Meditation Instructions for Sun., August 27, 2017

For this Sunday, August 27th, the focus for our meditation will be on Perception.  What is your Perception of former President Harry S. Truman?  Perhaps you think of the iconic photograph of a grinning President Truman holding aloft a newspaper that erroneously declared his opponent, Thomas E. Dewey, the victor in the 1948 election.  If you’re like me, I didn’t really know much about him and am not old enough to have formed any personal memories of his time in office.  He assumed the presidency in April 1945 after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s sudden death from a stroke.  A former Missouri Senator, Truman was relatively unknown at the time and saw a climb in approval ratings to 87 percent by June 1945 as relieved Americans found World War II winding down.  By February 1952, however, his approval ratings had sunk to an all-time low of 22 percent, lower than even the nadir of 24 percent achieved by Richard Nixon during his time in office.  Yet, today Truman is consistently ranked among the top ten best presidents in our nation’s history.  Apparently, it took time for his contributions and accomplishments to be fully appreciated and for people’s Perceptions to change.  I don’t know what history and time will eventually do to form a lasting Perception of our current or most recent Presidents.  But I do know that the distance provided by time often helps infuse more objectivity in our Perceptions.  In the heat of the moment it is easy to be swayed by the visceral emotions some events can provoke.  To buffer ourselves against these emotional whirlpools perhaps we would be best served trying to look at the bigger picture and recognize that years from now our current Perceptions may very well have shifted.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask to be assisted in gaining a better understanding of how our Perceptions can be malleable and can require distance to gain clarity.  May we be shown as a nation how to be patient and methodical in forming Perceptions that go beyond more volatile spontaneous reactions.

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 have formed Perceptions on an issue that have later evolved and changed?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize the benefit that time brings in helping me make clearer Perceptions?  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., August 20, 2017

For this Sunday, August 20th, the focus for our meditation will be on Resolve.  There was a tremendous amount of reporting this past week offering different perspectives on the situation in Charlottesville and the broader reflection it provided on the ills of our country.  One account that especially struck me was an article by a member of the clergy and their experience during the protests.  It took great courage for those individuals to purposely wade into the middle of some of the frays that erupted, knowing they risked physical harm.  Their Resolve to be a center of peace and calm is what motivated and sustained them even when chaos seemed to be unraveling around them.  One definition of the word Resolve is the firm commitment to act.  It is backed by a determination that is unwavering, even in the face of doubt and uncertainty.  There is a groundedness to individuals who possess true Resolve, for they can be very much in touch with their spiritual center.  They often have deep insight into who they are and more importantly, who they need to be in times of crisis.  Genuine Resolve can be profoundly peaceful in its strength and does not require force or physical violence to make an impact.  As our nation deals with the anger that continues to fuel demonstrations across this country let us ask to all find the courage to stand with Resolve against hatred, bigotry, and violence.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us support those with Resolve to maintain calm in the face of turmoil.  May we all be shown how to find Resolve at times when we may be fearful or uncertain, and may our unity help sustain our commitment to each other as we seek to heal the long-standing wounds of this great 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 have maintained Resolve in my commitment to a difficult decision?  How does it feel in my body when I have Resolve to take action even when afraid?  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., August 13, 2017

For this Sunday, August 13th, the focus for our meditation will be on Love.  I have spent the better part of the day following the news regarding the terrible events in Charlottesville, Virginia, and trying to decide how to best address the situation.  The particular challenge, as I see it, is how do you Love people who seem so clearly filled with hate, with arrogance, and with utter disregard for those they wish to see eliminated?  For me, step one is to not direct the same hatred and anger toward them that they direct toward others.  Step two is to go instead to an emotional state of neutrality.  Step three is to try and see the bigger picture.  Step four is to somehow find the ability to recognize all parties on all sides as human beings.  Step five is to project Love to them no matter who they are.  It is only with the power of Love that such evil hatred can be won over.  It is only with Love that hearts hardened with anger can be softened.  As trite and as challenging as it may seem, Love is truly the only solution to the desire for violent conflict that repeatedly wants to erupt across our cities.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us please direct the powerful energy of Love to the city of Charlottesville to help ease the tensions that have flared up there.  Let us ask that the soothing balm of Love bring peace to all areas of the country where evil seeks to rise up against others.  Through the power of our prayers may the people of this nation choose to embrace Love that leaves no room for hatred.

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 have been completely consumed with a Love that leave no room for negative emotions?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to extend Love even to those I find difficult to understand and accept?  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., August 6, 2017

For this Sunday, August 6th, the focus for our meditation will be on Loyalty.  One of the most endearing qualities to our animal companions is their unfailing Loyalty toward their human caregivers.  Those of you who have had pets know how they don’t care what mood you are in, what you look like, how distracted or busy you may be; for them there is the fulfilling sense of joy just to be in your presence.  How many of us can claim human relationships that are just as unconditional and forgiving?  Admittedly it can be difficult on occasion to remain Loyal, particularly in light of what one may perceive as a hurt or slight caused by another.  At the same time, there are limits that can be reasonably be placed on Loyalty.  I will never quite understand how an adult victim of abuse continues to remain Loyal to their partner who delivers such mistreatment.  As a former police officer, it was particularly frustrating to arrive at the scene of a domestic dispute only to have the victim, with obvious physical signs of abuse, refuse to press charges.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider where we place our Loyalty in our life.  May we recognize and appreciate those qualities that endear others to us and make us readily want to remain Loyal to them.  Likewise, may we examine those relationships where Loyalty may be misplaced, and ask to be guided how to best step away from situations and people where our higher good is not being served. 

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 have a strong sense of deserved Loyalty toward another?  How does it feel in my body when the Loyalty from those around me help to sustain me through difficult times?  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