Meditation Instructions for Sun., December 27, 2015

For this Sunday, December 27th, the focus for our meditation will be on Adventure.  The author Paolo Coelho once wrote, “I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an Adventurer in search of treasure.  It’s all a question of how I view my life.”  In moments of forced change it is easy to see such disruptions as a period of turmoil in our life.  It seems to be human nature to want to resist change.  Many of us would prefer to cling to a comfortable existence without deviation from the reassuring familiarity of routine.  Yet our times of growth often only come when we are jolted out of our comfort zone and forced to adapt to the vagaries life sometimes likes to foist on us.  Rather than dig in our heels and try to avoid adapting to these shifts, let us instead view them with eagerness as if on the brink of a wonderful Adventure.  On the threshold of an Adventure, whether beginning a new job, moving to a different city, or even just taking a vacation filled with spontaneity there is a sense of excitement as to what we will encounter.  As we bring another year to a close and anticipate the beginning of 2016 in the coming week let us consider this theme of Adventure and all that awaits us in the New Year.  Let us ask that we be gently guided how to summon the courage and willingness to take on life as more of an Adventure than a struggle.  May we be shown how to weather change in our life through the lens of Adventure and come to appreciate the benefits we gain through the growth it brings to our life.

 

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 what do I feel in my body when I am about to embark on an exciting Adventure?  How does it feel in my body when I appreciate all that I am able to learn from a willingness to take on a new Adventure?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., December 20, 2015

For this Sunday, December 20th, the focus for our meditation will be on Peace.  One of my favorite “desert island” movies is Sandra Bullock’s “Miss Congeniality.”  There is a very funny scene where she, an FBI agent undercover as a beauty pageant contestant, delivers the required speech on how they would focus their efforts if given the title.  The audience is shown sitting in stunned silence after her lengthy harangue on stricter penalties for criminals but then breaks into thunderous applause after she adds the banal yet expected response, “and world Peace.”  Despite the obvious comedic play, this topic does indeed deserve our focus.  Imagine if everyone placed under their holiday tree a beautifully-decorated box that once opened released a wish for true Peace to exist in the world.  What better gift could we possibly give to each other?  After all, wasn’t this one of the gifts Jesus brought into the world for us?  “Peace I leave with you; my own Peace I give you; not as the world gives, I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”  (John 14:27)  It was one of his last blessings to his apostles to grant them a wish for Peace.  Not success, not riches, not fame, but Peace.  As we enter Christmas week let us take time to sincerely pray and meditate for all to receive the gift of Peace at this holy time of year.  On Christmas Day, let us pause to envision opening a very special gift box that offers the gift of Peace to our families, loved ones, neighbors, coworkers, and all whose presence brings a special meaning to our life.  As we do this, picture everyone else you know doing the same, releasing their gift of the wish of true Peace for all.  By adding your prayers to extend the power of this gift throughout our land think how many of our nation’s troubles might be alleviated. 

 

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 what do I feel in my body when am fully surrounded by a feeling of deep and total Peace?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to bring the gift of Peace to others in my life?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., December 13, 2015

For this Sunday, December 13th, the focus for our meditation will be on Soaring.  The English National Ballet Company has a fabulous program of movement through dance specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative disease that gradually diminishes one’s physical capabilities.  Accommodations are made for those who are no longer able to walk steadily or have limited range of motion.  The instructors who guide the classes are all members of the ballet company, and they are enthusiastic about the program’s impact that goes far beyond mere physical improvement.  “We give them the freedom to believe that they’re actually capable of achieving a lot more than they think they are, and so they leave the room Soaring.”  Having the opportunity to experience the joy of social contact, acceptance from others despite their limitations, and the benefits of physical activity boosts their spirits beyond what anyone anticipated.  For those of us blessed to be in good health the lesson is to ponder how we spend our precious time and whether it helps us Soar or instead wears us down.  As we enter a stressful and hectic period of the year let us gift ourselves with permission to take time in our life to do something we find fun, relaxing, fulfilling, and that leaves us feeling as though we are Soaring.  By lifting ourselves up through the activities we choose in our life may we find ourselves capable of so much more than we could have ever expected.

