Reformed Mindfulness

Calvinism Meets Contemplative Practice

God's sovereignty. Your surrender. Present-moment peace.

Wingston Sharon Wilson | Creative Coding & Technology

What We'll Explore Today

Sovereignty & Surrender

How God's absolute control becomes the ultimate letting go

📿

Puritan Meditation

Recovering forgotten contemplative practices from our own tradition

🎯

TULIP as Framework

The Five Points of Calvinism as embodied mindfulness practices

👁️

Coram Deo Living

Practicing continuous presence "before the face of God"

The Crisis of Anxious Striving

"We know the doctrines intellectually, but can't seem to live them experientially. We believe in God's sovereignty—yet we're anxious. We confess grace—yet we strive."

😰 Anxiety Despite Sovereignty — Doctrine we believe; peace we lack

💪 Self-Effort in Sanctification — Trying harder instead of resting deeper

🧠 Head Knowledge Without Heart Experience — Systematic theology disconnected from daily life

🔄 Forgotten Contemplative Tradition — Puritans meditated; we just study

The Reformed Solution

What If the Answer Has Been Here All Along?

Sovereignty-Based Mindfulness

God's Control = Your Surrender

If God truly ordains all things, worry is theological error. Present-moment trust becomes doctrinal obedience.

📿

Puritan Contemplation

Recovering Our Own Tradition

Baxter, Edwards, Owen—Reformed Christians practiced meditation for 300 years before Buddhism reached the West.

🎯

TULIP Embodied

Doctrines as Practices

Total depravity → observing thoughts without identifying. Election → resting in being chosen. Grace becomes experience, not just proposition.

👁️

Coram Deo

"Before the Face of God"

Calvin's vision of living every moment consciously in God's presence—the Reformed version of continuous mindful awareness.

Why Reformed Theology & Mindfulness Belong Together

Sovereignty → Surrender

God's absolute control means you can let go of yours. Mindfulness becomes practicing what you already believe.

🪞 Total Depravity → Honest Observation

When you know you're broken, you can observe thoughts without defending yourself.

Election → Rest, Not Striving

No need to earn God's favor through perfect meditation. You practice from rest.

🌊 Irresistible Grace → Receptivity

Transformation is God's work, not yours. Mindfulness becomes receiving, not achieving.

"The most freeing theology creates the most freeing contemplative practice."

📿 The Puritans Were Meditators

Recovering Our Own Contemplative Tradition

Historical Figures

  • Richard Baxter (1615-1691): Taught methodical meditation in "The Saints' Everlasting Rest"
  • Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758): Mystical experiences, sustained contemplation of God's beauty
  • John Owen (1616-1683): "Mortification" as mindful observation of sin patterns

Occasional Meditation

Puritans practiced finding God in everyday moments—seeing a sunrise, tasting bread, hearing birds—and turning observations into theological reflection. This is mindfulness!

🎯 TULIP as Meditation Framework

The Five Points Embodied

Total Depravity → Observing Without Identifying

When you know you're broken, you can watch your thoughts without being enslaved by them. "That's my pride talking" becomes easier when you expect depravity.

Practice: Sit for 10 minutes. Notice thoughts without judgment. "I am not my thoughts—I am God's redeemed child observing the old self."

Unconditional Election → Resting in Being Chosen

You don't meditate to become chosen—you already are. This practice is response, not requirement. Pure freedom.

Practice: Breathe into the reality: "Before the foundation of the world, God chose me." Let achievement-striving melt away.

🎯 TULIP as Meditation Framework

The Five Points Embodied (continued)

Limited Atonement → Particular Love

Christ died specifically, intentionally, personally for you. Not generic love—targeted, particular redemption.

Practice: Hand on heart. "Christ died for me. Not just humanity—me. By name."

Irresistible Grace & Perseverance

Grace works irresistibly. God will complete what He started (Phil 1:6). Your job is to notice and cooperate, not generate and control.

Practice: "Where is grace already at work in me?" Listen. Notice. Receive.

🧘 Reformed Mindfulness Practices

Practical Exercises for Daily Life

Practices We'll Practice

  • Sovereignty Breathing: "The Lord gives / The Lord takes away / Blessed be His name"
  • Heidelberg Meditation: Sitting with "What is your only comfort in life and death?"
  • Coram Deo Walking: Walking consciously "before God's face"
  • Puritan Occasional Meditation: Finding God in everyday moments

Five Solas Body Scan

Move through your body, releasing each part to each Sola—Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria.

🤔 Addressing Common Reformed Concerns

Theological Objections Answered

"Isn't mindfulness Buddhist?"

Mindfulness is a practice, not a worldview. Puritans practiced meditation for 300 years before Buddhism reached the West. We're recovering our own tradition, not borrowing someone else's.

"Doesn't this lead to works righteousness?"

Absolutely not. Reformed mindfulness flows from grace received, not grace earned. You practice because you're justified, not to become justified. Sanctification involves disciplines—Calvin affirmed this.

🤔 More Reformed Concerns

"What about quietism?"

True Reformed contemplation serves action, not replaces it. Kuyper's "every square inch" still stands—we bring mindful presence to all of life, not withdrawal from it.

