Meditation Instructions for Sun., Nov. 18, 2012

For this Sunday, November 18th, the focus for our meditation will be on Open-Mindedness.  Confirmation bias is a concept much in vogue in recent years in the area of understanding human behavior and decision-making.  It is a flaw we are all prone to and comes from the remarkable staying power of having drawn a conclusion.  Once we believe we have enough information to make a decision or form an opinion that initial position tends to stick even in the face of contradictory information.  Confirmation bias serves as a filter that often blinders us to the presence of salient information that does not match what we have already come to believe and instead allows us to only recognize and process that which already confirms what we believe we know.  In this post-election period our nation needs both parties to work together.  Given the chasm that now exists it is unlikely that either side will convince the other that they are wrong and to completely alter their position.  But at a minimum we want to influence all elected officials to not shut the other side out and to be willing to consider what their opponents hold as important that may differ from their view.  In our prayer and meditation efforts we want to foster a willingness to be Open-Minded.  With a greater spirit of being receptive to the views of the other side perhaps our nation will more readily find a way to reconcile differences and reach amicable agreements that benefit all.

In our efforts this week let us also continue to use the energy of our prayers and meditation to amplify the light that covers and fills this nation.  As we perform our meditation this week let us begin by re-energizing the brilliance and power of the light we create.  Just as before, begin by forming a concentrated ball of light that is so bright it is almost impossible to look directly at it.  Raise this sphere of light up high over the nation and then let its rays cascade down to create a solid, impenetrable dome of light that completely covers every inch of our country.  From shore to shore and border to border let the entire continent be filled with this brilliant, dense light that will serve to magnify the best and highest qualities of our country and the people who live across its vast lands. 

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, and connect to the circle of others participating in this project. 

Ask yourself how do I feel when I am Open-Minded and able to consider the opposing view of others?  How does it feel in my body when I am willing to remain Open-Minded and consider new information that may contradict what I have come to believe?  Then send the energy and intention of those feelings 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