Meditation Instructions for Sun., May 31, 2015

For this Sunday, May 31st, the focus for our meditation will be on Patterns.  Some time ago I began experiencing problems with my knee that actually turned out to have nothing at all to do with my knee but instead were related to poor biomechanics.  It definitely confirms that I am a slow learner.  It took me until the 4^th decade of my life to learn how to style my hair and apply makeup in a half-decent manner.  And now I am in the 5^th decade and apparently still haven’t learned how to walk properly.  Thanks to a very talented massage therapist named Adeha Feustel and a Feldenkreis practitioner named Brenda Sorkin they were able to identify the problem with my posture and walking mechanics.  They gave me exercises and stretches to perform, exercises that were deceptively simple.  On the surface, they often appeared as though they couldn’t possibly be having much effect, but deep down they were in fact re-Patterning my nervous system.  Because of my poor biomechanics a disconnect had occurred, and over time this led to musculoskeletal problems due to the resulting strain.  It was astounding how well these simple exercises worked.  I think we often don’t give our nervous system enough credit for how much plasticity it can have even as we grow older.  Years ago the theory was that you were born with the total number of neurons you would possess in your life, and they simply began gradually dying off over time.  Modern neuroscience has since established that we are capable of regenerating new neural connections even as we age.  For me, this is the basis of my optimism that everyone is capable of fundamental change.  We are not bound by the characteristics or traits that may initially define us as individuals and can, in fact, alter who we are by learning how to integrate new Patterns into our life.  If this holds true for human beings, I also believe it can be true in the case of organizations, groups, and nations.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us consider whether there are Patterns in our life that we would like to change.  May we be shown effective, gentle ways to re-Pattern ourselves so that we achieve more fully all of which we are capable.  Additionally, let us ask that our country, beset by much strife and conflict, be directed in ways to change Patterns that may be diverting us from our sacred contract as a 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 am aware of the ability to change Patterns of behavior in my life?  How does it feel in my body when I am successful in my efforts to re-Pattern the way I respond or behave?  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., May 24, 2015

For this Sunday, May 24th, the focus for our meditation will be on Sacrifice.  Do you know the key difference between the Memorial Day holiday and Veterans Day?  The latter is to honor all military veterans and the former is to honor those who have given their life in service to their country.  While the loss of life is obviously the ultimate Sacrifice, those who have served and not been killed also have given much that often goes unrecognized.  Those who have returned with physical or psychological wounds find themselves struggling to re-enter family life, find meaningful employment, receive the care they need, etc.  Their service may have placed strains on relationships, created financial hardships, and left them feeling unappreciated.  Many Vietnam veterans, in particular, felt their nation turned its back on them with highly visible protests over the war replacing any public show of gratitude.  Our veterans returning from deployments to areas such as Afghanistan and Iraq to some extent have faced similar challenges.  As the conflict dragged on public support has waned and been replaced by critics seeking to place blame on one political party or another and those in charge of our military and intelligence services.  None of this honors our veterans or helps them in their efforts to re-integrate themselves into post-deployment life.  On this Memorial Day weekend as we see displays of flags set out to honor our military members who have been killed in the line of duty let us also remember the Sacrifice made by all who have served in the military.  Let the light of our prayers and meditation bring them needed support and honor them for the Sacrifices they have given for their country.

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 the importance of the Sacrifices made by others?  How does it feel in my body when I take time to truly honor the Sacrifice of those who have served in our military?  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., May 17, 2015

For this Sunday, May 17th, the focus for our meditation will be on Containing.  Have you ever known someone who was considering ending their own life by suicide?  Have you ever known someone who was fighting addiction?  Have you ever known someone who experienced the death of a child?  Have you ever known someone who struggled against multiple obstacles in their path that prevented them from realizing their dreams?  In each instance, what can you possibly say to ease their pain?  Nothing, really.  Being on the sidelines of someone dealing with these issues can be baffling and frustrating for those who want to consider themselves part of the individual’s network of resources.  It makes you realize your limitations in terms of what you can do for another person besieged by such issues.  While there may be no magic words or acts of kindness that are guaranteed to bring relief, the one thing we can all do is to “hold space” for the individual.  When I first heard this term used I have to admit I had no clue what it meant, and I mistakenly assumed from watching what others did that it involved sending energy to the person.  The concept of holding space is very simple – it is the act of being fully present and thus serving to Contain a space in which the person feels safe and supported.  By Containing a sacred space for the individual you allow your presence to create an environment that carries the possibility for change.  There is no need for words or even specific action – it is merely the act of being totally present for the individual.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us think of those around us who may be in need of our assistance by Containing a healthy and supportive space for them.  May we be shown how to serve as a Container that allows them to feel encouraged in their desire to move in the right direction and achieve the highest good. 

