For this Sunday, June 22nd, the focus for our meditation
will be on Open-Mindedness. I was recently talking with a friend about
her mother’s impending visit from another city.
The friend was bemoaning that during the visit she would have to
intentionally censor her conversations so as not to stray into areas where she
and her mother held opposing views. Past
experience had taught her that entering into any discussion of politics or religion or whatever the latest topic being churned by the media happened
to be would only lead to a path of frustration and anger. She made the remark that there is nothing you
can do to change another person’s mind.
As I thought about it more I realized this isn’t necessarily true. Case in point is how my own views have
drastically shifted over time. Coming
from a traditional Catholic upbringing there was a very long period when I held
onto certain beliefs that I now no longer retain. For example, I was one of those who initially
thought the Harry Potter stories were dangerous for young people. After all, didn’t they promote
witchcraft? Wasn’t that heretical to
Christian tenets? As I look back on
those views now I have to laugh given how I have come to embrace the Harry
Potter books, movies, and culture. How
did that transition take place from Muggle to Believer? Somewhere along the way I had to Open my Mind and become willing to
entertain the notion that maybe these books weren’t entirely dangerous. From that vantage point I could then move to
a position of appreciating all the positive impact they had. Teens and young people were encouraged to
read books once again. They felt
inspired or encouraged in their efforts to deal with difficulty in their own
lives, especially against bullying. The
change occurred over time but had to begin with my willingness to first
consider an opposing view without immediately dismissing it. This same transformative process has occurred
in many ways in my life over the years, each time resulting in a huge shift in
perspective that was ultimately beneficial.
This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider whether we
are holding onto beliefs that no longer serve us well. Let us ask if we need to adopt more Open-Mindedness in order to make helpful
shifts in our thinking. If more people
in this nation were willing to have an Open
Mind perhaps we would find our society less divisive and more willing to
reconcile differences.
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 entire 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 willing to consider views that differ from
mine? How does it feel in my body when I
am able to remain Open-Minded and
receptive to 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
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