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Article first published in Blogcritics.
You hear a lot about living a healthy lifestyle, but what does that mean?
Meditation and love are very much a part of healthy lifestyles, according to columnist Mark Bittman, who stated in a New York Times Opinionator article, “For the first time in history, lifestyle diseases…kill more people than communicable ones…But they are preventable, and you prevent them the same way you cause them, lifestyle…diet, along with exercise, meditation and intangibles like love prevent and even reverse disease.”
I find it interesting that he didn’t list meditation under intangibles. Yet I think meditation and love, as well as prayer, should be included in this category. The Meditation Society of America gives the distinction between meditation and prayer by saying “that during prayer, we ask God for something, and during meditation, God speaks to us.” But for me, my prayers are directed to a God who is always present and available. Since God is as close as my thought, I am able to affirm qualities like health to be a vital element of a Christian lifestyle.
The intangibles of prayer and meditation are so important that Dr. Andrew Weil mentions these qualities in every book he has written since his first in 1972. In Spontaneous Happiness, he suggests that the use of these intangibles is a “powerful way to open thought to new, more spiritual ideas.”
I get the same sense of power and purpose from an early 20th century Christian writer who “withdrew from the world to meditate, to pray, to search the Scriptures.” When asked about this time in her life, Mary Baker Eddy writes that “it answered my questions as to the process by which I was restored to health.” (Pulpit and Press)
Improving or restoring health is a core goal in maintaining a spiritual lifestyle. Spiritual lifestyle experts Keith and Sharmai Amber suggest that an ongoing effective lifestyle needs to include something beyond diet and exercise – a spiritual life, which would not include What do I want? Instead it would include What am I supposed to learn from the conditions and circumstances in my life? Acting on the answers to this question leads to self-mastery, enlightenment, service, compassion, balance, and wisdom being chosen as the alternate behavior.
I have found a healthy lifestyle comes from the qualities inherent in Christian meditation, prayer, and love. These elements can give purpose to maintaining the regimens of proper exercising and eating. Without inner meaning from the intangibles, the daily schedule of diet and exercise would become burdensome. So each day I quench my hunger and thirst first thing with a diet of scriptural study and prayer. This quiet time has helped me filter out many counterproductive thoughts; then appropriate physical activities fall into place resulting in a healthy lifestyle.
What have you found that helps you lead a healthier life?
About the author
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The word/term “Christian” means more and more to me almost every day. Following the teachings, prayer, spiritual practice and ‘life-style’ (if you will) of Christ Jesus has proven to me the very works he accomplished. Mary Baker Eddy’s book, “Science & Health” has given me the ‘Science’ undergirding Christ Jesus teachings and works. I have been healed of addiction, disease, lack and personality traits that are not conducive to personal health, harmonious relationships nor meaningful employment.
Taking the time and opportunity to “step away” from the bombardment of the world’s clamor and having some quiet time praying, some quiet time letting go of the cares and concerns of daily life and listening to the good that God is sending to me, helps so much. Contemplating His/Her goodness, love, and care in my life opens up my thought to solutions for the challenges of life. The results of turning to the Lord’s Prayer for instance reassures me that God gives us what we need for each day– “give us this day our daily bread”. Knowing that there is an answer for each need each day whether it is better health, repairing a friendship or finding a job, keeps me listening. In this spiritual quiet time, I find that useful ideas and answers follow.Putting them into practice renews my thought and brings healing and a better, healthier atmosphere to my daily interactions with others.
It was interesting to learn from a NY Times article that “for the first time in history, lifestyle diseases kill more people than communicable ones….”
Obviously it’s proof that our personal decisions about how we conduct our lives is of great importance. Developing the wisdom to make the right choices for a healthy and productive life is something I like to think about.
For me it works best through daily prayer. One definition of prayer I especially like includes a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God’s glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits.
When I pray like this, my focus is on God Almighty and away from myself. That always elevates my thinking beyond my own personal concerns, and I experience a peaceful serenity, dominion and self-control over my life.
Here is a prayer I love: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalms 19:14).
Thank you for introducing this stimulating topic.