should or should not be avoided since I am not aware of the content. I would look to the source and see if it is fitting with Christian faith. Pray over it. God's Spirit will provide convection one way or the other. ~BJ

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Mindfulness TOC

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:05:51 +0000

Chris: I want you to know that I am praying for you. First and most important start with God's word. Here are two searches to get you started on a word study of meditation and anxiety: http://net.bible.org/#!search/Meditation http://net.bible.org/#!search/Anxiety I would study, pick out, and meditate on some of the vereses that are meaningful to you. Try to discover the verse's context, meaning, and personal application. See here: http://bjs-spot.blogspot.com/2009/08/awareness-of... I would recomend some readings as well after you finish these initial meditations. Practicing the presence of God by Brother Lawerence (Pubic Domain) would be a good book to start with. Praying For You, ~BJ

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Mindfulness TOC

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:53:56 +0000

Thank you for sharing. I hope you find this blog useful in your development of mindfulness practice.

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Worry

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:57:06 +0000

Thank you for the kind words. It is my prayer answered that this would be helpful to others. God Bless You.

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : How to Beat the Doldrums

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:35:18 +0000

I believe it was part of the discussion in the presentation. Basically identifying the spiritual effects and the dangers of each of these. I do not recall the specifics, but here are some of my thoughts on each of these. Complacency Effect: Inaction Danger: Not making change that is needed (lack of repentance) Discontent Effect: Increasing bitterness toward situation or person Danger: Broken relationships, overreaction, lack of peace Boredom Effect: seeking out some sort of stimulation Danger: In the pursuit of being happy you pick up unhealthy and/or unholy habits. Sadness Effect: Chronic sadness becomes despair. Danger: Giving up Emptiness Effect: Void of things of the Spirit Danger: grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit Dullness Effect: lack of joy Danger: Taking for granted the blessings of life.

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : How to Beat the Doldrums

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:39:41 +0000

Try this address: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dgvghvmr_...

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Resolutions

Mon, 3 Jan 2011 13:07:29 +0000

Thank you!

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Calming the Mind (CALM)

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:34:32 +0000

Thank You

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Thankful for Friends that Make me Think and Help me with my Plank

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:17:00 +0000

I am thinking I need to go back to the pulpit to clarify some issues that others may be thinking. Thank you for this feedback it is very useful to me. I cannot know what God did or did not say to another person. However, it is my firm belief that if someone says something that contradicts the Bible then it was not God that they were listening to. "First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21 (HCSB) That being said I believe that with the passage in Matthew could be understood that we are not to condemn others in a rejecting manner. Our judgment should always be for the purpose of restoration of the individual or for the edification of the Body (Church). We should never take God's judgment into our own hands. I have much more to say on this but I am thinking when a preach in couple weeks I will clarify. If my friends following me on the web have questions I am sure that the congregation does as well.

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Thankful for Friends that Make me Think and Help me with my Plank

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:06:19 +0000

Thank you for your prayers! I agree that Jesus did not like false teachers. In this case I do not believe my friends offering a different point of view are false teachers. In fact I believe that they do care for me so as to not be one. You have got me thinking about another sermon to clarify how one can be "good fruit" inspectors without playing God's role of judge or being a hypocrite.

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Sermon: The Time is Now (7/11/10)

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:56:41 +0000

See this post for my follow up comments to some off line feedback I have been given. http://bjs-spot.blogspot.com/2010/07/thankful-for...

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Defining \"Christian Mindfulness\"

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:24:18 +0000

David it is good to have your comments here. Thank you for sharing your story and I am very glad that mindfulness was a path toward resolving your spiritual "identity crisis." Since you indicated that mindfulness was not about emptying I would say that I agree with you to the extent that mindfulness does not have to be emptying. However, Buddhist teaching is very clear that emptying is a desired state. The specific teaching is Sunyata. The goal is to use mindfulness meditation to empty the mind until you reach a place of voidness or the absence of sensing, In this you release the anxiety by realizing that anxiety is not a real phenomena but a perception of the state of things that leads to suffering. However, in Christian teaching suffering is relieved by being aware of your relationship with God through Christ, coupled with spiritual awareness by the filling of God's Holy Spirit. Mindfulness can be a vehicle for either destination. I obviously as a Christian advocate the latter over the former. Good Comment thank you.

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Sexual Intimacy

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:37:32 +0000

Someone asked be about men's tendency to be be visual in sexuality making looking at other women and having images of other women as normal. I thought it was such a good question I am posting my answer here. One of the problems with normal is that it is defined as what the majority does or believes is normal. For example from a spiritual stand point it is normal to sin. However sin is not a desired state to be in. I believe that if men desire sexual intimacy with their wives they have to discipline themselves to have only eyes for the one they love. Otherwise Their hardwire means they are bonding with all of those images of women. It is possible that the bonding would become so defuse that they lose the bond to their wife (biologically speaking). That being said overcoming biology is next to impossible to do. So it takes great resolve especially if they have been doing this for a long time. Old ruts do not change with a simple commitment. This is my opinion though. Good Question! ~BJ

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Sexual Intimacy

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:10:27 +0000

Yes I would agree.

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Resolutions

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:31:57 +0000

Amen

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Faith Informs Awareness and Action

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:15:47 +0000

I am considering developing these ideas about mindfulness further and possibly seeking to publish it. I would welcome any feedback in this regard. Thank You all for the wonderful feedback you have given. I am humbled that anyone would want to read what I have written. God Bless You. ~BJ

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : Setting Your Mind on the Spirit

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:04:29 +0000

Thank you both for the kind words. I am encouraged and blessed. ~BJ

Tamin Derek: The Way of Integrity : To Know and Be Known

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:50:38 +0000

Thank you for your kind words. ~BJ