Meditation Instructions for Sun., July 29, 2018

For this Sunday, July 29th, the focus for our meditation will be on Neutrality.  If social media is any gauge there is an increased level of emotional charge in our communication with each other.  People, sometimes far too readily, want to rage at others.  While everyone needs to vent now and then, the visceral animosity that seems rife in some discourse is astounding.  I doubt there is any single cause but instead believe it is a complex combination of modern life stressors and the perception of relative safety provided by online platforms for someone to lash out.  Even with in-person interactions it can be easy to ignite a cascade of emotions with the right (or wrong) comments.  If you have ever witnessed an incipient violent argument it is amazing how quickly tempers can be pushed to erupt.  It as though negative feelings flood the environment and draw everyone in proximity into their toxic bath.  One recourse to defend against the contagion of such outbreaks is to take a breath, become the impartial observer and try to remain centered in Neutrality.  By taking a Neutral position it allows us to continue to take in information and better assess the whole situation.  On rare instances we may have to react before we can fully evaluate things, but most times we mistakenly feel pressured to act when it would be better to wait and continue to observe before responding.  We’ve all seen the viral videos of road rage incidents or racially charged arguments or just angry people upset at someone for what they think they represent.  Let me be clear that Neutrality does not mean standing by apathetically when someone else is being threatened.  It means making a measured response that considers all the information available.  Given how volatile our society seems to be of late our nation would certainly benefit from a greater willingness to attain Neutrality.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that Neutrality replace the over-reactive emotionality that seems so prevalent in our charged encounters with others.  May we all find a way to adopt more Neutrality rather than rush to judgment and reflexive anger and may this nation find more peace in return.

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 able to adopt greater Neutrality in an emotionally charged situation?  How does it feel in my body when I can pause and consider all the information available so as to remain more Neutral instead of becoming emotionally reactive?  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., July 22, 2018

For this Sunday, July 22nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Confidence.  One of my spiritual teachers, Reverend Rosalyn L. Bruyere, has a valuable teaching she imparts to her students about the negative consequences of fear and worry.  “Drop dread,” she urges her students, for the emotional state of dread is one that is energetically draining.  It also does nothing to help move toward any solution of a problem or acceptance of a situation.  It tends to freeze one in a static state that inhibits a helpful action or reaction from taking place.  I don’t know of anyone with intact mental capacity who does not experience fear at some point in their life.  Fear can actually have important biological implications for our survival.  Our cave ancestors relied on it to help them avoid genuine threats such as saber-toothed tigers.  One of the problems with modern society is we overgeneralize our fear and put ourselves into such chronically adrenalized states that we quickly exhaust ourselves.  There are some circumstances in life where we truly may not have any control over the result.  At those times it can be easy to slip into apprehension and be unwilling to let go of that emotion.  The more effective alternative is to recognize the situation for what it is, understand our limitations, and find a means to summon Confidence in the face of what may or may not turn out to be an undesirable outcome.  Having the ability to gather Confidence, particularly in the face of uncertainty, can better prepare us for whatever will come.  There is an aspect of trust accompanying Confidence that acknowledges we are always supported by Spirit no matter the challenges we face.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider whether there are situations in our life that cause us to become stuck in fear and apprehension and sap our energy.  Let us ask for Divine support to help us regain our emotional center and find the means to summon an inner Confidence that sees us through life’s trials. 

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 able to summon Confidence in the face of worry and uncertainty?  How does it feel in my body when I can hold onto an inner state of Confidence even when I find things are out of my control?  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., July 15, 2018

