For this Sunday, March 5th, the focus for
our meditation will be on Cooperation. Have you ever heard of the
Prisoner’s Dilemma? It refers to a
problem-solving or strategy game that is often used as the basis for a corporate
team-building exercise. The gist is that
opposing team members have a choice – they can act in their own self-interest
or they can decide to coordinate their behaviors to act Cooperatively. When selecting the latter option both parties
reap the greatest benefit. Yet research
has shown time and again that rational individuals will act irrationally in
this circumstance and choose to follow their own self-interest, regardless of
how short-sighted that may prove to be. To
“win” the Prisoner’s Dilemma one must come to understand and accept that
sacrifice and Cooperative behavior will ultimately bring the biggest
reward. If only our elected officials
could follow this model. Too often
politicians act in favor of their own agendas rather than consider the greater
good. Consequently, when the majority
and thus those in power change hands there is a tendency to want to strip away
any vestiges of the policies and regulations enacted by their predecessors. Admittedly such a system helps provide some
balance to ensure rules that do not benefit the majority do not have to remain forever
in place, but it also can readily lend itself to abuse. I saw this time and again over my years of
government service when a newly-appointed senior official would step in and
introduce drastic changes to leave their legacy. Often those changes would have disastrous
long-term consequences and would require years of unwinding to mitigate the
damage. Our nation faces similar choices
today, and in our prayer and meditation time we want to encourage the spirit of
Cooperation that enables those in power to act in the highest good of
all people they represent. This week may
we contribute the energy and power of our prayers to encourage a broader
willingness toward Cooperation rather than self-interest, and may this
trend be spread across our entire 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 what do I feel in my body when I willing to
behave Cooperatively with others
rather than follow my own self-interest? How does it feel in my body when
I recognize the greater value that comes from Cooperation even if it may require some sacrifice? 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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