 

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 what do I feel in my body when am engaged in activity that leaves my spirit Soaring?  How does it feel in my body when I allow myself to take time to do something I enjoy and that makes my heart, mind and body Soar?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., December 6, 2015

For this Sunday, December 6th, the focus for our meditation will be on Courtesy.  A friend who recently visited abroad told me about an experience she and some travel companions had as they boarded a crowded bus in a major European city.  A woman, not in their group, who was obviously very far along in her pregnancy also boarded with them.  To her utter dismay, none of the seated passengers offered this woman a seat, and she was forced to cling precariously to a handhold to keep her balance along the bumpy route.  I have recently seen firsthand the increase in rudeness by drivers on the road and shoppers and travelers in long queues as they jostle for position.  In each instance their complete lack of Courtesy for others around them seems born by a sense that they are more entitled or that the others are somehow less worthy or equal in status.  When you think about it, this Discourteousness often appears to be at the source of so much of the senseless violence that erupts in our world today.  Even if a slight is unintentional, some people immediately perceive such offense as directed personally at them as individuals or at a class of people they may represent.  The anger this precipitates by no means justifies a violent response, but time and again people cite being treated with a lack of respect and Courtesy as what triggers them.  It is almost headline-making when someone stops to help a stranger these days by opening a door, retrieving dropped items, or performing some other random act of kindness.  As we enter this hectic holiday season, let us pause momentarily to meditate on the notion of Courtesy for other people.  Rather than rush senselessly from errand to errand, may we take a moment to consider if there are others around us who may be in need of some kindness and Courtesy from their fellow human beings.  During our prayer and meditation time this week let us ask to be gently reminded to treat others with Courtesy even when we may feel slighted in return.  Through the light and energy of our prayers may the generous spirit of Courtesy fill this nation and help ease so many of the tensions we feel at a particularly busy time of year.

 

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 what do I feel in my body when someone unexpectedly treats me with kindness and Courtesy?  How does it feel in my body when I am motivated to reach out to others around me and treat them with the graciousness of Courtesy?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., November 29, 2015

For this Sunday, November 29th, the focus for our meditation will be on Change.  I am a huge believer in the power of prayer and definitely have faith in the miracles it can produce.  Therefore, I was surprised to read a response from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the recent Paris attacks, when he wrote, “Violence is a reaction by short-sighted, out-of-control people.  At 81, I believe it cannot be resolved through prayers or government help.  We have to begin the Change at individual level and then move on to neighbourhood and society.”  When I first glanced at the quote I thought he was dismissing the value of prayer but after reading the message more carefully I realized he was exhorting people around the world of all faiths to do more than just pray.  In addition to our prayers we need to also be willing to first Change ourselves before we can expect Change from those around us.  I’ve written before about the ripple effect in the power of what we are trying to manifest through our meditation and prayer practice, and this is a another good example of that spreading chain reaction in what we do.  Let us this week in our prayer and meditation look within and identify what we would like to see Change about ourselves.  Let us ask for divine assistance in being gently directed toward ways that will help make a lasting Change that would be beneficial in our life.  By triumphing over Change in ourselves, may we ask that the ability to Change likewise spread to our families and friends, our work place, our neighborhoods and communities, and eventually across this nation and around the globe.  In kick-starting a campaign of true Change may we help others also make needed shifts that will be capable of eliminating hatred and evil in this world.

 

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 what do I recognize in myself that I would love to be able to Change?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to make a shift that Changes me as an individual?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., November 22, 2015

For this Sunday, November 22nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Improvement.  While standing in a grocery store checkout line I recently saw an article headline on what may have been a Buddhist magazine that read, “This life is not a self-Improvement tour.”  It got me to thinking about why, then, are we here to experience this lifetime?  Certainly it seems far more admirable to Improve ourselves and make ourselves a better human being than those who are devolving instead of evolving in this lifetime.  But ultimately that seems a very selfish goal.  Perhaps our goal should be to leave the world around us a better place.  Mother Teresa certainly didn’t appear to be focused on making herself better.  By her own admission she was as flawed a human being as the rest of us.  Her goal was to make those around her more comfortable, to feel less hungry and more loved.  She worked to help Improve the communities she so selflessly served.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us look around us to see where Improvements could be made.  Let us ask to be shown how to help Improve our schools, our neighborhoods, our workplace, our towns, and all the other communities we encounter in our life.  If more focus across this nation was directed to Improving our surroundings think how that might help ease so many of our country’s problems.

 

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 recognize a way I can help Improve conditions for others around me?  How does it feel in my body when I take time to do something that helps Improve the world?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., November 15, 2015

For this Sunday, November 15th, the focus for our meditation will be on Humanizing.  The mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico came up with a positive way to help the problem of homelessness in his city.  All too often authorities deal with the issue of homelessness by acts intended to discourage those who are in need, such as arresting panhandlers or placing barriers on public benches and other surfaces that might serve as a bed for the night.  But Mayor Richard Berry saw things differently and realized the homeless people he observed every day on the streets were Human beings; people who could be his brother or sister if things had turned out differently for his family.  He then came up with the idea to offer them work maintaining public areas in exchange for a fair hourly wage and a free meal.  People who accept the offer are picked up by a roaming van that gives them a waiting lunch and then transports them to various sites around the city to perform weeding, trash pickup, etc.  They are also given the opportunity to connect with available resources for assistance in counseling, health and housing services.  The vast majority of those approached by the city actually take them up on their offer.  The result is it helps those who are on hard times restore their dignity and self-respect.  Rather than just giving them a handout it gives them a chance to do meaningful work instead.  It also makes people see them in a more Humanizing way rather than turn away from the nameless in need.  The issue of de-Humanizing is at the root of so many of the world’s ills.  It is the foundation of human trafficking, domestic violence, child sex abuse, and is also demonstrated every time a radical terrorist group chooses to target innocent people to make a point.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask to be shown how to see our fellow citizens of the world as Human beings.  Let us see people in a more Humanizing way that allows us to recognize their intrinsic value as genuine people and not mere objects.  May a wave of Humanizing light spread across our nation and the entire globe help to ease so many of the troubles that result when we do not treat others with the kindness and respect they deserve.

