For this Sunday, August 14th, the focus for
our meditation will be on Objectivity. As human beings we are
naturally predisposed to various cognitive vulnerabilities. One of these, confirmation bias, has been
written about a great deal because of the tremendous impact it has in critical
decision-making processes in many diverse fields. Confirmation bias refers to the phenomenon
that once you have made your mind up about something your brain tends to filter
out or disregard any new information that contradicts that viewpoint and will
only take notice of new information that matches what you’ve already decided is
the right answer. The scary thing about
confirmation bias is that just being aware we are all prone to this does not completely
eradicate its effects. I’m certainly
seeing reflections of confirmation bias in what is circulated on professional
as well as social media forums regarding our political candidates. It seems daily I shake my head in wonder at
what I see people post as “fact” when the information is so evidently distorted
or biased in its presentation. This is by
no means the singular domain of any particular political party. I see information presented for and mostly
against both political candidates that regularly is debunked, but the debunking
unfortunately tends to be given less attention.
People would much prefer to trumpet what they already want to believe
and what matches or confirms what they think they already know. It astounds me that otherwise intelligent
people actually want to believe some of what they are presenting as “fact” when
it clearly a distortion that is often aided by being taken out of context. This is only going to continue in the run-up
to the November election, and the only answer is to hope that people acquire
the ability to process information with greater Objectivity. The next time
you read an article ask yourself if there are any weaknesses, gaps or loopholes
in the story that may be purposely omitted in order to slant what they want to
say. Often it isn’t so much what they report
but what isn’t being reported that is most important to seeing the truth. In our prayer and meditation time this week
let us ask that a spirit of greater neutrality and Objectivity spread across this nation. May people develop the willingness to remain
open-minded and try to process all the information being presented on an issue
before making an important decision. We
will all ultimately have to come to a final decision about how to use our vote,
but in the meantime let us seek to consider all sides to a story, even the
untold version that may try to remain hidden, in our pursuit of the truth.
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 able to
remain neutral and Objective in
considering all available information before making an important decision?
How does it feel in my body when I reach a state of Objectivity that allows me to see more than one side to an issue?
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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