Meditation Instructions for Sun., Aug. 28, 2011

For this Sunday, August 21st, the focus for our meditation will be on Independence. Whether we like to admit it we are all much more influenced by those around us than we might otherwise believe. Even simple choices such as what to wear each day, or more significant decisions such as where to live or what sort of vehicle to drive, are to some degree influenced by what others will think of us as a result. We all like to be liked, and sometimes this influences our judgment. We can too readily opt out for the easy route so as not to go against the flow. While no one wants to be obstructive or difficult, a balance is needed in coexisting with others while still maintaining our Independence. The absence of some measure of Independence in our thinking is what can lead to the extreme examples of flash mobs and riots. In these instances, one individual or a small minority exerts undue influence over the rest of the group’s decision-making. If each member were better able to remain grounded and centered and check in as to what they thought was the right action to take such events would be less likely to occur. This week in our prayer and meditation let us consider whether there are ways in which we need to be less influenced by others and more Independent in our decision-making. Additionally, let us ask that our nation act in a way that allows us to remain Independent while still being willing to cooperate with others when needed.

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 have a sense of Independence in my decision-making? What does it feel like when I am aware I am acting Independently and not under the influence of others? 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., Aug. 21, 2011

For this Sunday, August 21st, the focus for our meditation will be on Appreciation. So much of the world’s discontent seems driven by unnecessary envy, greed, and just plain coveting what you perceive others to have that you don’t have. In doing so, you dishonor what you have already been given in life. It is a form of self-rejection that tells the universe you don’t recognize or Appreciate what you have and can offer. This can be true not only on an individual level but also in terms of our country. Many seem far too quick to criticize rather than Appreciating how blessed we are to live in a nation with the freedoms and opportunities that are our birthright. This week in our prayer and meditation we want to examine what we have already been given in our life that makes us feel Appreciative. It may be the comfort of a safe home, good health, loving friends and family, the security of a job, or some ability or talent we possess that allows us to offer a gift to the world. In addition, let us also consider those aspects of our own country that make us truly Appreciate how fortunate we are to be residents of this great nation.

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 filled with Appreciation for who I am and what I have in life? What does it feel like when I realize how much I Appreciate all the advantages I have by living in this country? 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., Aug. 14, 2011

For this Sunday, August 14th, the focus for our meditation will be on Recreation. As a child one of my most fun memories is gaining possession of a large abandoned cardboard box. I don’t even recall what came in the container or who discarded it, but it was large enough for me to sit inside of it. With the assistance of some crayon art work I managed to transform that box into a magical spaceship and spent hours of imagination-fueled fun traveling through the galaxies. I also fondly recall the summer evenings spent playing with friends and cousins in the backyard until our escapades were only illuminated by the presence of fireflies in the darkness and parents inevitably called us inside. It is remarkable to me now how we could fill so many hours with so little. There was no equipment, no battery-operated toys or devices, and certainly no WiFi to bring us the basis for our fun. By contrast, today’s children appear incapable of Recreation without either organized team sports or electronic devices. Even their time for “Recreation” seems to be programmed into days that are filled from morning to night with activities designed to enhance college acceptance credentials rather than for simple fun. As adults it gets worse, and we tend to far too easily lose sight of the importance of Recreation. We mistakenly schedule time for a competitive round of golf or a demanding workout at the gym and believe we are allowing ourselves to have some fun. But when was the last time you acknowledged the inner child inside you and let yourself simply be entertained by something trivial? Just as sleep is restorative to our physical body, we need Recreation to help rejuvenate our mind and spirit. This week let us ask what we can do to bring some Recreation into our lives and help restore ourselves in the process.

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 engaged in Recreation that brings me fun and joy? What does it feel like when I let myself participate in a Recreational activity that makes me feel more restored than drained? 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., August 7, 2011

For this Sunday, August 7th, the focus for our meditation will be on Kindness. One of the lessons of my spiritual teacher, Reverend Rosalyn L. Bruyere, is that our culture today places more emphasis on intelligence than common courtesy. One need look no further than what fills our airwaves with so-called entertainment in form of situation comedies in which characters score points with the audience by wittily tearing down another person. Even in normal discourse one is perceived as being unintelligent if you are unable to articulate with surgical precision what is wrong with another’s ideas. I distinctly recall Rev. Bruyere asking her class, “Would you rather be smart or kind?” My immediate response was how could one be considered smart if you didn’t know to be kind? There is no reason the two must remain mutually exclusive, but an imbalance appears to have developed in our society where people are given more kudos for their intellect than their Kindness. Years ago a popular bumper sticker began to be seen in which a phrase referring to the senseless acts of mayhem that would often make the evening news was altered to instead remind people to “Practice Random Acts of Kindness.” While a simple philosophy it bears a weightier value in helping to right what is wrong with our society. This week in our meditation let us ask what acts of Kindness we could contribute to the world around us. Let us also use our prayer to help promote the quality of Kindness to be better appreciated and emulated and thereby improve our nation as a whole.

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”). 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 "Explanation of the Grid or Manitou" for more information) with the intent of sending the energy of Kindness across the nation.

The way to do this is to perceive in your body how the quality of Kindness feels. Ask yourself how do I feel when I am filled with a desire to show Kindness to others? How does it feel in my body when I am the recipient of unexpected Kindness? 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