Reformed Mindfulness: Practicing God's Sovereignty Through Contemplative Awareness
Discover how Reformed theology and mindfulness practices unite in powerful spiritual disciplines. Learn Puritan meditation, sovereignty-based mindfulness, and Coram Deo awareness from the forgotten contemplative tradition of Calvinism.
Reformed Mindfulness: Calvinism Meets Contemplative Practice
What if the most freeing theology in Christianity held the key to the deepest mindfulness practice? Discover how Reformed theology and contemplative awareness converge in this workshop exploring Puritan meditation, sovereignty-based mindfulness, and Coram Deo living (practicing the presence of God).
Most people don’t know this: the Puritans were meditators. Calvin emphasized contemplation. The Reformed tradition has a rich, often forgotten contemplative stream. This isn’t Buddhist mindfulness repackaged—it’s recovering practices from our own theological heritage.
In an age of anxiety, control, and spiritual striving, Reformed mindfulness offers radical freedom: God’s sovereignty means you can let go. Present-moment awareness becomes theological obedience. Observing your thoughts without judgment reflects the doctrine of total depravity rightly understood.
What You’ll Discover
⚡ Sovereignty & Surrender: The Foundation
Learn how Calvin’s doctrine of God’s absolute sovereignty becomes the ultimate practice of letting go—anxiety dissolves when you truly believe God ordains all things.
📿 Puritan Meditation Recovered
Explore the forgotten contemplative practices of Richard Baxter, Jonathan Edwards, and John Owen—Reformed Christians who practiced deep meditation centuries before modern mindfulness.
🎯 TULIP as Mindfulness Framework
Transform the Five Points of Calvinism into contemplative practices: observing depravity without identification, resting in election, meditating on particular redemption.
👁️ Coram Deo: Before the Face of God
Practice living every moment consciously “before God’s face”—the Reformed version of continuous present-moment awareness.
🧘 Reformed Body Practices
Discover how sovereignty breathing, Heidelberg Catechism meditation, and Reformed examen create embodied spiritual disciplines.
📖 Scripture Meditation Reformed Style
Learn Calvin’s and the Puritans’ methods for contemplative Bible reading—distinct from Catholic Lectio Divina, rooted in Sola Scriptura.
🌅 Daily Rhythms of Grace
Create a sustainable Rule of Life grounded in covenant faithfulness—not legalism, but loving structure rooted in Reformed spirituality.
🆓 Freedom From Self-Effort
The Reformed doctrines of grace liberate you from spiritual striving—mindfulness becomes receiving, not achieving.
Workshop Formats & Pricing
Complete 4-Week Series (Recommended)
4 sessions × 90 minutes
Week 1: Theology Meets Practice (Sovereignty & Mindfulness Foundations) Week 2: Puritan Meditation Methods (Recovering Forgotten Practices) Week 3: TULIP as Contemplative Framework (The Five Points Embodied) Week 4: Coram Deo Living (Your Reformed Rule of Life)
Includes:
- Puritan meditation guide and historical texts
- Reformed mindfulness practice recordings
- Scripture meditation resources
- Private community forum
- Introduction to Reformed spiritual direction
Investment: Sliding scale $180-$360
Individual 3-Hour Intensive Retreats
Perfect for going deeper in specific practices:
- ⚡ Sovereignty Meditation Retreat — Practicing radical acceptance through God’s control
- 📿 Puritan Practice Immersion — Deep dive into Baxter, Edwards, and Owen’s methods
- 🎯 TULIP Embodiment Workshop — The Five Points as contemplative exercises
- 👁️ Coram Deo Mindfulness — Living consciously before God’s face
Investment: Sliding scale $50-$100/session
Church & Seminary Retreats
Custom-designed Reformed spirituality programs for:
- Presbyterian, Reformed, and PCA congregations
- Seminary formation and pastor renewal
- Dutch Reformed and CRC communities
- Ecumenical groups exploring Reformed contemplation
Contact us for custom curriculum and pricing.
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 Register for the Workshop
📧 Request More Information
Email us with your tradition, theological background, and any questions:
workshops@creativecodingtech.com
We’ll send you:
- Detailed week-by-week curriculum breakdown
- Upcoming session dates and times
- Sliding scale pricing guidance
- Historical Puritan meditation resources
- Introduction to Reformed spiritual direction
Why Reformed Theology & Mindfulness Belong Together
Sovereignty creates surrender — God’s absolute control means you can let go of yours. Mindfulness becomes practicing what you already believe.
Total depravity enables honest self-observation — When you know you’re broken, you can observe thoughts without identifying with them or defending yourself.