 

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.

Let us also send the light and energy of our prayers to the people of Paris who were under siege this week by another senseless act of terrorism.  May our prayers help console those who have suffered loss in this tragic incident. 

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 see strangers in need in a Humanizing way?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize the homeless as Human beings?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., November 8, 2015

For this Sunday, November 8th, the focus for our meditation will be on Fun.  Have you seen the video making the rounds on social media of a subway staircase that was transformed into a piano?  The steps were covered with special material that made them resemble the black and white keys of a piano and produced a sound when someone stepped on them.  It was part of a research study to show how the number of people who chose to use the stairs rather than take an adjoining escalator significantly increased when the chore of climbing or descending the stairs was made more Fun.  Old and young alike not only chose to take the stairs but many of them opted to linger on their journey and “play” a tune on the steps.  I find a similar strategy works for me when I have to produce a complicated analysis of a written report, a task that can be mind-numbing at times because of its intensity.  On those occasions I imagine that I am teaching someone else how to do the analysis because instruction is something I enjoy doing.  It makes the assignment more Fun to do, and I feel less drained by it as a result.  While our lives may be made easy by those occasions when we genuinely are engaged in something Fun to do, there are times we could also make an arduous task less burdensome by figuring out a way to make it feel like play instead.  Didn’t we all when we were younger find a way to convert a chore like raking leaves or shoveling a sidewalk into something that felt more like a game?  Once those leaves were raked into a huge pile it made the perfect bed to cushion a body’s flying leap through the air.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider if there are ways as adults we can bring that same approach to our work and daily lives.  Let us ask if there are ways we can make an unpleasant task seem more like Fun than drudgery and find ourselves feeling more rejuvenated than worn out by what we are required to do.

 

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 remember how much Fun I have when I am engaged in something that feels more like play than work?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to transform an unpleasant chore into a task that I enjoy and find Fun to do?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., November 1, 2015

For this Sunday, November 1st, the focus for our meditation will be on Silence.  I recently read an article by someone who had experienced significant loss and grief in his life.  He spoke of the inanity of some of the comments people feel compelled to make to those who are grieving.  None of them were helpful and several were actually unintentionally hurtful to him.  Knowing someone who experiences a tragedy can be challenging for those who want to express their sympathy but aren’t quite sure what to do or say.  While perhaps well-meaning, comments that tend to dismiss the pain people are going through in order to encourage them to feel better actually make things worse by robbing them of the need to grieve.  Although several books have been written about the “stages” of grief, each person goes through the experience of loss individually.  The best way to honor that process is to acknowledge their loss and pain and then simply be present with them in comfortable Silence.  The mere fact that a caring friend or neighbor is willing to stay with someone in pain without shrinking away helps them feel understood and accepted despite the tragedy that may have irrevocably altered their life.  The physical presence of someone who sits in Silence with another who is grieving removes the need to say anything; by their presence they are giving the other person the freedom to just be no matter what they may be feeling in the moment.  A space filled with Silence is not empty or devoid of compassion but is a validation of what the other person is feeling simply by being a witness to it.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us ask to be shown how to be comfortable with Silence when it is needed.  May we be gently guided to recognize the power of Silence in the presence of pain and be willing to overcome our own discomfort by accepting those moments when words are not necessary.

 

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 able to feel comfortable being Silent in the presence of others?  How does it feel in my body when I understand how moments of Silence can be filled with compassion for those who are in pain?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., October 25, 2015

For this Sunday, October 25th, the focus for our meditation will be on Civility.  It has long been recognized that there is something about the anonymity of the Internet that encourages a disturbing amount of insensitive remarks towards others.   Complete strangers who hide behind a remote screen feel compelled to spew their venom often without reason and apparently just as a means to vent their own anger and unhappiness.  It is such a common phenomenon that there is even a name for those who “troll” popular social media or chat sites and blogs waiting for some unsuspecting victim to cross their path.  I’ve seen it in Internet groups of people with similar interests, such as in dogs, and been aghast to read nasty comments posted by others simply because they disagree with the kind of leash someone uses, or what they feed their pet, or how they are training them.  The comments often are so vicious that I find it hard to believe that if the conversation were held in person they would express themselves so freely.  While some can brush it off, others are devastated by such unfair criticism, and it can lead to tragedy when someone tries to make another person feel worthless particularly if they are already emotional vulnerable or fragile.  This week in our meditation time let us work to counter the ever-present tide of rudeness on the Internet and direct the light and energy of our prayers to foster greater Civility in its place.  Let us ask that people stop and consider the human being on the other end of their electronic communication before lashing out.  Given that political rhetoric is also beginning to ramp up as we lead into another presidential election next fall, let us also ask that this same energy of decency and Civility extend to those who seek political office across this nation. 

