Meditation Instructions for Sun., Jan. 1, 2012

For this Sunday, January 1st, the focus for our meditation will be on Virtue. In a recorded talk by Caroline Myss (“The Sacred Contract of America”) she speaks of the mystic background of our nation’s founders, many of whom were Freemasons. They believed that Virtue was a necessary quality for a group of free people to govern themselves in this newly formed country. In the case of Freemasons Virtue meant a sense of reverence for the qualities of loyalty and honor that help bind a group together and allows them to prevail over any difficulty. Myss bluntly acknowledges the excesses and foibles that have come to characterize this nation in more modern times and challenges us to work toward “refocusing that shadow toward the light.” According to Myss, what distinguishes our country is that it’s origin, and therefore the purpose for its very existence, was created with a particular consciousness. When our founders created this nation of free people they knew our country would be called to a greatness that goes far beyond any exercise of military might or global diplomacy. We were created with a spiritual covenant that requires us to seek to operate more in the light than those we oppose. While we have strayed from what initially held us together we still have the extraordinary capability and resources to fulfill the promise held by our Founding Fathers. On the threshold of this new year 2012 brings many challenges in the form of an important national election, our continued efforts to see our country return to financial responsibility, and the inevitable requirement to adapt to increasing change as we shift into a new astrological age. Rather than allow these challenges to drive us further apart we want to work through prayer to increase our desire for the Virtue that will sustain us through these difficulties. Let us ask in our prayer and meditation that we see a return to honor, loyalty and Virtue that extends across the country and helps us bring this nation back toward the light.

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 Virtue across the nation.

The way to do this is to perceive in your body how the quality of Virtue feels. Ask yourself how do I feel when I have a sense of honor and loyalty to a group that represents true Virtue? How does it feel in my body when I know I operate with a sense of Virtue that increases my loyalty to others? 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

Meditation Instructions for Sun., Dec. 25, 2011

For this Sunday, December 18th, the focus for our meditation will be on Confidence. On this day of Christmas and as we look ahead to the end of this year and the beginning of another let us extend the energy of Confidence across this nation. May we be Confident that all those traveling to be with loved ones over the holiday reach their destinations safely. May all those struggling to find work feel Confident that they will obtain meaningful employment. Let us ask with Confidence that those who have gone hungry be fed and those without homes find shelter. Let us feel Confident that all hurts and disputes that arose during the year be resolved, and may those who have become estranged from each other find reconciliation. As our nation struggles with so many issues let us be Confident that those in elected office seek to best serve their constituents in a spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship. As we look back over the year now past let us be Confident that our experiences, both good and bad, will have helped us to grow stronger. Let us gather together this season with the Confidence that peace will truly reign over the nation and world. Let us ask with Confidence that all our prayers be heard, and may all who participate in this meditation find their lives filled with every blessing.

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 feel Confident about asking for something? What does it feel like when I am Confident in a positive outcome? Then send the energy and intention of that feeling to 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., Dec. 18, 2011

For this Sunday, December 18th, the focus for our meditation will be on Understanding. There is a Bible passage from Philippians that refers to “the peace of God, which passes all understanding.” This passage follows one that exhorts people not to “worry over things,” and the connection between the two is interesting. All too often we become stressed by feeling as though we always need to figure out or Understand the circumstances in which we find ourselves. When we are unable to reach an Understanding of what is going on it can be disorienting and uncomfortable. We don’t like feeling as though we don’t comprehend situations because it reminds us that we aren’t always in control. Yet this passage makes clear that real peace comes without necessarily being able to Understand. It is the gap that bridges a leap of faith when you accept a circumstance without needing to have it all sorted out and know exactly what is going on. In other words, we need to Understand and accept that we likely won’t Understand everything that happens in our life. Once we reach that point of acceptance life’s ups and downs take less of a toll on us. With all the uncertainty in our individual lives and in the future of this country we want to ask this week in our prayer and meditation that we reach an Understanding that acknowledges we aren’t in control. Let us ask that the peace that “passes all Understanding” fill us with serenity and extend across this entire 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 able to accept that I can’t Understand all that happens around me? What does it feel like when I am filled with the peace of knowing I don’t need to Understand everything in my life? 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., Dec. 11, 2011

For this Sunday, December 11th, the focus for our meditation will be on Essentials. There is a theory in psychology known as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in which it is believed that until basic and fundamental human needs are met, such as food, shelter, security, etc., the individual is unable to progress or master higher levels of functioning such as ethical conduct and what Maslow termed “self-actualization.” For the vast majority of Americans we have lost sight of how critical these basic needs truly are. Past historical events such as the great stock market crash and soup lines are now only dim memories from grainy black-and-white photographs in textbooks. Most of us never experience real famine, homelessness, or what could even be termed a hand-to-mouth existence. But more recent occurrences such as bank failures, corporate fraud, and a rising incidence in foreclosures and unemployment have introduced an entire sector of modern Americans to the struggle to meet basic needs in a way that has not been experienced in decades. As we approach the holiday season and find ourselves inundated with commercials urging people to lavishly spend (and implying that one can only be satisfied through the accumulation of these goods) it is easy to lose sight of what is truly Essential in life. Rather than focusing on the gaudy glitz of seasonal sales, let us consider what is most Essential and fundamental for our society to sustain itself and evolve. This week in our prayer and meditation let us ask that across this nation people’s most basic needs of being adequately fed, securely sheltered, and gainfully employed be met. Let us consider what is truly Essential for the most basic requirements of our society and ask that people be given the opportunity and resources to satisfy those needs.

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 recognize what is truly Essential in my life? What does it feel like when I am grateful for being able to meet my most Essential needs? 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., Dec. 4, 2011

For this Sunday, December 4th, the focus for our meditation will be on Simplicity. With the madness of Black Friday behind us we now find ourselves full bore in the frantic rush toward the end-of-year celebrations. It would take more than two hands to count the number of times I have heard people ask in the past week, “Are you ready for the holidays?” What the question implies is whether you have finished stringing lights, decorating the tree, getting gifts, sending out cards, etc. Look around and you see elaborate preparations being tended to everywhere. Stores began readying their holiday displays before we were even through Halloween. Instead of increasing the stress of the season, an alternative is to Simplify how we commemorate the holidays. Do less, not more, and choose to instead enjoy the Simple pleasure of company with friends and family. Engage in thoughtful conversation and savor the holiday meals as long as you can rather than spending days preparing food that will be consumed in 15 minutes. With our nation still under so much financial strain it would be helpful to return to the basics of what this holiday season is all about. When asked whether one is “ready” for the holidays the answer should be that we approach each and every day with a readiness to celebrate. This week in our prayer and meditation let us consider the Simple gifts we enjoy each day and give thanks for their presence in our life.

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 Simplicity across the nation.

The way to do this is to perceive in your body how the quality of Simplicity feels. Ask yourself how do I feel when I enjoy taking time to Simplify my life? How does it feel in my body when I appreciate the Simple pleasures that fill each day? 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