Meditation Instructions for Sun., April 29, 2018

For this Sunday, April 29th, the focus for our meditation will be on Empathy.  A recent article talks about the demonstration of three types of Empathy in the actions taken by Starbucks following an incident in which two men were wrongly arrested at one of their stores in Philadelphia.  (The article on Empathy can be read at https://tinyurl.com/yaas322c)  Researchers Paul Ekman and Daniel Goleman first identified the different types of Empathy as Cognitive Empathy (understanding cognitively how someone feels), Emotional Empathy (actually feeling what another person feels), and Compassionate Empathy (being moved to take action in response to these feelings).  All three facets of Empathy are important elements of Emotional Intelligence, or the ability to alter one’s behavior in response to the feeling of others.  This latter aspect of Empathy is especially important, in my opinion.  To remedy some of society’s problems we may be required to act and not just shake our heads in sympathy at the misfortune of others.  The first couple of steps are important – being willing to listen to people and trying to see things from their perspective – but without subsequent action they do little to really change things.  Being truly Empathetic isn’t easy – it takes effort and a willingness to suspend judgment.  Problems erupt when people instead are hyperreactive to a situation as can happen in road rage incidents.  The adage of counting to ten before acting is a wise one for that allows us time to process the experience more fully first.  Then we can more sincerely seek to understand the other person and be moved to Compassionate Empathy that results in the best action for all.  If more people in this country refined their ability to experience Empathy in all its forms it would go a long way to fixing some of the ills we repeatedly encounter.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us ask that a groundswell of genuine Empathy sweep across this nation and fill each individual with the willingness to better understand others.  Through embracing Empathy may we help our country make real progress in its perpetual struggles against prejudice that have plagued us through the years.

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 desire to understand the feelings of others and hold genuine Empathy for them?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to be Empathetic and consider the impact of my behavior on the feelings 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., April 22, 2018

For this Sunday, April 22nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Uniqueness.  From a young age most of us learn it is best to blend in with the crowd.  Our youth is often spent trying to navigate the tricky path of determining what is “in” and what is “out” with everyone else as we work hard to seek the approval of others.  We want to be accepted, and to be accepted we often feel we must appear to be like those we are trying to please.  How bland life would be if indeed we were all alike!  Each of us has different talents and gifts that make us Unique from each other.  By trying to fit in with the crowd we may be tempted to deny these gifts and suppress our talents.  It isn’t until we eventually come to realize we are here on earth in this lifetime to learn how to fully use the abilities we brought with us that we are able to come into our own.  It may take some courage to reveal to the world our Uniqueness.  I’m not suggesting we all run out and fly our freak flag, but we would be better served if we allowed ourselves to demonstrate to the world what makes us Unique and different from everyone else.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider what makes us Unique as an individual.  Let us ask what gifts and talents we have brought into the world that we want to allow to flourish.  By coming to an understanding of who we truly are and how we are Unique in contrast to everyone else it enables us to better appreciate the differences between people.  May we encourage individuality to sweep across this nation and allow all to show what makes them Unique and different from others.  Once we have gathered the courage to display our Uniqueness may others feel safe and supported in doing the same.

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 what makes me Unique as an individual from others?  How does it feel in my body when I have the courage to show my Uniqueness to the world without fear of judgment or rejection?  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., April 15, 2018

For this Sunday, April 15th, the focus for our meditation will be on Community.  Many of us live compartmentalized lives.  We have our family life, our social life, our business life, and other similar circles in which we interact with others.  Sometimes these Communities overlap and sometimes they are completely separate from each other with little to nothing in common.  In each sphere we have the opportunity to enrich our life through our connectedness with others.  At the same time that we benefit from this engagement we also want to appreciate there is a custodial responsibility accompanying our membership.  These groups require some effort on our part to remain vibrant, cohesive Communities.  If we take our Communities for granted or shirk responsibility for their upkeep and expect others to do it for us they can all too readily disintegrate into scattered states that eventually fall completely apart.  Last week we spoke about our Communities taking on more responsibility for those individuals who cannot care for themselves, but we want to recognize our Communities also require our care and attention for them to continue to function smoothly.  How do we care for our Communities?  By adopting an attitude of not just receiving but also giving when we see a need.  This isn’t something that requires a huge sacrifice of time or money on our part.  Perhaps we pick up trash when walking through our neighborhood or clean up a break room in our office environment.  We can keep our Communities healthy by consciously bringing our light into them.  Try adopting a habit of intentionally spreading light as you drive through your neighborhood or walk down a hallway at home or at work.   Over time that light will help support the Community and keep it energized in a way that contributes positively to all its members.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider little ways in which we might act to support our Communities.  Let us come to appreciate all that we gain by our participation in Communities and understand our role and responsibility for their sustenance.

