Meditation Instructions for Sun., October 29, 2017

For this Sunday, October 29th, the focus for our meditation will be on Better.  A school principal in Virginia has a reputation of turning around underperforming schools.  Hamish Brewer goes in and not only changes the physical environment but more importantly gets the full buy-in of the students and their parents.  He encourages them not to be satisfied with being average but to Better themselves and strive to be amazing.  What is interesting is that Brewer came from a background similar to many of his students.  His parents were separated when he was young, and he experienced poverty and hunger and being around substance abuse.  As he puts it, he tries not to repeat the mistakes that were made for him when he was growing up.  He asks himself at the end of each day, “Was I Better for kids today?”  This is not about achieving perfection but is more about trying to be Better than you were before day in and day out.  Sometimes in life we aim so high that our goals are impractical, and it is easy to then feel discouraged and want to give up.  Rather than seek perfection we would so much better served if in little ways we consistently just tried to be a little Better.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask in what way do we seek to Better ourselves?  What is it that we do each day that will help us become Better than we were before?  If we find we need some help in this practice, let us ask for assistance from our spiritual support network in a way that is gentle and encouraging.  Through our efforts to make ourselves Better may we also help this nation grow stronger and Better with every passing day.

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 consciously working to become a Better person each day?  How does it feel in my body when I do things that encourage not only myself but also those around me to be Better than we were?  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., October 22, 2017

For this Sunday, October 22nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Practice.  Ever wonder how some people are able to change their behavior more easily than others?  The secret may be how they Practice.  When we have some ingrained habit that we want to shed we may initially encounter resistance to altering that pattern.  Old habits die hard, as we are wont to say.  It may have to do with the way we are neurologically wired.  Neural connections in the brain that fire most frequently tend to be reinforced.  To change behaviors we need to overcome the inertia of falling into comfortable habits and consciously choose a different path.  We want to get some new neural pathways firing so they become more automatic.  Initially as we Practice some new behavior it may feel unnatural or effortful.  With repetition, however, the new behavior can evolve to a pattern that seems more unconscious.  This technique of conscious Practice can help us change almost any unwanted behavioral pattern.  I tend to be an impatient driver and chafe at other vehicles that in my opinion are driving far too slowly or are inconsiderate of others.  Drivers who will sit in the left lane going below the speed limit and not move over, even when the right lane is vacant, simply know how to push my buttons.  It is a habit I detest, and so I am working to consciously change this pattern through Practice.  A dear friend gave me a visor clip of Our Lady of Guadalupe, so now when I encounter a driving situation that makes me feel frustrated I touch the image and say a quick prayer for the other drivers on the road as well as myself.  It hasn’t yet become automatic, but the majority of the time I now remember to do this, and I am sure with Practice it will replace my initial response of irritation.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider what we are Practicing through our behavior in the world.  Do we want to reinforce or perhaps change the patterns we have adopted?  Let us ask for assistance in being gently reminded to Practice new responses that better serve us, and may the changes that result serve as a model to encourage 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 am able to successfully Practice a new way of responding that helps me overcome bad habits?  How does it feel in my body when my conscious Practice of a new behavior gradually becomes more automatic?  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., October 15, 2017

