Contact: 4 WINDS, 608-469-7956

MADISON, Wis., March 22, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- Freedom From Religion and other atheist groups try to eliminate prayer from all facets of society, including on teams and at schools. At the same time, teams and schools promote mindfulness meditation.

On the surface, mindfulness meditation is thought to calm the mind and help a person focus. The roots of mindfulness meditation are in Eastern religions. In reality, Eastern religions are allowed in schools through mindfulness meditation as Christianity is eliminated.

Despite claims by some researchers, mindfulness meditation is not as mentally healthy as promoted. The research is questionable with many warning of potential dangers.

"There are false duplicates for the things of God," states 4 Winds Christian Athletics President Steve McConkey. "Prayer is a means of getting to know God as we meditate on His Bible and ask for His strength. Mindfulness meditation is a false duplicate.

"Instead of connecting to the God of the Bible, people open themselves up to dark forces that are harmful. Teams and schools have replaced asking for God’s blessings through prayer with mindfulness meditation that focuses on themselves."

Nike uses mindfulness training at their facilities in Portland, Oregon. They are expanding guided meditation through an app called Headspace. The meditation offered by Nike is more upbeat instead of stationary. Supposedly, this allows runners to get more out of their workouts.

Secular universities and schools can promote false religions in the disguise of mindfulness meditation. For example, the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is 64% supported by federal grants. Dr. Richard Davidson, a Harvard grad, is the leader and has been at the university since 1984. He does scientific research on meditation as it relates to humans.

Davidson is a friend of the Dalai Lama, who has made numerous trips to the university. Davidson has spoken at the World Economic Forum and serves on the Global Council on Mental Health. In 2006, he was named as one of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World." Davidson's research is used to promote mindfulness meditation as a legitimate science instead of a false religion.

Steve McConkey is the founder and president of 4 Winds Christian Athletics (4 WINDS). Steve and Liz started in world-class track and field ministries in 1981. In 2014, 4 WINDS started ministering to athletes in all sports. Steve graduated from Western Kentucky University (Master of Public Health). 4 WINDS produces 4WindsUSA.com.