Meditation Instructions for Sun., June 25, 2017

For this Sunday, June 25th, the focus for our meditation will be on Limitations.  I’ve always been a characteristically optimistic individual by nature.  Typically, I prefer to dwell in possibility rather than probability.  More often than not that sense of positive enthusiasm has seen me through many challenging situations, but there also have been instances when it has led me down a path that has ultimately been less beneficial.  In the latter circumstance, those have been occasions when I have stubbornly tried to drive ahead even in the face of numerous signs hinting that I should pause and recognize my Limitations.  When I try to force things, problems often arise.  None of us likes to admit we have constraints on our abilities.  Many of us try to go through life like over-achieving super heroes until inevitably this game plan trips us up.  In being more realistic and accepting our Limitations we may better accomplish those goals we can reach.  We are able to reprioritize our resources and pursue a task at a higher level of performance than if we try to go beyond what is practical and perhaps fall short entirely of any progress.  Acknowledging that we can only do so much in some circumstances can also relieve much of the stress and guilt we tend to carry.  We somehow think these emotions will spur us on, but in reality they weigh us down.  Instead of struggling against restrictions, we often perform better when we let go of impractical expectations and accept what may be more feasible.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ponder whether we need assistance recognizing our Limitations.  Let us ask whether we too often blindly try to pursue a goal and may be better served scaling back and achieving what is ultimately a more realistic objective.

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 recognize my Limitations and accept them in a way that frees me from failure?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to better align my efforts with my Limitations and ultimately accomplish what may be more practical?  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

Meditation Instructions for Sun., June 18, 2017

For this Sunday, June 18th, the focus for our meditation will be on Togetherness.  This past week saw several tragic events occur both domestically and abroad.  The shooting at a ballfield in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, and a high-rise building fire in a London neighborhood both left people shaken by the vulnerability and suddenness of the tragedy.  Unfortunately, some chose to capitalize on the events for their own agenda.  It dismayed me to see some immediately attach labels to those who were involved for by categorizing them it tends to oversimplify the situation and makes it easier to foster biases.  For instance, division lines were quickly drawn between Republicans and Democrats, Muslims and Christians, gay and straight, pro- and anti-gun control, etc.  I believe we are better served by avoiding such binary labeling and to instead just acknowledge them as fellow human beings.  The over-simplification and dehumanizing that results from labeling is what makes it easier for those with violent tendencies who may also be mentally ill to act out the way they do against others.  When it comes to groups of people dividing lines rarely have hard edges in real life, and there are often blends of different beliefs or characteristics that make the individuals more difficult to define.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask for the ability to see people as complex individuals and resist the temptation to oversimplify them with labels.  By recognizing each person as a mixture of varying qualities may we avoid the desire to create dividing lines that make us feel more separate from each other rather than being Together in the struggle we all face in life.

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 aware of being Together with a group of people who share more in common with each other than we initially realize?  How does it feel in my body when I am comforted by the feeling of being Together with others rather than separate from them?  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

Meditation Instructions for Sun., June 11, 2017

For this Sunday, June 11th, the focus for our meditation will be on Calm.  The recent spell of terrorist acts in London brought a resurrection of the slogan, “Stay Calm and Carry On.”  The British were offended by the perception that their nation was in turmoil and people were paralyzed by fear from the violent events.  What some would characterize as the British tendency toward a “stiff upper lip” simply reflects the mentality represented by the slogan originally developed during World War II to help sustain citizen morale and resolve.  The key is that the slogan doesn’t exclaim, “Stay Calm” and end there.  Exhorting people in the face of crisis to not panic simply isn’t enough.  The command to “Stay Calm” could be interpreted by the recipient to retreat into complacency and non-action.  However, the full expression of, “Stay Calm and Carry On” implies we are to be spurred to action.  The key is that we want to proceed not from a state of fear or anger, which reduces our effectiveness, but instead from a place of peace.  While the U.S. has thankfully not undergone a terrorist attack on the level of 9/11 since that fateful date, we have certainly experienced turmoil created by other causes.  If we consider the mantra of World War II Britain we would be well to “Stay Calm and Carry On” rather than moving into outrage or fear about current events.  Proceeding from such a state actually weakens our nation and our ability to help it progress.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask to be shown how to remain Calm in the face of difficulty or conflict.  May we seek to take action from a state of peace and Calm that helps moderate our response and ultimately results in a greater impact that helps us and our nation move forward in the right direction.

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 assume a state of Calm in the face of distress?  How does it feel in my body when I abandon fear and anger and choose to proceed with peace and Calm when I need to act?  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

Meditation Instructions for Sun., June 4, 2017

For this Sunday, June 4th, the focus for our meditation will be on Mindfulness.  One of my favorite childhood memories is something as simple as the experience of laying on my back in the grass on a beautiful summer day just watching the clouds pass overhead.  The sensation of feeling the warm sun, smelling freshly cut lawns, and hearing the buzzing of insects was so totally satisfying and fulfilling there was no space for a single care in the world.  While I didn’t know it at the time it was probably my first exposure to the concept of Mindfulness meditation.  Admittedly at such a young age it was relatively easy to clear the mind of any worries and be completely at peace.  Now when I try to meditate I must struggle against an intellect that doesn’t like relinquishing control and wants to instead make me process all the tasks on a lengthy to-do list.  Every now and then, however, I briefly recapture that childhood experience of clearing the mind and feeling totally present and at ease with the world.  Earlier today I was assisted in this process by my dog, Joy.  We were just returning from a walk on a wooded trail near where we live, and before we were even home I was already mentally rushing ahead and planning all the errands I needed to run.  She, however, had other plans and chose to plunk herself down on the ground, refusing to move.  I know these moments and rather than waste energy trying to convince her to give up her stubbornness I now instead join her.  I sat down in the lush green grass beside her and stretched out my legs, just watching her take in the scenery around us.  After only a few moments you can’t help but feel yourself take a deep breath and relax, relieving any stress or concern.  Somehow that lengthy to-do list was forgotten, and it was just me and my dog, enjoying being present with each other.  It refreshed that childhood memory for me and made me laugh at the thought that an animal can be so much better at Mindfulness than us humans.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider this lesson of Mindfulness that is modeled for us by the very young and our animal companions.  Let us pause to take time from our busy schedules to remember how to clear our mind and be so full of peace that no cares can penetrate, even if just for a few moments.  As we seek to recapture that feeling of calm and innocence may we ask that the same sensation spread across this nation and help ease so many of the tensions that we as busy adults seem to always want to create. 

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 completely at ease and able to reach a state of Mindfulness?  How does it feel in my body when I can clear my mind and be able to experience the peace of Mindfulness?  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