 

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 appreciate the presence of Civility from those I encounter in person or on the Internet?  How does it feel in my body when I am aware others are treating me with decency and Civility despite differences in opinion?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., October 18, 2015

For this Sunday, October 18th, the focus for our meditation will be on Darkness.  I always find such profound meaning in the writings of Father Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar, who wrote, “There are two wildernesses, two Darknesses in the spiritual journey. One you go into by your own stupidity, by your sin, blindness, ignorance and mistakes. We all do that. But there’s another Darkness. The holy Darkness is the Darkness that God leads us into, through and beyond. This is a necessary Darkness for the journey. In a certain sense, God’s Darkness is a much better teacher than light. There comes a time when you have to either go deeper into faith or you will turn back, when you have to live without knowing or you lose faith altogether.”  Without Darkness most of us would not achieve the developmental progress we do in this life, for it is the Darkness that often compels us to make difficult decisions and change.  If we were not forcefully prodded to enter the Dark tunnels we all find ourselves in from time to time how would we ever have discovered the light that exists at the other end?  It is the hopeful exploration driven by our blindness in the Dark that allows us to plumb the depths of our beliefs and discover just how resilient our faith can be.  Such periods of Darkness can lead to an even stronger sense of faith and connection to God that fortify our foundation to the core and allow us to emerge a better person on the other end.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us consider whether there are Dark places in our life into which we have been afraid to venture.  Let us ask to be shown how to enter those periods of Darkness that we all encounter in our life with hope and faith and ask to be guided by Spirit in a way that helps see us through to the other end, victorious. 

 

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 recognize how I am aware of the spiritual guidance that surrounds me during periods of Darkness in my life?  How does it feel in my body when I have struggled through a period of a Dark tunnel in my life only to finally emerge stronger into the light?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., October 11, 2015

For this Sunday, October 11th, the focus for our meditation will be on Sharing.  In a talk by author Dr. Brené Brown she speaks about her belief that she cannot be truly happy until all people in the world experience happiness.  This belief stems from her strong awareness of our Shared connection to the rest of humanity.  If others are in pain and suffering then none of us can be completely at peace and totally happy.  However, our connectedness does not mean we must necessarily adopt their pain and abandon our own happiness.  The connectedness works in all directions, so we can also transmit to others some of our happiness in a way that may help ease their distress.  If enough people around the world were willing to Share the sense of joy or contentment they experience it may be possible for these positive emotions to gradually radiate around the entire globe.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ponder what we find ourselves Sharing with the rest of the world.  Do we radiate anger and resentment, or do we make a purposeful attempt to Share instead simple moments of joy, feeling confident that someone else out there may benefit from that energy.  Let us maintain an awareness of our connectedness to others and ask to be gently reminded to Share the abundance of our joy with the world.

 

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 recognize how I am connected to others and gladly Share the positive feelings that I have?  How does it feel in my body when I appreciate the abundance of goodness in my life and consciously Share this joy with others in need?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., October 4, 2015

For this Sunday, October 4th, the focus for our meditation will be on Signals.  I know several people for whom the appearance of a particular bird, animal or insect following the loss of a loved one is interpreted as a reassuring Signal that the individual who has passed is happy or content with where they are.  Other friends attribute great significance to seeing the digital clock display of 11:11 which regularly gets their notice and holds a particular meaning as a Sign or Signal in their life.  What is the purpose of such Signals?  They are to get our attention, to make sure we don’t miss or overlook something important.  Sometimes they help us piece together the synchronicities that occur around us and recognize the connection between this moment and another in terms of importance.  They serve to remind us of our close association with God and our spiritual helpers and to get us to pause from the daily rush to acknowledge their presence in our life.  They are like the attention-getting ding of a smartphone as a text message comes in, telling us to break momentarily from what we are doing and connect with another being.  Haven’t we all had those times when, facing a particularly difficult decision or choice, something seemingly innocuous appeared in our environment that served not just as an alerting Signal but also a beacon that helped direct us in the right direction?  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider those instances when Signals have appeared at just the right moment when we needed them most.  Let us ask to be gently shown how to become more aware of the presence of such Signals and to grow our appreciation for their significance in our life. 

