For this Sunday, May 14th, the focus for our
meditation will be on Obstacles. I’ve previously used quotations from the
Franciscan friar and author, Richard Rohr.
He is one of my favorite writers, and I love the deep mysticism and
beauty in his work. He once wrote, “Faith
is not for overcoming Obstacles; it is for experiencing them – all the
way through.” What a unique perspective
on the challenges we inevitably face in life.
Rather than seeking to plow our way to conclusion and thereby be rid of
the often uncomfortable trials they create Obstacles may be put in our
path to teach us lessons. We want to
reconsider our impatience with wishing them to be resolved as quickly as possible
and instead consider why they are present and what we can learn from them. There have been times in my life when Obstacles
have popped up and despite my initial frustration at their appearance they
usually ended up forcing me in a direction I never would have considered taking. In the second half of my career with the
government I was in a job I absolutely adored.
It was intellectually stimulating, I had tremendous respect for the
colleagues I worked with, and I was fairly autonomous in managing my work
projects. Unfortunately, in a well-meant
but poorly thought out decision senior officials chose to abolish the office to
which I was assigned as a cost-cutting measure.
It required me to seek another assignment which ultimately ended up
being immensely helpful when I soon afterwards chose to leave government
service and enter the private sector.
However, I never, ever would have wanted to leave the job I loved if
this unforeseen Obstacle had not been placed in my path. In the end, it worked out well – even better
than I ever could have expected. I could
have continued to chafe at the reassignment and become bitter and resentful, as
did some of my colleagues. However, I
chose instead to see the Obstacle as presenting me with an opportunity to
further develop myself. This week in our
prayer and meditation time let us examine what Obstacles may be present
in our life and how they may be beneficial rather than detrimental. Let us ask when Obstacles occur to be
given the patience to accept them as a positive challenge and the foresight to
recognize the prospect for growth they can bring.
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 encounter an Obstacle that ultimately leads me in a
different direction? How does it feel in my body when I choose not to
resist Obstacles but to eagerly seek
the lessons they bring? 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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