Is it wrong to "clear the mind"?

[selenah]

So the other day I found this weird DJ type music by Protek and it talked about clearing your mind. That made me wonder, doesn't the Bible say that we shouldn't clear our mind. I know every time I've let my mind go blank I either ended up depressed or terrified of something. I hear some people say that clearing your mind is a way to deal with stress but....idk.

 

[resurrection33]

So the other day I found this weird DJ type music by Protek and it talked about clearing your mind. That made me wonder, doesn't the Bible say that we shouldn't clear our mind. I know every time I've let my mind go blank I either ended up depressed or terrified of something. I hear some people say that clearing your mind is a way to deal with stress but....idk.

This is new to me. I don’t think "clearing one’s mind" can be helpful in dealing with problems, other than to momentarily relieve one of stress. I'm not aware that the Bible speaks to this.

 

[1still_waters]

Not in the new agey, non-Christian way.

Our job is to fill our mind with God's word/God/God's ways/whatever you wanna call it, I know someone will nit pick this to death but you know what I mean.

We should clear our mind of sin.

 

[jandian]

Well an empty mind is a good place for demons to visit; which may very well be the reason for your subsequent depression....God said He will keep us in perfect peace if we keep our minds stayed on Him.....not empty. Kiss Kiss

 

[selenah]

But if someone's saved and they let their minds go blank, that person would still be saved. How can demons possess a saved person?

 

[mori]

When most people "clear their minds," all they're doing is stopping the distractions they're usually addicted to. When the TV is no longer blaring, when the children are tucked away, when we're not having a good laugh, the things that bother us, the things we've been avoiding, tend to float up into the mind. We may not even understand them or be able to point to where they came from.

This is why people who go on long, solitary prayer retreats sometimes run back to civilization screaming.

Unresolved nonsense will bubble up when you're no longer stuffing it down. To have a completely clear mind, you've got to have all your "issues" handled before you sit down, but this isn't really feasible for most people.

Better - you have to be ready for and willing to endure it. Understand that these things will rise and offer them, one by one, to the one in whose presence you're trying to rest. Carefully and with attention, you have unwrapped a wound and the exposure stings. Offer it up to the healer.

 

[jandian]

one would still be saved... however, our actions will still have consequences... If you are saved and you murdered a man in a fit of rage, you will still go to jail....if you slept with someone who was HIV in a weak moment and you repent you will still be saved ; but may may still get HIV....

if you practice spiritual things that are not Godly you can reap the spiritual consequences......But dont worry repentance and prayer will fic that right up in Jesus name. Amen

 

[selenah]

When most people "clear their minds," all they're doing is stopping the distractions they're usually addicted to. When the TV is no longer blaring, when the children are tucked away, when we're not having a good laugh, the things that bother us, the things we've been avoiding, tend to float up into the mind. We may not even understand them or be able to point to where they came from.

This is why people who go on long, solitary prayer retreats sometimes run back to civilization screaming.

Unresolved nonsense will bubble up when you're no longer stuffing it down. To have a completely clear mind, you've got to have all your "issues" handled before you sit down, but this isn't really feasible for most people.

Better - you have to be ready for and willing to endure it. Understand that these things will rise and offer them, one by one, to the one in whose presence you're trying to rest. Carefully and with attention, you have unwrapped a wound and the exposure stings. Offer it up to the healer.

So...that would make clearing the mind a good thing.

 

[selenah]

Not in the new agey, non-Christian way.

Our job is to fill our mind with God's word/God/God's ways/whatever you wanna call it, I know someone will nit pick this to death but you know what I mean.

We should clear our mind of sin.

...and this would make clearing the mind a bad thing.

 

[selenah]

Very confusing

 

[mori]

So...that would make clearing the mind a good thing.

Done correctly, in the context of a fuller faith, sure. I don't think it's necessarily opposed to other posts. It's good to eat dinner sometimes and it's good to walk the dog. The benefits of one activity don't mean you can't benefit from the other.

In the same way, we can rest in God's presence sometimes and at other times actively meditate on his word/ways/whatever you want to call it. The two aren't opposed.

 

[selenah]

Isn't clearing the mind what people do when they go into trances? Isn't that bad?

 

[mori]

Isn't clearing the mind what people do when they go into trances? Isn't that bad?

Is it? Then why don't we just call it trance? No, I don't think they're synonymous and I think we make that clear above.

 

[selenah]

Is it? Then why don't we just call it trance? No, I don't think they're synonymous and I think we make that clear above.

Yeah...idk. I've heard my aunt and other Christians talk about clearing the mind as being wrong. I was wondering why they would say that if clearing the mind is just getting away from distractions.

 

[resurrection33]

Why would anyone want a blank mind? Wouldn’t you get bored?

 

[mori]

Yeah...idk. I've have heard my aunt and other Christians talk about clearing the mind as being wrong. I was wondering why they would say that if clearing the mind is just getting away from distractions.

Clearing the mind isn't getting away from distractions. That's the common misunderstanding I talk about above. As you found, even once you've gotten rid of distractions, you bring depression, etc. with you. Your mind isn't clear - quite the contrary.

Why would anyone want a blank mind? Wouldn’t you get bored?

We are called to be still and know that he is God. For some, this has meant a clear mind so that God and the soul can commune without the interference of mundane concerns. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert - some of us don't believe he spent that entire time in verbal, intercessory prayer.

Boredom is not necessarily a bad thing. It's good to be able to step away from constant stimulation, don't you think? Otherwise, you're addicted.

 

[Rosewater]

Psalm 1:2

but their delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.

I think the idea is to think on the things of God, and the things of God permeate all things in life.

 

[selenah]

Sooo it all depends on what someone is clearing their mind of and for. Okay, that makes sense now.

 

[resurrection33]

Boredom is not necessarily a bad thing. It's good to be able to step away from constant stimulation, don't you think? Otherwise, you're addicted.

It wouldn’t be good to be permanently bored.

 

[mori]

It wouldn’t be good to be permanently bored.

I would suggest less than 40 days for most people, especially those who have jobs.