 

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 have recognized the presence of a Signal in my life that helped bring my focus to something important I might have otherwise overlooked?  How does it feel in my body when I appreciate the significance of Signals in my life that help me acknowledge the palpable presence of Spirit in my life?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., September 27, 2015

For this Sunday, September 27th, the focus for our meditation will be on Acceptance.  Most of us are probably familiar with a well-known prayer by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr that is often referred to as the Serenity Prayer.  The prayer is a simple one:  “God, grant me the serenity to Accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  A key element to this prayer refers to the concept of Acceptance which is not synonymous with resignation or apathy.  It is about freely giving one’s consent once you recognize the limits of your ability to influence or change a particular circumstance.  Acknowledging the intractability of a situation without criticism relieves the need for judgment and better allows one to be more fully in the moment.  You regain control because only you can give your consent to Accept the otherwise undesirable condition.  But what about situations that should never be Accepted?  Should a person ever consent to being the target of racial prejudice?  It makes no sense to expect someone who is the victim of sexual abuse to ever agree to such treatment.  In these instances Acceptance does not mean condoning the situation but simply recognizes there may not be anything one can immediately do about it.  Rather than hold onto the anger and frustration from trying to resist something that cannot be overcome, Acceptance lets you release your attachment to it.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us look at those situations in our life that may be a source of irritation and consider whether we may want to choose Acceptance over futile resistance that only drains us.  Let us ask to be shown greater discernment as to when we want to try to overcome a difficulty and when we are better off releasing ourselves from it through Acceptance instead.

 

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 appreciate the value that comes from Accepting some situations?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize Acceptance may be the best use of my energy instead of resistance?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., September 20, 2015

For this Sunday, September 20th, the focus for our meditation will be on Effort.  In April 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt delivered an address to the Sorbonne, the esteemed university in Paris, France.  His theme was individual citizenship, or the Effort put forth by the common man through sometimes small actions that collectively contribute to advancing the greatness of an entire nation.  There is an oft-cited portion of his speech that goes, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no Effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”  His remarks make clear that without Effort, without at least giving it our best try, we cannot accomplish anything.  Yes, there will be failures and times when we fall short, but the act of striving and putting forth an Effort is what will ultimately allow us to succeed.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us consider how we make an Effort in our life.  Let us ask if there are ways in which we have not taken the initiative for fear of failure and be shown how to courageously step forward and make an attempt to accomplish something we feel may be greater than our abilities.  If all across our country were willing to put forth the Effort to do our best, just think how great this nation could become. 

 

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 willing to put forth the Effort even though I know I may not always succeed?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to make an Effort in a way that contributes to a larger achievement?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., September 13, 2015

For this Sunday, September 13th, the focus for our meditation will be on Visualization.  Thanks to modern neuroimaging studies our current understanding of the brain has drastically changed over the decades.  For instance, the notion of the “left brain” being responsible for verbal activity and logical reasoning and the “right brain” being attributed to spatial skills and creativity have since been debunked.  Instead, the entire brain is engaged in these processes, and research has shown most functions are not isolated to a single geographically contained set of neurons.  Just as fascinating, brain research has also shown that the act of Visualizing oneself engaging in a particular activity will activate the same neural patterns as actually doing the activity itself.  Since activation of neural connections strengthen and reinforce their ability to fire more efficiently this shows how the power of mental preparation, especially for physically challenging tasks, can enhance our subsequent performance of that skill.  Highly competitive athletes have understood this for years and recognized the value in utilizing coaches who train them in psychological techniques rather than just physical exercises to improve their abilities.  Visualization becomes more than just a mental exercise but also has kinetic properties that lead to better, faster, and stronger results.  The key is in making the Visualization process as realistic as possible and feeling as much of the sensations one would normally experience when engaged in the activity.  If you are able to achieve this, the potential for change and improvement is limitless.  You don’t need to be a high performance athlete to benefit from Visualization.  Mentally preparing for any challenge, even something such as having to conduct a difficult conversation, can increase our confidence when we subsequently tackle the task.  The key is in understanding that the mental act of imagining or Visualizing ourselves doing something changes our physical brain and ultimately improves how we perform.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us consider what changes or improvements we might like to see take shape in our life.  May we be shown a better way to Visualize a new pattern or outcome we may not have been able to imagine previously.  Let us remove any blocks that have prevented us from making desired changes in our life and use the power of Visualization to bring them to reality. 

