Meditation Instructions for Sun., March 6, 2011

For this Sunday, March 6th, the focus for our meditation will be on Renewal. For many of us weather-wise this has been a long, hard winter. We have had to endure significant, record-breaking snowfalls in many areas and seemingly endless disruptions to our schedules as we have battled the elements to make our way to work or school. While the winter weather may not yet be entirely over there are noticeable signs of Renewal in the green shoots that have begun to peek up from the layers of dead leaves in our flower beds. The first signs of life arising from the cold ground that bring the promise of vibrant colors in the form of daffodils, tulips and other hibernating perennials that will soon emerge and bloom. We want to take notice of this cycle of Renewal that nature undergoes and recognize that we, too, experience a similar rebirth in our bodies and spirit. Perhaps it comes in the eagerness with which we anticipate that first warm-weather outing or the resumption of a favorite outdoor sport. Let us take an example from nature and celebrate the Renewal of our own selves as we transition into the next season and feel our energy flowing with a little more vigor at the promise of what lies ahead.

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 Renewal across the nation.

The way to do this is to perceive in your body how the quality of Renewal feels. Ask yourself how do I feel when I am aware of the Renewal in nature around me each spring? How does it feel in my body when I feel the spirit of Renewal through the growing excitement at the prospect of winter finally coming to an end? 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