Meditation Instructions for Sun., February 25, 2018

For this Sunday, February 25th, the focus for our meditation will be on Options.  One of the most rational and well-thought-out responses I’ve read to the terrible tragedy in Parkland, Florida was a blog posting by author and speaker Dr. Brené Brown (you can read her thought-provoking post at https://tinyurl.com/y9kbknco ).  She points out the false dichotomies so prevalent in the current arguments going back and forth on how to fix the perplexing issue of gun violence.  I agree with her that there is no simple, one-size-fits-all solution to the problem.  I also agree with her that the divisive discourse does nothing to help move us toward a resolution.  It’s much easier for people to fall blindly into the polarity of pro/anti rather than take the time to think deeply about all aspects of a problem.  Only through the open, thoughtful exchange of ideas can we create a multitude of Options that may help.  With a problem this complex, I am convinced it will take an entire mosaic of changes and actions to find an effective solution.  If we allow ourselves to simply lash out in anger at one group or another, it prevents us from seeing other possibilities.  This approach is true for many issues, not just the challenge of gun violence.  Our nation and society would benefit from a broader willingness to engage in civil discussion on all the topics that too readily splinter us into opposing groups.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us ask that all across this nation seek to engage in genuine, thoughtful discourse on all our troubling issues so we may collectively discover a richer set of Options to help ease these problems.  Let us sincerely ask for the assistance of divine guidance to help remove our blindfolds and allow us to see different perspectives that lead to workable Options instead of greater rancor.

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 creatively think of different Options when faced with a challenge?  How does it feel in my body when I can set aside my initial beliefs and consider the opinions of others to help us both find the most beneficial Option to a problem?  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., February 18, 2018

For this Sunday, February 18th, the focus for our meditation will be on Loyalty.  This past week the traditional Chinese calendar begins a new year designated as the Year of the Dog.  One of the most endearing qualities of our canine companions is their unparalleled Loyalty, even in circumstances where it may appear to be entirely unwarranted.  One of the things we can learn from is how to remain Loyal even after discovering another person’s failings.  None of us is without fault, and the beauty of true Loyalty is it makes us rise above deficiencies.  We accept the other person for who they are, warts and all.  This is not to say we don’t set healthy boundaries in our relationships, but it is more about recognizing that there will be times when one or the other of us will stray temporarily from our intended path.  The beauty of Loyalty is we accept the other person with welcoming arms devoid of any “I told you so” smackdown.  It is this unabashed Loyalty that makes the story of the Prodigal son so heartwarming.  Shameful and humiliated as he returns home, the son is not only allowed back but is richly embraced by his father for his reappearance wipes away the sorrow of his presumed loss.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider whether we are capable of true Loyalty to those who are special in our life.  Let us ask to be guided how to see beyond mistakes to recognize the value of each person as an individual.  Through the act of Loyalty may we encourage others to overcome imperfection and seek to attain their higher potential. 

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 hold onto a sense of Loyalty for those around me, even in the face of imperfections?  How does it feel in my body when I see beyond the failures of others and remain Loyal to them in a truly loving way?  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., February 11, 2018

For this Sunday, February 11th, the focus for our meditation will be on Reflection.  This coming week marks the beginning of Lent for many Christians.  It is a 40-day period of self-Reflection leading up to the celebration of Easter.  During Lent we not only make sacrifice by giving up certain pleasures, but we also are supposed to Reflect on where we want to be in terms of our spiritual and personal development.  It a time for introspection and an honest appraisal of our shortcomings and failures.  This examination can be far more painful than giving up chocolate!  The purpose is not to bring about a state of pain through self-flagellation but to help us recognize how we may have strayed from our path.  It allows us to understand how those infinitesimal mistakes can gradually accumulate, and we suddenly find ourselves feeling lost in purpose or getting even further from our goals.  The benefit of such a period of Reflection is we can make corrections to bring ourselves back in alignment with our higher self and what we aspire to become.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us begin a daily cycle of Reflection that will help bring into focus the changes we need to make in our life.  Let us also ask that those across this entire nation seek to Reflect on what we as a country have become and what is needed to help us reach our higher potential as individuals and as a 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 take time to Reflect on my past and see where I stand in trying to reach my goals?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to honestly Reflect on my shortcomings in order to make needed corrections?  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., February 4, 2018

For this Sunday, February 4th, the focus for our meditation will be on Unity.  Every single president of our nation in my lifetime has at one point or another called for Unity in an attempt at bipartisanship.  Yet the years go by, and we never seem to get closer to reaching that goal.  To answer why, all we need to do is look around our immediate communities.  How many of us have experienced fractures in the established networks where we have attended school, lived or worked?  Remember the cliques that so readily formed when we went to school?  Without understanding why it happens natural lines seemed to automatically be created that separated one group (maybe the “cool” kids) from another (perhaps the “jocks” or the “nerds”).  What about divisiveness in the workplace where employees can turn on each other out of jealousy or simple petty personality differences?  The lengths some will take to undermine their colleagues or supervisors can quickly make a work environment toxic and reduce everyone’s effectiveness.  Even in our families, how many have experienced disagreements where certain members won’t speak to each other, straining family get-togethers and creating tension that can last for years.  If we are unable to find Unity in our own intimate environments where we live, work or study, how can we expect our politicians to model anything different in terms of their behavior?  As the well-known verse in Ecclesiastes states, “a three-fold cord is not quickly broken,” meaning we are all stronger when we are bound to each other.  If we truly wish for this nation to come together in Unity we must first learn how to do this in our own immediate environment.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider where we may have schisms in our families, our work and school communities, or our neighborhoods that need healing.  Let us ask for the courage and strength to set aside differences and be willing to reach out in Unity to others.  In taking this first step where we live may the true spirit of Unification gradually spread across this land and enable us to better meet the challenges of the future.

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 I can be in Unity even with those who may hold different opinions from mine?  How does it feel in my body when I am willing to set aside differences in order to bring Unity to a group to make us stronger?  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