Meditation Instructions for Sun., January 17, 2016

For this Sunday, January 17th, the focus for our meditation will be on Compassion.  A study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found after two weeks of a meditative practice focused on Compassion participants not only behaved more altruistically towards others but also developed actual physical changes in their brain.  The experiment encouraged people to select not just individuals they loved, for whom it would be easy to feel Compassion, but to also focus on people they genuinely disliked.  According to the researchers, “Doing these kinds of exercises is a little like weight training – the Compassion ‘muscle’ is strengthened by practicing with people of increasing difficulty, like increasing weights over time.”  While some people may be more naturally inclined to be Compassionate, this study demonstrates that we all can develop or enhance this trait.  Imagine in our world today with all of the issues that arise from hatred, prejudice, misunderstanding, et cetera, if people were able to increase their ability to care about others, especially those around us who may be suffering.  This week in our prayer and meditation time may we seek to grow our own feelings of Compassion towards others, especially those we may find difficult to like.  Let us ask as our capacity for Compassion increases within us that this same characteristic ripple across the communities in which we live and work and help cultivate a stronger desire to ease the suffering of others.  [For those who may be interested in trying the meditation training focused on Compassion please visit the website at http://centerhealthyminds.org/well-being-tools/compassion-training/]

 

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 filled with genuine Compassion for others?  How does it feel in my body when my feelings of Compassion make me want to reach out with caring and understanding for those around 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