Page 70 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 2

ISSUE TWO | SEPT/OCT
indfulness is simply
the art of paying
the right mind or
attention to others
Mor to circumstances.
It is directly against mindlessness
which is the attitude that doesn’t
pay mind to others or which pays
attention to things that have
no real value. Mindfulness is a
beautiful attitude and attribute
to have in one’s life. It has the
ability to create space for unity
and collective purpose, which
every nation on earth really needs
right now. While mindfulness
stems from love, loveliness and
true compassion; mindlessness
stems from self-centeredness
and selfish pursuit of gains,
which always undermines the
spirit of brotherhood. Concerning
compassion, scriptures paint
several pictures of Jesus relating
to the multitudes of people
that thronged Him each day,
with compassion and absolute
mindfulness of their pains,
weaknesses and circumstances.
His mindful attitude towards
them, which created compassion
within Him, always birthed healing
and miracles among the people.
Healing does happen when we are
mindful of others.
Every nation on the earth has a
culture and way of life that sets
them apart from others. Unique
behavioral patterns that reveal the
true heart of the people and what
they believe and stand for. Some
of these behavioral patterns were
passed down from generations of
those who lived in that manner,
and some were created afresh.
One of such nations with unique
behavioral patterns is Japan.
The Japanese people are widely
known for their art of mindfulness.
Mindfulness for a Japanese is not
just something they adopt along
the way, it’s what they are taught
as children and that which they
are compelled by what they see
others do, to also do. For many
people who may not know what
mindfulness looks like in real life,
70 HEALING - RESTORING - REBIRTHING - AFRICA
see the examples below. ingrained in nature and the things
Suppose you are getting late for we see, that we really don’t have
work and rushing to catch the any excuses for not living out the
peak hour bus or train. As soon as patterns of love and mindfulness.
the bus door opens, you may run See what the Apostle Paul wrote
inside to grab a seat (or even find “For the commandments, “You shall
a place to stand) without actually not commit adultery,” “You shall
waiting for people to get off first. not murder,” “You shall not steal,”
And even though you know you “You shall not bear false witness,”
are being downright offensive (to “You shall not covet,” and if there
others), you nevertheless do it, is any other commandment, are all
because of the fear of getting to summed up in this saying, namely,
work late or because you really “You shall love your neighbor as
don’t care about who is hurt or not, yourself.” Love does no harm to
as long as you have your own way. a neighbor; therefore love is the
Let’s take another example... how fulfillment of the law. Rom 13:9-11.
many times have you held the In other words, He who loves his
door for others who are walking neighbor...will not steal from him.
just behind you or climbed up an The public servant that loves his
escalator in a queue? Not often countrymen...will not steal the
you would say. Or how many pension funds meant for men
times have you seen a kid in and women who have labored for
your neighborhood doing what years in active service. The pastor
is not right and then you correct who loves God and His people will
him or report him to his parents not undermine that trust to defraud
for appropriate discipline? Not them. The house owner who loves
often also. And this is because God, will not throw out a tenant
we have been lied to as to how for not paying rent on time. The
to live without paying attention teacher who loves his teenage
to others. The art of practicing girls and wants a bright future for
restraint by paying attention, them will not defile them sexually.
displaying perseverance is called The list goes on and on.
Mindfulness. It is a beautiful art of
living and something that Japan as Of what use is the unity of nations
a country has mastered over time. if we don’t learn from one another.
If Jesus modeled for us the way
He who loves of love, compassion, mindfulness,
Love and mindfulness work and if Japan has perfected or
together. Love is the beginning mastered the art of mindfulness
of all things good and godly, and it works in their society
while mindfulness, coupled with with such ease and peace, how
compassion is the force by which about other nations, especially
love is expressed. Love is God Afrikans learning the way of Jesus’
and God is Love and it is He who compassion and the Japanese art
began all things in love. Meaning of mindfulness. Afrikan nations can
that there is nothing a man can ingrain the learning of mindfulness
do outside of love that will please in the curriculum that our children
God. Yes the bible says without are taught from, instead of the
faith it is impossible to please God, false curricula that programs
however, faith comes from hearing them like robots following the
the word of God who is Love. So chase of vanity, through unhealthy
love is the beginning of all faith competition for class and position.
and compassion. And therefore, The change that Afrika is looking
the only way to live. for is contained within her own
The words of Jesus are so clear as decisions and choices. For if the
to how man is meant to live with Doctorate and the Masters degree
man right here on earth. The ways holders that we have in Afrika
and the thoughts of God are so have not found any solutions to