Meditation Instructions for Sun., September 24, 2017

For this Sunday, September 24th, the focus for our meditation will be on Direction.  I apologize in advance, but there is a lengthy quotation I would like to use from a speech given by Robert Kennedy on October 22, 1966 titled, “A Speech on Race,” that is so relevant and timely it could have been written for today. 

“We must, as thinking men, distinguish between the right of dissent and the way we choose to exercise that right.  It is not enough to justify or explain our actions by the fact that they are legal or constitutionally protected.  The Constitution protects wisdom and ignorance, compassion and selfishness alike.  But that dissent which consists simply of sporadic and dramatic acts sustained by neither continuing labor or research – that dissent which seeks to demolish while lacking both the desire and direction for rebuilding, that dissent which contemptuously or out of laziness, casts aside the practical weapons and instruments of change and progress – that kind of dissent is merely self-indulgence.  It is satisfying perhaps to those who make it.

But it will not solve the problems of our society.  It will not assist those seriously engaged in the difficult and frustrating work of the nation.  And, when it is all over, it will not have brightened or enriched the life of a single portion of humanity in a single part of the globe.

All of us have the right to dissipate our energies and talent as we desire.  But those who are serious about the future have the obligation to Direct those energies and talents toward concrete objectives consistent with the ideals they profess.  From those of you who take that course will come the fresh ideas and leadership, which are the compelling needs of America.”

My wise brother and I were recently discussing the controversial way some professional athletes are demonstrating their dissent (about what I wasn’t exactly sure).  I’ve never been a fan of demonstrations, as I feel they accomplish little other than to self-satisfy those who participate, as Kennedy mentions above.  My brother then raised the examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or the suffragettes, who all were known for their public protests to raise awareness of important issues.  How could I possibly find those historic moments a waste of time and effort?  The difference, I believe, is the way in which they Directed their efforts to voice their discontent.  For me, there is a huge separation between marching peacefully and engaging in disrespectful behavior.  Gandhi and King, in particular, did more than just publicly protest.  They also followed up on their concerns by meeting with community and religious leaders and elected officials who could influence and make needed change.  The protests alone likely would not have led to changes in laws that were a first step to rectifying the injustice.  There needed to be additional follow-up action that Directed the energy of the protest toward positive and concrete change.

This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider how we Direct our energy particularly in relation to those causes and issues we feel are important in our life and for our nation.  Let us ask to be gently guided to find better ways to Direct our efforts to bring fruitful results that help us move forward in a positive direction.  Additionally, let us ask that all those who are oppressed or the victims of injustice have an opportunity to be heard so that those in power will be Directed to enact needed change so their lives may improve.

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 successfully Directed my efforts toward making positive change?  How does it feel in my body when I see how focusing and Directing my energies can bring real results?  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., September 17, 2017

For this Sunday, September 17th, the focus for our meditation will be on Humor.  In his 2002 book titled, “Nothing Is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life,” actor Christopher Reeve talks about the importance of Humor following an equestrian accident that left him paralyzed.  His life was forever altered by that accident, but as the title of his first book, “Still Me,” attested, he wanted people to recognize he was still the same person inside.  To set others at ease and to help return to some sense of normality in his life he embraced Humor.  As Reeve puts it, “When things are really bad, you have to laugh.  We use Humor to relieve tension and cope with many things in life that are whimsical and even absurd.”  The gallows Humor of those in high-stress jobs and environments is a well-known phenomenon.  It helps relieve the pressure of what they have to deal with far too often that would otherwise lead to burnout.  Rather than take ourselves too seriously, perhaps we would all be mentally healthier and happier if we regularly allowed ourselves to just see some Humor even in difficult situations.  It is interesting to me that some people view spirituality as something “sacred” that should not be perceived as comical in any way.  Yet, I am quite certain that those in the spirit world who are there to assist us very much retain a sense of Humor and enjoy using it in their interaction with us.  Perhaps they understand better than we here on earth do that we need Humor to help us make it through life’s challenges.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider whether we sufficiently appreciate the value of Humor in our life.  Let us ask to be gently reminded of the benefits Humor can bring so we can more easily surmount the difficulties we all face.

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 use Humor to help me through a difficult situation?  How does it feel in my body when I appreciate how Humor makes me feel better when I am stressed or upset?  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., September 10, 2017

For this Sunday, September 10th, the focus for our meditation will be on Impact.  There is a story that is often told, with different variations, about an individual (sometimes a little girl, sometimes a young man) who walks alone along a beach tossing live starfish that have washed ashore back into the sea.  The observer in the story comments on the futility of their actions, and the thrower replies as they gently toss another starfish into the water, “It made a difference for that one.”  The actual origin for the story came from an essay that was published by a writer named Loren Eiseley almost 50 years ago.  Eiseley was both a scientist and a poet, and the essay reflects his awareness, as a naturalist, of the perils the natural world presents as well as his optimism that we each have the ability to move from being mere observers to taking action and having an Impact on the world.  Presently we are seeing a confluence of natural events that may threaten to exhaust our hopefulness.  Wildfires in the western part of the country, the remnants of terrific flooding in Texas, and now the anticipation of what Hurricane Irma may bring to Florida and the southeast all have combined in a short period of time to deaden our empathic sensibilities.  The end result may produce feelings of not just helplessness but also apathy as we sit as numb observers wondering what comes next.  As Eisely urged in his original essay we all have the ability to make an Impact if we so choose.  Rather than feel overwhelmed and powerless, let us each recognize that if we step out of the observer role and find a way to help another, even if it is just a single individual, collectively we can have a tremendous Impact.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us call upon our country’s indomitable spirit of generosity and compassion and ask that we each be shown a viable way to make an Impact during challenging times.  Let us ask that all people and living creatures who may be in peril from natural events be given the assistance they need, and may we weave a web of support that unifies and strengthens this 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 taken even a small action that helps Impact someone else in a positive way?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize the power I have to make an Impact that spurs me to assist 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

Meditation Instructions for Sun., September 3, 2017

For this Sunday, September 3rd, the focus for our meditation will be on Prayer.  Images from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey continue to capture our attention in the news and on social media.  I’ve never experienced a natural disaster such as a major earthquake, flood, or wildfire first-hand and can’t truly fathom how life-altering these events can be for the families and business owners who live in their path.  Watching the desperate rescue efforts and seeing all the loss people experience can leave one feeling so powerless.  Thankfully, numerous stories abound of regular citizens stepping in to do what they can to help by bringing boats into areas under water, or offering food, shelter and clothing for those displaced by the storm.  Self-organized rescue and relief efforts provide a valuable sense of optimism about the power of the human spirit under difficult circumstances.  For those of us not able to physically lend a hand we need not feel entirely helpless, however.  The power of Prayer is always at our disposal, and I am a deep believer in its miraculous workings.  This week in our Prayer and meditation time let us lend our support to all people in our nation currently impacted by tragedy and natural disaster.  May we ask that those who serve as emergency responders conduct their rescue operations in safety.  Let the support of our Prayers help sustain those who need to rebuild their lives, and may these events bring out only the best and most charitable traits in all those who seek to come to the assistance of others.

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 observed the miracles that can come from Prayer?  How does it feel in my body when I have felt supported and embraced by others through the power of Prayer?  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