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 have used Visualization to help me successfully prepare for a challenging task?  How does it feel in my body when I acknowledge that I can change myself and how I behave through the power of Visualization?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., September 6, 2015

For this Sunday, September 6th, the focus for our meditation will be on Rewards.  One of the most common regrets expressed by those who are near the end of their life is that they wish they hadn’t worked so hard.  Because of their misguided zeal to succeed at a career they sacrificed time with family and friends that could never be recaptured.  This does not mean that we should be slothful and abandon all efforts to be successful; it simply reminds us to maintain a balance in our life so our work drive does not supplant other aspects that are equally important and Rewarding.  To avoid coming to the end of our life and having this regret we want to remain mindful of allowing ourselves to experience the Rewards that come from hard work.  As the bumper sticker says, “Work to Live, don’t Live to Work.”  When I am consumed by a project for work it would be easy for me to remain so focused that I neglect taking care of myself.  Instead, I’ve learned over time to break the project up into small milestones and to Reward myself when each one is reached.  Since I work from home I don’t have the option of socializing around the office water cooler.  But once a task milestone is completed I permit myself to get up, take a walk with the dog, go get a snack, or do something that essentially gives myself a pat on the back.  Our national holiday this weekend was established to honor the labors of all workers.  Even as we celebrate our national compulsion with hard work, let us also consider whether we give ourselves sufficient Rewards for our accomplishments.  This coming week as we return to work or school let us take time to occasionally pause and give ourselves a well-deserved Reward that shows our efforts are not entirely in vain.

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 willing to Reward myself for a job well done?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize the importance of taking time from work to Reward my achievements?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., August 30, 2015

For this Sunday, August 30th, the focus for our meditation will be on Action.  Franciscan friar and author Richard Rohr once wrote, “We don’t think ourselves into a new way of living; we live ourselves into a new way of thinking.”  What his wisdom teaches us is that it takes more than sheer mental discipline and willpower to create change; it takes Action.  One may have the best of intentions to break a bad habit or take on a healthier way of living but until you really Act on that intention no progress can be made.  The failure to take Action is the curse of both the procrastinator and the perfectionist.  While one perpetually delays for another time something that never comes to be the other is restrained from Acting until all conditions are perfectly aligned.  Rohr’s writing reminds us that the power of thought is limited as to how much it can accomplish.  Real change can only come from our striking out and taking Action, even if we are not certain of what needs to be done first.  It is as though we could recline in our armchairs and plan an entire trail hike by imagining each individual step.  At some point we need to get up and begin walking, even if we aren’t sure where the path will lead us.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider whether there are changes we would like to make in our life that we need to Act upon.  Is there something different I would like to see in my life that I need to take that first step and through Action bring it to reality?  Let us also look across our nation and consider what changes are needed that require people to take Action so they come to be more than a mere thought or wish.

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 eager to take Action in order to effect real change in my life?  How does it feel in my body when I am aware of the progress I can make by taking Action rather than just thinking about change?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., August 23, 2015

For this Sunday, August 23rd, the focus for our meditation will be on Self-Esteem.  Mental health professionals have seen an alarming increase in stress and anxiety disorders among college students, and statistics indicate a corresponding increase in suicide rates among 15- to 24-year olds.  Our youth are under such pressure to build resumes rather than build character that it is easy to lose sight of figuring out one’s own identity instead of tacking on activities to impress others.  Comparisons with one’s peer group can seem unrealistically harsh with postings to social media that make it appear everyone else but you is living the perfect life.  I recall the angst of adolescence – those awkward in-between years where you try to figure out who you are as an individual.  There was a time when I would take out my wallet and proudly leaf through the growing collection of laminated cards and slips of paper that I mistakenly felt represented my identity.  A library card was trumped by a school identity card which eventually became trumped by a driver’s license, and then my very first credit card (from a gasoline company).  There was a false sense of identity and even accomplishment that seemed to sprout from each successive addition of small slips of paper or plastic.  It took some time, but I eventually came to realize that my identity came from within and that Self-Esteem had to blossom inside rather than being given to us by others.  Once I came to understand that life felt so much easier.  There were still hardships and disappointments, but at the root of it all I had developed a genuine liking of who I was that helped weather those bumpy places.  This week in our prayer and meditation time, let us ask that our young people across this country who are beginning the school year recognize the importance of valuing themselves and feeling a genuine sense of Self-Esteem.  May the light and energy of our prayers help those who may be struggling with feelings of self-worth, and may they be encouraged on their life path to appreciate their unique identity and develop the Self-Esteem that will sustain them through the challenges that will come.

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 truly cherish who I am as an individual and thus feel a strong sense of Self-Esteem?  How does it feel in my body when I realize my sense of Self-Esteem comes from within me and not from others?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

If you or someone you know may be considering ending a life via suicide please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 and speak with someone who wants to help.