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 my physical presence Contains a sacred space that supports others?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to Contain the possibility of positive change through my presence?  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., May 10, 2015

For this Sunday, May 10th, the focus for our meditation will be on Sociability.  I remember when educational-based preschool programs first became popular, replacing unstructured play time with academic study in a variety of subjects deemed important for the child’s development.  Advocates claimed that such early exposure to more serious learning would advance a child’s ability to subsequently perform in school.  And so they did.  But recent research has shown that there is a cliff effect where the advantages gained by participation in academic-based preschools not only expire after the first few years but actually then have a deleterious impact.  Children who were instead given the opportunity to play and Socialize with peers eventually end up outperforming the Einstein-wannabes after about one to three years.  More significantly, the disadvantages continued well into later life, with research supporting that those who were essentially robbed of their childhood and forced into academic training too early are more likely to commit crimes as adults and bear the lasting imprint of emotional impairment.  Other research has shown that the greatest predictive variable of career success is not intelligence or skill level but likeability.  In other words, those who have the greatest emotional health and are able to be more Sociable have a higher chance of rising to the top.  There is a lesson in this for all of us.  I know early in my career I had a tendency to be a workaholic, consumed with laser-tight focus only on my work and regarding water cooler chit chat as an unethical waste of time.  Over the years I grew to relax and enjoy the chance to Socialize with colleagues and lo and behold, it didn’t impede my work.  I like to think the experience made me more Sociable and consequently a more pleasant coworker as a result.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us consider whether we sufficiently value the quality of Sociability.  Are there signs around us that perhaps we are being too driven and have lost sight of the importance of our Social interaction with others?  If so, let us ask to be shown fun ways to regain the essence of our childhood and once again appreciate the lasting value of being Sociable.

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 opportunity to relax and be Sociable with others around me?  How does it feel in my body when I realize how making time to be Sociable helps me in countless ways?  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., May 3, 2015

For this Sunday, May 3rd, the focus for our meditation will be on Accountability.  Recent events in this nation have shown the problems that can result when people try to avoid taking Accountability for their actions.  As a former police officer I am saddened when I hear of instances where police officers use force in a manner that is clearly excessive and unnecessary.  It often leads to tragic outcomes that can never be reversed.  As we have seen time and again, the rage and injustice precipitated by such abuse tends to all too easily trigger rioting and violence.  Nothing positive can ever come from a violent response to what is perceived as an injustice.  From my optic, the “final straw” that tends to lead to rioting is the sense that those involved are not willing to even acknowledge their Accountability in the matter.  That fosters a stronger sense of injustice and rage.  The conundrum is authorities must act in a balanced way rather than react in the absence of sufficient information.  So, the delay that results after news coverage of a tragic event can foster the impression that nothing will be done to rectify the abuse of authority when in reality they simply need more time for fact-finding before taking action.  At the same time, those on the periphery who seek to take advantage of such volatile situations to foster rioting must also be held Accountable for their actions.  The destruction wrought during riots never contributes to a positive resolution of the problem.  Instead, it ripples the tragedy to others, such as property and business owners whose homes and buildings are damaged.  It also creates a burden for municipalities in terms of needed resources to provide added safety and security for residents.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us seek to amplify the quality of Accountability across this nation.  May we ask that all people acquire the courage to take Accountability for their actions and recognize the terrible consequences that can result when they fail to do so. 

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 courageously take Accountability for all of my actions?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize the importance of accepting Accountability especially when I have made poor decisions?  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