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 the benefit I receive by being a member of a Community?  How does it feel in my body when I am willing to contribute even in a small way that helps support my Community?  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., April 8, 2018

For this Sunday, April 8th, the focus for our meditation will be on Responsibility.  In 1963 the Community Mental Health Centers Act was enacted by the Federal government in an effort to deinstitutionalize state mental hospitals and bring an end to the terrible conditions patients had to endure there.  Unfortunately, while conceptually it was a good idea, in practicality it only created a bigger problem.  The initial intent was to shut down the state institutions and require treatment facilities at the community level to take Responsibility for the mentally ill.  However, a combination of lack of funding and the objections of local residents with a “not in my backyard” perspective ultimately contributed to the increasing populations of homeless people suffering from mental illness.  Had the program succeeded it may have been able to prevent so many of the acts of mass violence that have occurred since.  Mental illness is the most underfunded health challenge faced by our society.  You don’t see people adorning their shirts with colorful logos or running in charity races to raise awareness and solicit research funding for schizophrenia or depression as often as you will find for other conditions such as cancer or heart disease.  This is not to say that all those who have mental illness become violent.  But those who are violent represent the failure of our society to take Responsibility for individuals who are unable to help themselves because of mental illness.  The stigma associated with these conditions is as debilitating to the families and loved ones with mental illness as trying to deal with the unending cycle of finding treatment and then making sure their child, friend, or sibling sticks with it.  Our nation’s crises of late have been over-simplified into debates about guns, laws, or physical security measures at our schools.  None of these gets at the root of the issue, which is we need to find a way to better help and monitor those who are not capable of managing their own life rather than pretend to ignore them.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that our nation find more compassion for those with mental illness.  May we each come to recognize we all have a Responsibility to look out for those who are in need, no matter the stigma associated with their challenges.  Let us ask that we find a way in our communities to take better Responsibility for each other, especially those who most need our care.

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 have a Responsibility to help others to the best of my ability?  How does it feel in my body when I appreciate how those in need can benefit from others stepping up and accepting Responsibility to lend a helping hand?  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., April 1, 2018

For this Sunday, April 1st, the focus for our meditation will be on Surrender.  I’m one of those individuals who believes all it takes to overcome a challenge is to tough it out and not give up.  Time and again, however, life teaches me otherwise.  I have also come to appreciate that there is a certain hubris to my thinking.  Dealing with a problem?  I don’t need anyone’s help to solve it.  I can figure it out on my own.  If I ask others for help it will be a sign of weakness or failure.  Sound familiar?  Part of the lesson of Easter is to recognize the importance of allowing others to do for us and to accept their offer of assistance with genuine gratitude, not resentment.  Jesus demonstrated this for us when he fell three times on the road to Mount Calvary.  A soldier conscripted Simon into helping carry the cross.  Even Jesus needed assistance, so who do we sometimes we think we are to pretend we don’t?  Jesus then manifested the ultimate Surrender by allowing himself to be sacrificed to save the rest of us.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider where we may need to Surrender rather than cling to our stubborn reluctance to receive assistance.  May we learn to be sincerely grateful for the support of others and be willing to Surrender with a grace that allows them to receive the benefit that comes from helping 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 given up my resistance and allowed myself to Surrender to the need for assistance?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize being willing to Surrender is a sign of strength and not weakness?  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