Meditation Instructions for Sun., Jan. 29, 2012

For this Sunday, January 29th, the focus for our meditation will be on Emotion. In her 2008 book, “My Stroke of Insight,” Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor describes, as only a neuroanatomist could, her experience at age 37 when she suddenly developed a stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain. The event incapacitated her, rendering her immobile and speechless and requiring eight years of therapy for her to fully recover. Despite the catastrophic nature of the event what was particularly surprising to her was the incredible sense of blissful serenity she experienced. She found herself feeling emotionally detached from the reactions of those around her. She was not entirely devoid of Emotions – she could still sense, for instance, when her caregivers treated her with kind compassion and was likewise critically aware of when they did not. But the prior connections that would automatically engage in critical self-judgment and induce negative Emotions such as shame or embarrassment were now absent. The lesson for the rest of us is to consider how our Emotional patterns may be hindering us. Do we find ourselves holding on to hurts and slights long after the initial moment? Are we overly critical of ourselves and far too readily accept others’ judgments or care too much about what others think? Instead, let us ask this week in our prayer and meditation that we find a way to disconnect from these negative Emotional habits. Let us find a way to remove the Emotional barriers we create and reach a level of detachment that brings the peace of complete self-acceptance.

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 free of negative Emotional patterns and feel at peace with myself? What does it feel like when I have the Emotional detachment that brings me the serenity of self-acceptance? 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., Jan. 22, 2012

For this Sunday, January 22nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Direction. Last week’s meditation topic was on the choices that present themselves to us in our life. This week, we want to consider in what Direction those choices ultimately lead us. Perhaps if we had a clearer sense of the Direction we want our life to take it would be easier to figure out the right choices along the way. The question is how do we determine what Direction we should be taking? Part of the answer comes from understanding our karmic path – whether that be driven by challenges and obstacles that are placed in our way in this lifetime or in past lives. With each lifetime we are given an opportunity to do what I call “course correction.” How did I fall off the path in the past, and what can I do this time around to be better aligned with the Direction I want to take? In parallel to our own individual path our nation also has to determine the best Direction for it to take. We carry so much potential as a nation rich in opportunities and resources, yet at times the right Direction seems perhaps even less clear than the one we are trying to find for our own life. In our prayer and meditation this week let us ask that we receive assistance in finding the best Direction for ourselves and our nation that will ultimately help us all to achieve our highest good.

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 clearly see the Direction my life needs to take? What does it feel like when I feel a strong sense of following the right Direction in what I am doing? 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., Jan. 15, 2012

For this Sunday, January 15th, the focus for our meditation will be on Choice. This is a year that will present many opportunities to make Choices with a national election coming up in the fall. Even now, as campaigning begins to ramp up, the flames of rhetoric slowing being fanned to pyrrhic levels, all appears to be building to a crescendo of finger-pointing and criticism. So much of this reminds me of the quote about “cursing the darkness.” When criticism and complaints are voiced, what do they actually accomplish? I recently heard someone complaining about the perceived ineptitude of their local police department. Does simply complaining do anything to positively impact the problem and make a needed change? In the news this week there is much criticism being voiced of some Marines and their abhorrent conduct during a tour of service in Afghanistan. When such a shameful act occurs, consider what Choice we as mere observers have. While some would claim there is little impact we can make, let us light a candle and turn to prayer rather than rants. Don’t like your elected officials? Pray for them that they be given the qualities they need to better carry out their duties. Finding yourself feeling angry about some event in the news? Pray instead that those individuals you could Choose to revile be moved to change for the better. Let us consciously make a Choice throughout this year to work to bring light rather than darkness through the power of our prayers. Let us not underestimate the power of this Choice that is always available an option.

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 make positive Choices in my life? What does it feel like when I Choose to light a candle rather than curse the darkness? 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., Jan. 8, 2012

For this Sunday, January 8th, the focus for our meditation will be on Discipline. There is a common misconception that people who are considered religious martyrs or saints had somehow attained a state of “perfection” in living life. We tend to think of them as strong individuals who never wavered in their path and therefore experienced none of the weaknesses and temptations that litter the path of the rest of us mere mortals. A 2010 book by Eric Metaxas on the martyred German pastor, Diedrich Bonhoeffer (“Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy”), dispels this illusion. Prior to his imprisonment Bonhoeffer had been occasionally prone to spells of depression, yet in letters to friends while incarcerated he reassured them he did not find himself plagued by this in the least. Numerous witnesses during the time of his imprisonment by the Nazis have attested to the immense feeling of calm that characterized Bonhoeffer, even during such terrifying moments as bombing raids on the prison where he was being held. His secret? He gave credit to his source of strength in the Discipline he maintained of daily prayer and meditation, the reading of the Bible, and the singing of favorite German hymns. As Metaxas puts it, “So Bonhoeffer was not ‘naturally’ strong and courageous. His equanimity was the result of self-discipline, of deliberately turning to God.” In our prayer and meditation let us consider in what manner we may benefit and gain strength from added Discipline in our life. Is there perhaps some practice we want to maintain more consistently that would help us mentally, physically, or spiritually? In addition, let us consider how our nation would benefit from greater Discipline and where that is most needed as we look to the future of this great country.

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 Discipline in my daily routine? What does it feel like when I am able to strengthen myself against weakness and temptation through a conscious focus on Discipline in my life? 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