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