Is it acceptable for evangelical christians to practise MINDFULNESS
meditation and are there any guidelines available for doing so?
Wouldn't it be a case of flurting with Buddhism?

Dear D20gdx, 

The term "meditation", although commonly associated with Asian
religions, does not relate, necessarily, to these religions. Many
religions, including Christianity, apply meditation. Meditation could
be defined as engagement in "devotional contemplation, especially
prayer" (deriven from SOURCE: Dictionary.com definition ,
<http://www.answers.com/meditation&r=67>).

However, the term "mindful meditation" refers to specific types of
meditation, especially popular in Buddhism, such as Vipassana and
anapanasati. But then again, the "mindfulness" element refers to your
awareness of your breath, not to the type of deity you're worshiping:
"While in anapanasati meditation the attention is focused on the
breath, in vipassana the mind is instead trained to be acutely aware
of not only breathing, but all things that one comes to experience.
The concept of vipassana works in believing that the meditator's mind
will eventually take note of every physical and mental experience
"real-time" or as it happens, the goal being that it will gradually
reveal to the practitioner how one's mind unknowingly attaches itself
to things that are impermanent in nature. Thus, when such things cease
to exist, one experiences suffering from their loss. This in turn can
gradually free one's mind from the attachment to the impermanent that
is the root of suffering. In other words, in vipassana (insight, or
seeing things as they are) meditation, the mind is trained to notice
each perception or thought that passes without "stopping" on any one.
". (Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation>).

So, while it has no Buddhist content, it derives from Buddhism and it
could be regarded as a Buddhist tradition.
 "Mindful meditation, like any other approach, is most powerful when
employed as part of an overall program of psychotherapy This approach
to psychotherapy derives directly from Buddhist teaching."
(Deatherage, 1980)
Deatherage, Olaf G. (1980). Mindfulness meditation as psychotherapy.
Transpersonal Psychology. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books.
174- 175.
(SOURCE: "Skeptical News for 13 June 2004"
<http://www.ntskeptics.org/news/news2004-06-13.htm>). The method has
been partially developed, and in any case popularised, through Thich
Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Busshist monk.

There are no guidelines (at least none that I've been able to find)
that provide guidance to Christians wishing to practice Mindful
Meditation. However, there are many similar Christian meditative
techniques, that might be alternatively used.

There are some great Christian meditations, just a handful: 
Christian Meditation - Wikipedia 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_meditation> 

Beliefnet - Christian Meditation
<http://www.beliefnet.com/index/index_35911.html> 

The World Community for Christian Meditation
<http://www.wccm.org/splash.asp?pagestyle=default> 

I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
further clarification on this answer before you rate it. Search terms:
"mindful meditation" christian, "mindful meditation" christianity,
"mindful meditation" evangelical christianity, meditation christian,
"mindful meditation", meditation christian mindful,

---

Request for Answer Clarification by d20gdx-ga on 26 Aug 2005 01:56 PDT

good answer but it was with regard to evangelical christianity that I
was specifically interested in.

---

Clarification of Answer by politicalguru-ga on 26 Aug 2005 05:32 PDT

Mindful meditation, in short, does not comprehend with Evangelical Christianity. 

However, I suggest - if you want to hear a "second opinion" - to
consult with the leaders of your congregation.

One should understand that what is defined as acceptable by any
denomination has usually more to do with what people say in the
religion as opposed to what God has to say. Having said that, if you
see it as acceptable and promoting your relationship with God, than
it's likely a good thing.
As for the people aspect of things, it's been my experience that most
spritual techniques such as meditation are what I guess you should say
is "legal" by the strict sense.
The challenge is not in a potential spiritual conflict, but more in
using the right terminology to describe what your doing. For instance,
if I use "ponder the blessing that god has given me" instead of the
term "meditation" I get a lot less odd looks, though in essence, it's
almost the same thing. So just find the right 'terminology' and you'll
be there!

In short, it is NOT acceptable...A clearly pagan practice.  If you
look at its goal, "being that it will gradually reveal to the
practitioner how one's mind unknowingly attaches itself to things that
are impermanent in nature. Thus, when such things cease to exist, one
experiences suffering from their loss. This in turn can gradually free
one's mind from the attachment to the impermanent that is the root of
suffering."

What does that have to do with Christ, God, or reconsiliation of man
before God...nothing.

Yes it is acceptable - I think there was a Brother Laurence who
wrote'Practice of the Presence of God'.  Basically he did every action
as a prayer.

Also 'mindfulness' is PAYING ATTENTION.  Whether to breathing, the
warm water when you are washing dishes, your footsteps, etc, etc,. 
What religion could oppose being aware of of the miracle of life?