Meditation Instructions for Sun., August 16, 2015

For this Sunday, August 16th, the focus for our meditation will be on Participation.  Have you seen the cartoon showing a person standing in front of St. Peter at the gates to heaven?  The accompanying bubble quotes St. Peter as saying something to the effect of, “You had a wonderful life, but you missed it because you were looking at your phone.”  I see this all the time.  Young couples seated across from each other at a table in a restaurant and rather than engage in conversation each is absorbed with their smartphone.  People at a sporting event who instead of taking in the event live and enjoying the crowd bury their head and watch the action on their phone screen.  Even without the distraction of modern technology it can easy for some people to sit on the sidelines and be mere passive observers of the life around them rather than full Participants.  To Participate in life means to be fully engaged in or to become involved in what is happening around you.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider how fully we Participate in life.  Let us ask if there are times we remain more distant rather than engaged with others and ask to be gently shown how to be more active Participants in the events around us.  If more people across this nation were willing to be involved rather than sit idly and criticize perhaps we would have fewer crises to deal with in our society.

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 an active Participant in the events of my life?  How does it feel in my body when I am fully engaged with others and Participating in activities rather than being passive?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., August 9, 2015

For this Sunday, August 9th, the focus for our meditation will be on Agreement.  I once had a colleague whose wife had recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma remark that there was too much fuss made over breast cancer in terms of fund raising and public support.  His comments came, no doubt, from his frustration and helplessness over his wife’s situation and feeling as though not enough attention had been paid to curing her form of cancer.  What stunned me at the time was his apparent resentment of anyone outside his immediate circle of distress and need.  It was as though her form of cancer was more important than other forms of cancer.  We are seeing something similar in recent weeks with the bickering back and forth among groups who align with a cause and demand that any other group’s interests be considered subordinate to theirs.  The public outrage over the killing of a protected lion was met with equal indignation not just by pro-hunting groups but by numbers of people whose sole focus on other important issues so consumed them that they could not express Agreement or empathy for a different cause.  As one social networking post put it, it was as though an unhealthy competitive spirit somehow crept into our need for affiliation.  Why should people care about global warming when we really should focus on trying to feed the poor?  Shouldn’t my child with leukemia be considered more important (and therefore more worthy of a cause) than your child with autism?   And on and on it goes.  Rather than allow others to hold different views, people feel compelled to force them to accept the prioritization of their own needs and interests.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider that sometimes we want to be willing to Agree to disagree with each other.  Neither side has to be forced to accept the other’s point of view and opinions – we simply want to recognize that differences can be Agreed upon as acceptable. 

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 willing to Agree to disagree with someone who has different views from mine?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to reach a state of Agreement with another person who holds different beliefs?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., August 2, 2015

For this Sunday, August 2nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Helpfulness.  Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that you cannot sincerely try to Help another without Helping yourself.”  Seeing another person in need and stepping forward to Help, even in the simplest of ways such as opening a door for someone, can snap us out of our own little world of egotistical self-focus.  If we are wallowing in self-pity it can help us recognize that there are others with far worse burdens than what we carry.  I can’t think of a single quality that would bring greater improvement to the world than if people were more motivated by Helpfulness.  Envy and greed would instead be replaced by seeing those who lack and taking action to Help them through generosity.  Anger and hatred would be left behind by those who might otherwise lash out and attack others to redirect their energy toward bringing aid and comfort to their fellow human beings.  Imagine the conflicts that could be avoided if people acted from a desire to be Helpful to others rather than in finding fault and criticism.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask to be reminded to consider before we speak or act whether the result will be genuinely Helpful.  May we seek to find ways to be more Helpful to those around us and in the process recognize how we ultimately receive benefit as well.

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 motivated to be Helpful to those in need around me?  How does it feel in my body when I am aware I become a better human being by seeking to Help others?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., July 26, 2015

For this Sunday, July 26th, the focus for our meditation will be on Deliberateness.  I spend a lot of time in New York City on business and as a result over the years have acquired certain habits.  Specifically, I tend to walk like a New Yorker – fast, determined, and with a no-nonsense focus on reaching my final objective.  When it is high tourist season in the city it tests my patience as I am forced to sidestep gawking sightseers more intent on absorbing the scenes than on reaching a destination.  While I might believe my Olympian pace serves me well it also interferes with my ability to take notice of all that is around me.  Fortunately, I have a dog who believes that walks are for leisure and enjoyment and thus helps to balance my desire for speed.  On our daily walks around the neighborhood she is allowed to regularly stop and sniff all the fascinating smells that entice her.  As she takes in all this sensory pleasure I pause and similarly try to notice all that is in our environment.  We are routinely presented with the graceful leaps of deer, scampering rabbits, lovely old trees that reach into the skies, and incredibly gorgeous sunsets.  If I went through our development in my power walk mode all of this would be overlooked.  The lesson for me is that by being more Deliberate I am rewarded with all of these beautiful moments.  It encourages me to try and bring this same quality into other aspects of my life.  Rather than rush to a decision or action, I try to instead consider taking my time, for that will better allow me to take in additional information and thus make a more informed choice.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us ponder whether we might benefit from going through life in a more thoughtful and Deliberate fashion.  Let us try to restrain the impulse to rush ahead and as an alternative take our time in order to fully experience each moment.  By opening ourselves to a more leisurely and Deliberate approach may we better connect with Spirit and thus be led rather than blindly hurry and miss the best of life.

