For this Sunday, March 1st, the focus for our meditation
will be on Interest. A 2013 documentary titled, “The Lady in
Number 6,” was about a woman named Alice Herz-Sommer who at the time of the
filming was the oldest living survivor of the Holocaust. Born and raised in Prague, she grew up to
become an accomplished violinist, and this talent saved her life. Removed from Prague by the Nazis, she was
sent to Theresienstadt where she was allowed to join the orchestra and perform for
their captors. One of the officers in
charge was so captivated by her playing that he told her she would never be
sent to the other camps so he could continue to listen to her music. The camp was ultimately liberated, and
Herz-Sommer returned to a life of music.
At the time of the documentary she lived in a small apartment in North
London and despite her 109 years of age played the piano every day. Her eyes shone clear and bright, and her face
almost continually held a charming smile.
Asked about the secret to not only her longevity but also the remarkable
absence of resentment about her Holocaust experience, Herz-Sommer spoke of how
she still fully enjoyed life by having a sincere Interest in everything around her.
When meeting new people, she always found something Interesting in their conversation and loved to learn about them and
their background. This ability to
sustain her Interest in others is
likely what kept her healthy and alert up to the age of 110 when she finally
passed of old age, one week before the documentary featuring her received an
Academy Award. Her story serves to
inspire the rest of us and prompts us to consider what captures our Interest in life. This week in our prayer and meditation let us
think about what we still find Interesting
about the life around us. If we are able
to change our focus from ourselves to others and find genuine Interest in their stories perhaps we,
too, may discover it sustains us over a long and productive 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 a deep and sincere Interest in learning about new
experiences and people? How does it feel
in my body when I am more Interested
in listening to others than in being solely focused on myself? 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
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