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
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