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 take my time and am more Deliberate in my actions?  How does it feel in my body when by taking a Deliberate approach I can better sense the presence of Spirit who directs me?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., July 19, 2015

For this Sunday, July 19th, the focus for our meditation will be on Impact.  There are times when news headlines can leave me feeling utterly helpless against the pervasiveness of evil in the world.  I’m not quite so pessimistic as to think things are becoming worse, but I do very much believe that man’s barbarism against his fellow man has ancient roots.  Those of us who consider ourselves to be “light workers,” seeking to bring more goodness and light into the world, can begin to question whether we are having any positive Impact at all.  At such moments I find encouragement in what has become known in chaos theory as the “butterfly effect.”  The concept comes from the understanding that the tiny perturbations of a butterfly’s wings can set off a cascade of conditions that subsequently Impact the weather halfway around the globe.  It is not, however, a simple cause-and-effect theory.  The butterfly beating its wings in the Amazon jungle does not directly lead to a tornado in Texas.  Instead, the seemingly trivial movement of air from the wings of the butterfly becomes just one of a series of events in a ripple effect that ultimately combine to have a much more consequential Impact elsewhere in the world.  I firmly believe the energy of our prayers can have this same effect, combining with the energy of others praying around the globe and eventually bringing about positive change.  This week in our prayer and meditation time, as we consider the events across our nation of late, may we seek to send out more love and light, confident in knowing we are indeed making a positive Impact.  May all those who strive to bring goodness and light into the world recognize the Impact of their prayers and actions and feel encouraged in knowing their work ripples far beyond where they may perceive.

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 aware of how the energy of my prayers can Impact others?  How does it feel in my body when I know the prayers and encouragement of others have had a positive Impact on my life?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., July 12, 2015

For this Sunday, July 12th, the focus for our meditation will be on Receiving.  I have written before about an art project that was done at an annual retreat by Rev. Jennifer Halls in which we had to make plaster casts of our hands.  The concept behind the project was to make us more aware of our readiness (or not) to Receive assistance from others.  To make the plaster casts you had to plunge your hands into containers of wet plaster and leave them there for what seemed an interminable amount of time for them to set.  Being thusly encumbered you had to rely on your assistants for every need.  Want a drink of water?  You had to ask someone to hold a cup to your mouth.  Pestered by flying insects (as the project was done outdoors in a wooded environment)?  Someone else had to swat them away for you.  Feeling overly warm in the sun?  You had to learn to ask another person to fan you.  I’m not sure what was more onerous to me – having my hands encased up to my wrists in plaster or having to ask for help – but the project made me keenly aware of my innate reluctance to Receive assistance from others.  It grates on me to have to ask for help, as I proudly consider myself to be quite capable and self-reliant.  Yet, I have come to learn that denying someone the ability to offer assistance robs them of the opportunity to give their gift to the world.  It is a selfish act to refuse to Receive from others.  By learning to open my heart and graciously Receive from other people it enables them to make a valuable contribution they would otherwise not be able to offer.  Sometimes this lesson comes to us in the simplest of ways.  Consider whether you are one of those individuals who when thanked, responds emphatically, “No, thank you!”  Instead, try Receiving the gratitude with a more open heart and learn to say, “You’re welcome!”  The difference over time will amaze you.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us think about the ways we may want to be more willing to Receive from those whom we encounter in life.  Let us ask to be gently shown how to readily open our hearts and accept the offer of assistance from others in a way that Receives them with love and gratitude. 

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 gladly Receive offers of assistance from others?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize that my ability to Receive from others helps me expand my own heart?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com

Meditation Instructions for Sun., July 5, 2015

For this Sunday, July 5th, the focus for our meditation will be on Sanctuary.  Our nation was created by our Founders years ago as a place of refuge for those seeking to be rid of oppression.  It offers guaranteed basic rights to all its citizens and affords them the opportunity to speak openly without fear of reprisal or to worship as they wish.  Since then this land has become known as a Sanctuary where others may flee to live in safety.  Recent accounts of refugees who left their former homelands because of war or political upheaval and subsequently became naturalized citizens fill one with pride.  We are so very fortunate by mere virtue of our birthplace to be able to live the way we do without worry of persecution.  As we celebrate a holiday weekend commemorating our nation’s independence, let us also give thanks that we are able to live so freely.  Let us use the light and energy of our prayers and meditation to support those in need of Sanctuary that they may find a place of safety and refuge where they feel accepted with open arms.

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 in a place of Sanctuary that surrounds me with peace and tranquility?  How does it feel in my body when I know where I live presents me with a Sanctuary of safety and security?  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 kmiritello@gmail.com