Unconditional election grounds you in being chosen — No need to earn God’s favor through perfect meditation. You practice from rest, not for acceptance.
Irresistible grace means God’s work, not yours — Spiritual transformation happens through grace, not effort. Mindfulness becomes receptivity.
Perseverance guarantees completion — You’ll finish this journey. Patience with the process reflects trust in God’s promise to complete His work.
Together, these doctrines form the most freeing foundation for contemplative practice ever conceived.
The Forgotten Puritan Contemplatives
Richard Baxter (1615-1691)
Author of The Saints’ Everlasting Rest, Baxter taught methodical meditation practices that included visualization, affective prayer, and contemplative Scripture reading.
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Famous for his mystical experiences described in Personal Narrative—Edwards practiced sustained contemplation of God’s beauty and glory in creation.
John Owen (1616-1683)
His works on “mortification” (observing and releasing sin patterns) and communion with God are essentially mindfulness techniques grounded in Reformed theology.
Occasional Meditation
Puritans practiced finding God in everyday moments—seeing a sunrise, tasting bread, hearing birds—and turning observations into theological reflection. Sound familiar?
Reformed Mindfulness Practices You’ll Learn
1. Sovereignty Breathing
- Inhale: “The Lord gives”
- Exhale: “The Lord takes away”
- Hold: “Blessed be His name” (Job 1:21)
2. Heidelberg Meditation
Sit with Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism: “What is your only comfort in life and death?”
Feel the answer in your body: “That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.”
3. Coram Deo Walking Meditation
Walk consciously “before the face of God”—aware that every step, every breath, every thought occurs in His presence.
4. Puritan Occasional Meditation
- Choose any object or event
- Observe it mindfully without judgment
- Ask: “What does this teach me about God?”
- Journal your reflections
5. Five Solas Body Scan
Move through your body, releasing each part to each Sola:
- Sola Scriptura — Where am I trusting my own wisdom instead of God’s Word?
- Sola Fide — Where am I relying on works instead of faith?
- Sola Gratia — Where am I striving instead of receiving?
- Solus Christus — Where am I seeking other mediators?
- Soli Deo Gloria — Where am I seeking my own glory?
6. Reformed Daily Examen
- Morning: “Where will I encounter God’s sovereignty today?”
- Evening: “Where did I see His providence at work today?”
Addressing Common Reformed Concerns
“Isn’t mindfulness Buddhist?”
Mindfulness is a practice, not a worldview. Just as we use logic (Greek), technology (secular), and medicine (universal), we can use contemplative practices without adopting Buddhist metaphysics.
Historical precedent: 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 spiritual disciplines—Calvin, the Puritans, and every Reformed confession affirm this. The question isn’t whether to practice, but how—and Reformed theology provides the freest framework imaginable.
“What about the danger of quietism?”
True Reformed contemplation serves action, not replaces it. Kuyper’s “every square inch” claim still stands—we just bring mindful presence to all of life, not withdrawal from it.
Calvin himself balanced deep contemplation with world-transforming action. Mindfulness makes us more effective in our callings, not less.
“Isn’t this just repackaged Catholic mysticism?”
No. While we honor Catholic contemplatives, Reformed meditation has distinct features:
- Grounded in Sola Scriptura (Scripture-centered, not experience-centered)
- Focused on God’s sovereignty (not achieving union through technique)
- Practiced in the world (not monastic withdrawal)
- Rooted in covenant faithfulness (not individual enlightenment)
We’re recovering Reformed contemplation, which has always existed alongside (and distinct from) Catholic mysticism.
TULIP as Meditation Framework
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. Remind yourself: “I am not my thoughts—I am God’s redeemed child observing the remnants of 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.
Limited Atonement → Meditating on Particular Love
Christ died specifically, intentionally, personally for you. Not generic love—targeted, particular, intimate redemption.
Practice: Place your hand on your heart. Repeat: “Christ died for me. Not just humanity—me. By name.”
Irresistible Grace → Noticing God’s Work Within
You don’t produce transformation through perfect technique. Grace works irresistibly. Your job is to notice and cooperate, not generate and control.
Practice: Sit quietly. Ask: “Where is grace already at work in me?” Listen. Notice. Receive.
Perseverance of the Saints → Patient Trust
God will complete what He started (Philippians 1:6). This journey has a guaranteed destination. Patience with the process reflects trust in the promise.
Practice: When frustrated with slow progress, return to this truth: “He who began a good work in me will carry it to completion.”