For this Sunday, October 15th, the focus for our meditation will be on Altruism.  The events of recent weeks have to some degree begun to strain the generosity and charitable giving of our nation’s populace.  The U.S. is one of the most giving countries in the world; our readiness to lend support and aid to others is one of the traits that distinguishes us from other, especially less benevolent, nations.  The string of incidents resulting in desperate pleas for assistance began with the flooding in Texas, was followed by the destruction in Florida from a hurricane, continued with the senseless violence and loss of life in a Las Vegas mass shooting, was further perpetuated by the toll another storm had on Puerto Rico, and now is surfacing in the utter devastation from raging wildfires in Northern California.  There is a sense of how much more can we as a nation take and how do we help all those who are in need?  When people begin to feel strained in terms of their lending aid there is an unfortunate consequence of trying to determine the relative merit for each group’s cause.  How do you possibly measure the full toll of some of these tragedies?  Do you triage based on total lives lost?  What about the numbers of those who did not perish but are left with life-altering injuries?  How much should we factor in the cost of what it will take to rebuild homes, businesses, schools, and infrastructure?  Even more troubling are those times when people seek to argue the perceived value of the group being impacted.  Some rush to point blame at particular groups or communities as though they brought the disaster on themselves and therefore are “less deserving” to receive assistance.  An important characteristic of Altruism is that it reflects a giving spirit that is selfless and compassionate.  When we are being Altruistic we do not give with the expectation of anything in return, nor do we believe the recipient owes us any expression of gratitude or needs to demonstrate their worthiness for our generosity.  We simply give because there is a need.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that the spirit of Altruism spread across this country.  May the hearts of all be opened to perceive the needs of others in a compassionate and non-judgmental way.  Through the power of our collective prayers may a genuine desire to be generous and charitable with others fill this nation and bring aid to those who require help. 

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 experienced the true compassion and selflessness of Altruism?  How does it feel in my body when I have acted in a generous and Altruistic way that only considers the needs of 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., October 8, 2017

For this Sunday, October 8th, the focus for our meditation will be on Non-judgment.  If you have a chance there is a short video found at https://tinyurl.com/yatmhrcq that tells a remarkable story about an unlikely friendship between a male former Neo-Nazi white supremacist and his female black probation officer.  Her approach to the situation is probably what made the turnaround even possible.  As she states in the video her job was not to Judge him but to be a source of positive encouragement.  It worked, and they now are as close as family members, and this previously violent individual now seems more filled with peace in his life.  Their story serves as a reminder of how quick we can be to rush to Judgment, especially when things go wrong or we encounter people we dislike.  I know people are once again devastated by the senseless violence that occurred last weekend in Las Vegas.  We may never fully comprehend what impelled that individual to perpetuate such an act of evil.  However, to turn on each other and begin Judging and even blaming people, officials, politicians, etc., does nothing to better the situation.  I recognize this reaction comes from the anger and fear people are feeling.  Rather than rush to castigate, perhaps we would be better served to reach out and seek to rationally communicate with those we feel may have fallen short of their duty.  By modeling positive support and encouragement instead of Judgment we may have a better chance of our message being heard.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider in what way might we be too quick to Judge others in our life.  Let us ask to be directed to a more positive and supportive stance of Non-Judgment when we are feeling upset about a person or situation.  From this position of Non-Judgment may we gain the clarity needed to see more options that can truly make things better rather than worse.

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 withhold Judgment about others with whom I disagree?  How does it feel in my body when I find the ability to react with Non-Judgment in a difficult situation?  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., October 1, 2017

For this Sunday, October 1st, the focus for our meditation will be on Family.  There is a saying that we are born into the Family that brings us our karmic lessons, but we choose a Family in the form of friends who help us with that journey.   There are groups of friends I only get to see a few times a year when we gather for an occasion such as a class or retreat.  I look forward to these events because to me they feel like a Family reunion but with less drama.  Our friends support us in ways Family often can’t.  They bring a new perspective that provides contrast to the Family way of doing things so we can better see alternative patterns to break the “Family trance.”  This is the state that occurs when we accept the way things have always been done and fall into habits and relationships simply because it is how our Family expects us to behave.  While we want to always appreciate the connection to our hereditary ancestors, we also want to recognize the importance of our “chosen” Family.  Both may take some work to keep the relationships healthy, but they bring us different rewards in return.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider the importance of Family, particularly those people close to us who may not be relations but who are there for us in so many critical ways.  Let us remember to express our appreciation for the Family we have created through friendship and let them know how much we value their presence in our 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 appreciate those people who through friendship have become my adopted Family?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize how I am supported by Family, especially those I have chosen to surround me in my life?  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