Meditation Instructions for Sun., Jan. 30, 2011

For this Sunday, January 30th, the focus for our meditation will be on Forgiveness. This was the topic for our meditation last June, but a participant recently suggested this theme, and it appears time to return to it. A short while ago I watched a most powerful documentary titled, "Forgiving Dr. Mengele." It is about a woman named Eva Mozes Kor who was born in Romania and became a Holocaust survivor. At the age of ten she and her twin sister lost all their family members in Auschwitz. Eva and her sister were kept alive to serve as subjects for horrible "medical experiments" by the Nazis. They somehow survived, but the most miraculous part of her story is her subsequent choice to to publicly Forgive those who had tortured her and murdered her family. Fifty years after she was liberated from Auschwitz Eva returned to the infamous site and publicly announced to the world that she Forgave the Nazis for what they had done to her. It was a courageous act that subjected her to much criticism from fellow Holocaust survivors. As noted in The Forgiveness Project web site (http://www.theforgivenessproject.com/) Forgiveness is "the mental and/or spiritual process of relinquishing resentment, indignation or anger against another person for a perceived offense, or ceasing to demand punishment." It is an act of moving on and freeing oneself from remaining a victim. So many of the conflicts in our own nation, in our relationships with others, and particularly around the world seem to arise from a desire for retribution as a result of what is seen as an injustice or apparent slight. When we harbor these feelings of anger and victimization we only further harm ourselves. In our meditation and prayer this week we want to ask that the anger that seems to pervade our society and relationships be replaced with calm acceptance that what is past is past and the strength of character to extend true Forgiveness to those who may have wronged us. If we can permeate this sense of Forgiveness across our nation we will heal ourselves and quiet the discord that too frequently wants to erupt.

Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in your body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us, connect to the circle of others participating in this project, and create the brilliant star-like light over the nation. Extend blue rays from the center of this light to the nation's four borders and then connect to the grid or matrix that extends from the circle.

Ask yourself how does it feel in my body when I extend true Forgiveness to others? What does it feel like when I release a desire for retribution and the anger from being wronged and instead allow Forgiveness to replace them? Then send the energy and intention of that feeling to the grid for the nation.

Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.

If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share please let me know via e-mail to k_miritello@bellsouth.net or kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., Jan. 23, 2011

For this Sunday, January 23rd, the focus for our meditation will be on Restraint. Every one of us by virtue of being human feels the pull of temptation to either do things that aren't good for us or to avoid doing those things that would be better for us. Presumably most of us struggle with minor temptations -- having something we shouldn't eat, procrastinating instead of working on a task we need to attend to, or spending more than we have budgeted. Others, unfortunately, grapple with serious temptations such as addictions to alcohol or drugs. In either instance, our failure to exercise self-Restraint leads us astray or prevents us from accomplishing what we otherwise are capable of doing. While perfection is not the goal we do want to think about where we have lapsed and could use more Restraint to help keep us focused and on our path. This week in our meditation let us examine where we need to exercise greater Restraint in our lives to keep us productive, focused and moving forward.

Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in your body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us, connect to the circle of others participating in this project, and create the brilliant star-like light over the nation. Extend blue rays from the center of this light to the nation's four borders and then connect to the grid or matrix that extends from the circle.

Ask yourself how does it feel in my body when I exercise Restraint in resisting temptations? What does it feel like when I am acting with Restraint in moderating my behavior? Then send the energy and intention of that feeling to the grid for the nation.

Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.

If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share please let me know via e-mail to k_miritello@bellsouth.net or kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., Jan. 16, 2011

For this Sunday, January 16th, the focus for our meditation will be on Altruism. With the nation pausing to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. we are drawing our theme from one of his many inspirational quotes: "Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." This speaks to themes we have focused on previously -- courage, the need to step up and take action, concern for the welfare of others -- all of which we are summarizing in the one concept of Altruism. To be Altruistic implies putting the needs of others before one's own. In this instance, it may require us to place ourselves in the firing line of criticism from society when we go against the flow to defend or help another person. This can be difficult to do, but it is even more difficult when you fail to do something and turn away instead. To this day I bear lingering feelings of guilt at not having spoken up to defend a grade school classmate who was the frequent target of harassment. I have no idea or recollection as to exactly why she became such a victim of typical grade school torment. While the bullying was not physical in nature, she was clearly psychologically bullied, and I still find myself wondering years later how she turned out, and what she ended up making of herself and her life. She probably was a perfectly nice individual but had some quirk or oddity that served as a magnet for the persecution by her peers. With the continuing prevalence of such behavior not only in our schools but in so many places in society we want this week to bolster our willingness to be Altruistic and especially to step up to defend others when needed. In our meditation efforts let us as that throughout this country people embrace Altruism and act with more concern for each other.

Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in your body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us, connect to the circle of others participating in this project, and create the brilliant star-like light over the nation. Extend blue rays from the center of this light to the nation's four borders and then connect to the grid or matrix that extends from the circle.

Ask yourself how does it feel in my body when I am acting with Altruism for those around me and take steps to defend or help them? What does it feel like when I am being Altruistic and place the concerns of others before my own? Then send the energy and intention of that feeling to the grid for the nation.

Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.