Creating Your Reformed Rule of Life
From the Latin regula (trellis)—a structure supporting spiritual growth. Not legalism, but covenant faithfulness expressed in sustainable rhythms.
Your Reformed Rule of Life might include:
Daily:
- 15-20 minutes Sovereignty Breathing or Heidelberg Meditation
- Coram Deo awareness throughout the day
- Evening Examen
Weekly:
- Sabbath rest (actual ceasing from work!)
- Extended Scripture meditation session
- Puritan occasional meditation practice
Monthly:
- Half-day personal retreat
- Spiritual direction or accountability 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be Reformed to attend? The practices are designed for Reformed believers (Presbyterian, Reformed, Christian Reformed, PCA, OPC, etc.), but anyone curious about Reformed theology and contemplative practice is welcome.
What if I’ve never meditated before? Perfect! We start from the beginning, grounding everything in Reformed theology first, then building practices slowly.
Will this make me less Reformed? Actually, it might make you more Reformed—experientially grounding doctrines you’ve only known intellectually. Many participants report deeper understanding of sovereignty, grace, and covenant after embodying these truths through practice.
How much time will I need for daily practice? Start with 10-15 minutes. The Puritans recommended an hour daily, but we live in different times. Sustainability matters more than duration.
Is this compatible with my church’s teaching? Everything taught is grounded in Reformed confessions (Westminster, Heidelberg, Belgic), historical Puritan practice, and Calvin’s own writings. If your church affirms these, this workshop aligns perfectly.
Do you offer spiritual direction? Yes—we can connect you with Reformed spiritual directors trained in this approach. Week 4 introduces discernment practices to help you determine if direction is your next step.
🎯 Related Workshops You Might Enjoy
If Reformed Mindfulness resonates with you, consider these complementary workshops:
🧘 Basic Meditation: Foundation Practices
Learn the universal meditation techniques that undergird all contemplative traditions—Samadhi concentration, Vipassana insight, and Metta lovingkindness. Perfect for building the foundational skills that make Puritan meditation more accessible.
🖌️ Conscious Art Making: Mindfulness-Based Creative Practice
Combine Reformed contemplation with embodied creative expression. Use intuitive art-making as a form of prayer and self-discovery—no artistic skill required, just presence and willingness to play.
🌍 Conscious Consumption: Inner Alignment & Planetary Healing
Apply mindfulness principles to your relationship with consumption and sustainability. Uses integral theory and shadow work similar to Reformed self-examination, but focused on planetary stewardship.
About This Workshop
Reformed Mindfulness is one of eight transformative workshops we offer at the intersection of technology, consciousness, and creative expression.
Explore Our Full Workshop Catalog:
- ⚡ Reformed Mindfulness: Calvinism Meets Contemplative Practice (you are here)
- 🧘 Basic Meditation: Foundation Practices for Mindful Living
- 💻 The Conscious Coder: Engineering for Sustainability
- 🌀 Algorithms as Code: Generative Art & Creative Coding
- 🖌️ Conscious Art Making: Mindfulness-Based Creative Practice
- 🌍 Conscious Consumerism: Inner Alignment & Planetary Healing
- 🎵 Ableton Live + Sonic Pi: Hybrid Live Performance
Historical Resources We’ll Explore
Primary Puritan Texts:
- Richard Baxter, The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (1650)
- Jonathan Edwards, Personal Narrative (1740)
- John Owen, The Mortification of Sin (1656)
- Thomas Manton, Sermons on Psalm 119
Calvin’s Contemplative Theology:
- Institutes of the Christian Religion (especially Book III on union with Christ)
- Calvin’s prayers and liturgy
- Commentary on the Psalms
Modern Bridges:
- James K.A. Smith, You Are What You Love (on spiritual formation)
- Edmund Clowney, Christian Meditation (Reformed approach)
- Joel Beeke, Puritan Reformed Spirituality (historical overview)
- Leland Ryken, Worldly Saints (Puritan daily life and practices)
Share This Reformed Mindfulness Workshop
Know a Reformed Christian dealing with anxiety, spiritual striving, or hunger for experiential theology? Share this workshop with them!
All workshops offered on sliding scale for accessibility ✨
Begin Your Journey into Reformed Contemplation
Whether you’re new to contemplative practice or seeking to ground existing disciplines in Reformed theology, this workshop provides the structure, guidance, and theological foundation needed to cultivate authentic Coram Deo living.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
📧 workshops@creativecodingtech.com
God’s Sovereignty. Your Surrender. Present-Moment Peace.
| *Wingston Sharon Wilson | Creative Coding & Technology* |