For this Sunday, July 15th, the focus for our meditation will be on Support.  I was captivated, as I’m sure many of you were, by the heroic efforts to locate and rescue a team of boys and their coach from a cave in Thailand.  It seemed as though the entire world was focused in prayer for their safe return.  In a paraphrase of a statement from one of the rescuers, it involved a combination of science, skill and a miracle.  What amazed me was how so many people came together to assist in the rescue effort.  Teams from around the world converged on the small town in northern Thailand to offer their expertise.  Ego was set aside, and all worked in a unified way to find the boys and then come up with a successful rescue plan.  Local people offered to provide transportation for the rescue workers.  A woman who runs a laundry service saw how dirty the rescue workers were and stepped in to pick up their uniforms at the end of each day, launder them overnight and return them the next morning so they would have clean clothing to wear.  People volunteered to organize food stalls at the rescue site and prepared free meals for the rescuers, families and media personnel who were gathered there.  In particular, I was struck by the lack of criticism directed at the coach or boys for their predicament.  Rather than jump to point blame people instead rallied in a show of Support for them and their families.  I can only imagine the lashing they would have had to endure on social media if such an occurrence had happened in this country.  The incident offers us an important lesson of the value of coming together in community when others are in need and offering unconditional Support rather than judgment.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider whether there are those around us who may have stumbled and require our Support instead of criticism.  Let us ask to be shown how to set aside differences and come together as a unified group to best lend Support for others in need.

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 received unconditional Support from others?  How does it feel in my body when I reach out to others and lend them needed Support instead of criticism?  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., July 8, 2018

For this Sunday, July 8th, the focus for our meditation will be on Attention.  I recently heard a local street musician who spoke between sets about how it saddened her to see a wonderfully talented gentleman she knew, a former veteran who was homeless, ignored by many who passed him by.  He was a colorful character who was kind and gentle, and she was hurt when he once told her how he had asked a pedestrian what time it was and they replied that they didn’t have any change on them presuming he was asking for a handout.  What pained her the most was how here was this beautiful person she had come to know and no one noticed him at all.  That is a common complaint of those who are homeless on the streets that people avoid making eye contact in an effort to pretend they aren’t there.  This musician, who had also previously been homeless, mentioned how she now makes sure to acknowledge those she sees on the streets by greeting them.  She still remembers what it was like when a stranger would say hello or ask how she was doing and that such a simple act could warm her entire day.  In Arthur Miller’s classic play, “Death of a Salesman,” the wife of Willy Loman, the Everyman of those who are overlooked in life, exhorts his sons with the famous line, “Attention must be paid.”  It is a strident call to remember that no one is disposable.  Everyone deserves respect and Attention and no one should go through life feeling as though they never mattered.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider whether we take sufficient time to notice those around us as we hurry about our daily routines.  Let us ask to be gently reminded to pay Attention particularly to those less fortunate in ways that acknowledge their presence with the consideration and respect every human being deserves. 

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 fully aware and pay Attention to other people I pass each day?  How does it feel in my body when someone else pays Attention to me in a way that acknowledges the value of my being?  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., July 1, 2018

For this Sunday, July 1st, the focus for our meditation will be on Civility.  Our society seems increasingly inundated with anger that lashes out at others in astounding displays of lack of respect and Civility for our fellow citizens.  Bakers refuse to make wedding cakes for those whose sexual orientation doesn’t meet with their approval.  Federal employees are refused service at a restaurant or are harassed by staff and other patrons as they eat because of who they work for or what they represent.  Our growing anger and lack of Civility reached another pinnacle last week when a man with a longstanding dispute with a local newspaper discharged his anger through the barrel of a shotgun.  One of the flaws in the thinking that leads up to even less extreme acts of Incivility is that we assume we know what the other person is thinking or why they are the way they are.  We leap to assumptions based on superficial knowledge of the other person and too readily lump them into binary categories of “good” or “bad.”  None of us is totally good or bad; we all are blends of both and hopefully most of us work toward developing the good aspects and reducing the bad ones.  But when we want to be consumed by hate it is so much easier to do so if we don’t allow ourselves to try and really get to know the other person.  Let me stand at a distance and make broad brush conclusions about who you are so I can feel less dissonant with my disapproval of you.  Our society and nation simply cannot progress and evolve if we continue on this path of blatant disrespect for those with whom we disagree.  Such lack of Civility is a cancer that will erode what we have tried to become as a nation and will keep us from moving forward.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that a deep and abiding yearning for greater Civility spring from each of us and spread across this country.  May we truly seek to conduct ourselves with more Civility even in minor encounters we find disagreeable and learn how to engage with others with more respect, kindness and a desire for understanding rather than judgment.

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 treat others with respect and Civility regardless of any differences between us?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to engage with others I may not like while still maintaining Civility?  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