For this Sunday, April 2nd, the focus for
our meditation will be on Nurturing. In the 1950’s a psychologist named Harry
Harlow conducted a series of groundbreaking studies regarding the impact of Nurturing
on the development of infant monkeys. These
studies were later much criticized for their inhumane treatment and led to a
movement to protect the rights of research animals. In his most well-known experiment Harlow
separated monkeys at birth from their mothers and then created artificial surrogates
made of either bare wire or covered with a soft cloth. The results were surprising in that the
monkeys preferred contact with the soft, “comforting” surrogate forms even when
they offered no nourishment. When the
wire monkeys were equipped with bottles of milk the infant monkeys would only
go to them to feed but then spent the remainder of the time clinging to the
more Nurturing cloth monkeys. The
studies showed that for social animals it is critical they have interaction
that is considered Nurturing during their early development for them to
become healthy adults physically and psychologically. I look at our current generation of children
and wonder if we have lost sight of this important concept. Too many seem to be given every material
comfort in the way of toys and electronic gadgets but appear to have a huge gap
in the degree to which they are given opportunities to interact with
others. Modern society often imposes the
financial burden on families that forces both parents to work full-time which
reduces their ability to Nurture their children. Even as adults we isolate ourselves from
others by the almost magnetic pull our electronic devices can hold over us,
demanding our attention away from the living, warm human beings around us to
instead focus on a tiny backlit screen. This
week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider what Nurtures us
and whether we devote enough attention to allowing ourselves to be Nurtured
in a healthy way. Let us also ask that
the generations of children to come be given more opportunities for true Nurturing
that enables them to develop into well-rounded, mentally healthy members of
society.
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 being Nurtured by the presence of caring
people around me? How does it feel in my body when I take time out of my
busy life to allow myself to feel Nurtured
through interaction with others? 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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