"Isn't this just Catholic mysticism?"

No. Reformed meditation is distinct: grounded in Sola Scriptura, focused on God's sovereignty, practiced in the world, rooted in covenant faithfulness—not monastic withdrawal or individual enlightenment.

4-Week Series Structure

Reformed Mindfulness Training

Week 1

Theology Meets Practice

Sovereignty & Mindfulness Foundations—Why Reformed theology creates the freest contemplative practice

Week 2

Puritan Meditation Methods

Recovering Forgotten Practices—Baxter, Edwards, Owen, and occasional meditation

4-Week Series Structure

Reformed Mindfulness Training (continued)

Week 3

TULIP as Contemplative Framework

The Five Points Embodied—Practicing depravity observation, election rest, grace receptivity

Week 4

Coram Deo Living

Your Reformed Rule of Life—Sustainable rhythms of grace-based practice

Intensive 3-Hour Retreats

Individual Deep Dives

⚡ Sovereignty Meditation Retreat

Practicing radical acceptance through God's absolute control

📿 Puritan Practice Immersion

Deep dive into Baxter, Edwards, and Owen's meditation methods

🎯 TULIP Embodiment Workshop

The Five Points as contemplative exercises—practice each doctrine

👁️ Coram Deo Mindfulness

Living consciously "before the face of God" in daily life

Perfect for those wanting to go deeper in specific Reformed practices

Creating Your Reformed Rule of Life

Grace-Based Structure, Not Legalism

What is a Reformed Rule of Life?

From the Latin "regula" (trellis)—covenant faithfulness expressed in sustainable rhythms. Not law-based striving, but loving structure for flourishing in grace.

Example Reformed Rule

  • Daily: 15-20 min Sovereignty Breathing or Heidelberg Meditation
  • Weekly: Sabbath rest (actual ceasing!), extended Scripture meditation
  • Monthly: Half-day retreat, spiritual direction meeting
  • Yearly: 2-3 day silent retreat, read a Puritan meditation classic
"The goal is sustainability, not perfection. Grace-based structure, not law-based striving."

Is This Workshop For You?

Perfect If You're...

📚 Reformed but Anxious

You believe in God's sovereignty intellectually—but can't seem to rest in it experientially

🧠 Head Knowledge, Little Heart Experience

You know the doctrines but hunger for practices that ground them in daily life

💪 Striving Despite Grace

You confess grace yet find yourself in constant self-effort

🤔 Curious About Contemplation

Interested in mindfulness but wary of Buddhist worldview—want a Reformed approach

⛪ Presbyterian, Reformed, PCA, OPC, CRC

From any Reformed denomination seeking deeper experiential spirituality

🎓 Seminary Students & Pastors

Want to embody the theology you teach—move from propositions to practices

What You'll Gain

Fruits of Reformed Mindfulness

01

Experiential Sovereignty

Move from believing God is in control to resting in His control—anxiety dissolves

02

Embodied Doctrines

TULIP becomes practices, not just propositions. Theology you feel, not just think.

03

Freedom From Striving

Grace-based practice replaces self-effort—receiving instead of achieving

04

Coram Deo Awareness

Living consciously "before God's face" throughout your day

05

Your Reformed Rule of Life

Sustainable rhythms grounded in covenant faithfulness, not legalism

06

Connection to Puritan Tradition

Recover the contemplative stream within your own Reformed heritage

"The Puritans meditated for 300 years—these practices will sustain you too."

What Participants Say

"I've been Reformed my whole life but never knew we had our own contemplative tradition. Discovering Puritan meditation was like finding hidden treasure in my own backyard."

— Mark V., PCA

"The connection between God's sovereignty and mindful presence completely transformed my anxiety. If God ordains all things, worry is theological error. This practice made that real."

— Sarah K., Christian Reformed

"As a seminary student studying systematic theology, this workshop showed me the experiential dimension of doctrines I'd only known intellectually. The Five Solas became practices, not just propositions."

— David L., Covenant Seminary

How to Participate

Workshop Formats & Pricing

Individual Intensives

3-hour retreats

Deep dives into specific practices

  • Sovereignty Meditation
  • Puritan Practice Immersion
  • TULIP Embodiment
  • Coram Deo Mindfulness

$50-$100/session

Church & Seminary

Custom design

For Reformed communities

  • Presbyterian/PCA congregations
  • Seminary formation
  • Pastor renewal retreats
  • Dutch Reformed & CRC groups

Contact us

All workshops on sliding scale for accessibility ✨

Ready to Begin?

Three Simple Steps

1

Send an Inquiry

workshops@creativecodingtech.com

Include your theological background, Reformed tradition, and any questions

2

Receive Details

We'll send upcoming dates, Puritan resources, detailed curriculum, and sliding scale guidance

3

Choose Your Rate & Register

Select the rate that works for you and begin your journey into Reformed contemplation

Questions? We're here to help you discern if Reformed mindfulness is your next step.

God's Sovereignty

Your Surrender

Present-Moment Peace

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

— Psalm 46:10

Reformed Mindfulness: Calvinism Meets Contemplative Practice

Wingston Sharon Wilson | Creative Coding & Technology
workshops@creativecodingtech.com