If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share please let me know via e-mail to k_miritello@bellsouth.net or kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., Jan. 9, 2011

For this Sunday, January 9th, the focus for our meditation will be on Mutual Respect. This past week, before the newly-elected members to the House of Representatives could even begin their first legislative session of the year, arguments broke out over which version of the Constitution would be read aloud at the session opening. Once again it appears this body will require our prayers for them to abandon partisan politics and accomplish the higher good for our nation. It is seldom clear to me whether there is even a "right" or "wrong" side to such arguments, but I believe it doesn't matter. At the heart of the problem is the absence of Mutual Respect for each other. It seems that ego and the desire to grab a key sound bit for the evening news appear to be taking precedence over a sincere desire for cooperation. If this legislative body is to accomplish the important tasks before them they must understand the need to be willing to listen in an environment in which each side demonstrates Respect for the other. I think many times these matters escalate out of hand simply because people feel as though they are being shut out and do not have an opportunity to be heard. An environment of Mutual Respect can help eliminate the petty quarrelling that otherwise seems to occur all too frequently. In our prayers and meditation this week we want to ask that the spirit of Mutual Respect fill the chambers of government at all levels and assist our elected officials in working for our nation's forward progress.

Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in your body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us, connect to the circle of others participating in this project, and create the brilliant star-like light over the nation. Extend blue rays from the center of this light to the nation's four borders and then connect to the grid or matrix that extends from the circle.

Ask yourself how does it feel in my body when I am acting with Mutual Respect for those around me? What does it feel like when I am aware the actions of others reflect Mutual Respect for me? Then send the energy and intention of that feeling to the grid for the nation.

Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.

If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share please let me know via e-mail to k_miritello@bellsouth.net or kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., Jan. 2, 2011

For this Sunday, January 2nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Perseverance. Once again we find ourselves at the beginning of a new year and the time-old tradition of honoring this milestone through the making of resolutions only to find days, weeks, or perhaps months later that they have been forgotten or discarded. Yet we shouldn’t let our all-too-human lapses deter us from trying once again. The intentions behind such resolutions often reflect the best that we seek to become or achieve throughout the year. To Persevere implies a steadfast determination, a persistence or doggedness, that motivates us to push on even in the face of possible failure. If we didn’t aim for goals that maybe seem beyond our reach, even if we end up falling short, think how much less progress we might have made? This week, as we stand at the edge of a new year filled with so much potential, let us examine where we may need to apply greater Perseverance in our life. What would we like to accomplish in the new year being granted to us, and where will we need to ask for persistence to reach that goal? Additionally, let us consider the potential that lies before our nation in the year to come and where as a country we will require Perseverance to accomplish all that is desired.

As a reminder, we typically form as a group in our focused meditation every Sunday from 12:15 to 12:30 pm (Eastern time) and return to bring more energy to the same theme throughout the week as time permits. If you are unable to participate at that particular time there are instructions posted on how to energetically contribute at either an earlier or later time (please see "Instructions for Meditating at Alternate Dates or Times" posted on August 21, 2008). A few minutes before 12:15 you may want to get into your meditation posture and begin the relaxation phase.

Stage 1:
Sit (or lay down) so that you are relaxed and comfortable but your spine is straight and aligned over your pelvis (if seated). Begin by taking several slow, deep breaths. Follow the sensation of the breath down into your body. Breathe into your spine, your hips, and then your legs. Feel the breath reach your feet on the floor and then feel the connection through your feet to the earth's energy. Draw the earth's energy up through your feet into your body. Feel your body fill completely with this energy from your breath and the earth. Invite your own personal spiritual guides to join you in this meditation. Ask for those in the spiritual realm (especially the nation's Founding Fathers) who want to assist us in this effort to be present. If you have trouble feeling centered and fully in your body or feeling grounded to the earth ask Guidance to help you.

Stage 2:
Stay relaxed and begin to make a connection with the others in the group by perceiving that we are present in the same room and formed in a circle. Feel yourself make contact with the person on each side of you in the circle by taking their hand -- one to the right and one to the left. Feel the energy of the group grow as you make this connection. Recognize there are groups all over who are doing similar activities with the same intention. We are connected to them as well as to each other. Feel the grid or network that is created from this energetic connection. We receive energy from it as we feed energy to it.

Stage 3:
Place a brilliant white light over the center of the country. Extend blue rays out from the center of that light in the four directions (north, south, east, and west). The blue rays fill the country from border to border and sea to sea. Connect to the energetic grid or network created across the circle. Use that grid to direct energy to the manitou of the nation (see "Meditation Instructions for Sun., Sept. 7, 2008" for explanation) with the intent of sending the energy of Perseverance across the nation.

The way to do this is to perceive in your body how the quality of Perseverance feels. Ask yourself how do I feel when I am exercising Perseverance in my actions? How does it feel in my body when I show persistence and Perseverance in reaching my goals? Hold that sensation and allow it to intensify as you feed that energy to the grid or network with each breath.

Stage 4:
Close by disconnecting from the group circle. Feel as though you release the hand of the person next to you and feel yourself break from the group.

Stage 5:
Thank your guidance and those in the spiritual realm for coming to assist you in this endeavor. Ask them to continue this work from their plane on your behalf. If you are able, you may want to repeat this process throughout the week, focusing on bringing light and energy to the meditation topic. When you do, connect to the same network or grid of energy created by the group at the original meditation session. Direct your intention to help support and grow that group energy. Be sure to disconnect from the group at the end.

If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share please let me know via e-mail to k_miritello@bellsouth.net or kmiritello@gmail.com