As we discussed in [[The Great Work]], [[The Great Work#Mindfulness | mindfulness]] is the interior foundation of [[the Great Work]]. >[!quote] Genesis 22:1 It happened after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.” Here I am (הִנֵּנִי, hineini).  With those simple words, our Father Abraham entered the presence of God, who is always in the moment.  The act of being here is less a state of mind than it is a tool, faculty, and power. >[!quote] Jesus, Matthew 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?' God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." Mindfulness is bringing the energy of awareness to the present moment.  It discerns the truth in the moment, and connects the heart to the truth of the moment.  Mindfulness is exhibited by Father Abraham. Jesus often pointed out the lack of mindfulness on the part of his detractors. >[!quote] Mark 8:17-18 Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why do you reason that it’s because you have no bread? Don’t you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, don’t you see? Having ears, don’t you hear? Don’t you remember? Mindfulness is the salve that brings understanding to our perceptions, fosters compassion in our hearts, allows us to see clearly with our eyes and discern truth with our ears.  He ends with the question about mindfulness.  He asked his followers to be mindful of his works (Matthew 16:9), his words (John 15:20), >[!quote] Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life. Jesus commands the apostles to go for a mindfulness retreat (Mark 6:14-32) In withdrawal and quietness is deliverance, and in stillness and trust is strength (Isaiah 30:15)  >[!quote] Paul, Romans 12:2 Don’t be fashioned according to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. >[!quote] Paul, 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one. “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind. >[!quote] Peter, 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ — as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.” >[!quote] Paul, Philippians 2:5-8 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. # Mindfulness > “Mindfulness is the energy of being aware of what is happening in the present moment. — [Thich Nhat Hanh, The Art of Power, p 22](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZNR0K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000UZNR0K&linkCode=as2&tag=wisdoms_cry-20&linkId=BIOG2HX372BYKX46) > “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. — Romans 12:1-2 (New American Standard) > “To look deeply, to have deep insight, we use the energy of Right Mindfulness. Meditation is a power plant for mindfulness. — [Thich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, p 185](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767903692/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0767903692&linkCode=as2&tag=wisdoms_cry-20&linkId=Y7R444EBWV65J7XM) > “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. — Philippians 4:4-9 (New American Standard) > “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. — Hebrews 10:35-36 (New American Standard) > “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. — Philippians 2:5-8 (New American Standard)