Meditation Instructions for Sun., September 30, 2018

For this Sunday, September 30th, the focus for our meditation will be on Truth.  In matters such as disagreements everyone clamors for the Truth but few are willing to accept it in its entirety.  Truth seldom brings the sense of completion or satisfaction that people believe will automatically accompany it.  The full Truth often contains elements people find objectionable or wish to ignore, but when we demand the Truth we cannot selectively choose which aspects to believe and which to ignore.  Despite all this, a world completely devoid of Truth is a far worse state of existence.  Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister, once infamously said, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”  I believe people who have only a casual acquaintance with the Truth and regularly distort it for their own benefit actually damage their Soul with each false utterance.  Research studies confirm that none of us is ever perfectly honest all the time, but there is a clear line not to be crossed when it comes to certain issues.  Lying to manipulate or harm another individual is unacceptable under any circumstance.  Lying can too easily become a slippery slope where an initial small “fib” must be supported by additional falsehoods that then accumulate into a massive deception.  The key is to foster the personal integrity and discipline to encourage the Truth in yourself and in others even if it is sometimes unpleasant.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that all across this nation no longer remain inured to falsehood but crave the Truth instead.  May all learn to accept the Truth even when it does not match their desires, and may we perpetuate a spirit of honesty that honors the Truth across this entire land.

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 recognize the Truth in a matter, even when it contradicts what I would like to believe?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to find the courage and integrity to seek and offer the full Truth in my communication with 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 23, 2018

For this Sunday, September 23rd, the focus for our meditation will be on Humility.  I enjoy reading biographies of accomplished individuals.  I think a part of me believes by reading about their life I can unconsciously embed in myself the secret to what made them successful.  Interestingly, a desire to be seen as successful is probably one of the least important attributes.  Over and over again these accounts describe how very accomplished people seldom recognize their own greatness.  Instead, they frequently feel as though they fall short of their own or other’s expectations.  Many don’t see themselves as anyone special or different, and often they are much more critical of their own flaws than those who know them well.  It may be their Humble nature that makes them continue to strive to excel in life rather than rest on their laurels.  So many of our society’s problems seem motivated by ego and false pride.  People are overly sensitive to any perceived slight and the pressure of our modern world causes them to erupt in anger and hatred.  If only more people had a greater sense of Humility perhaps we would not experience the frequent violence that plagues our culture.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that people adopt more Humility instead of inflating their ego which ultimately fails to bring any sense of genuine satisfaction. Let us ask that a wave of Humility sweep across this nation and help us all become better citizens as a result.

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 sense of genuine Humility in how I conduct myself?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to let go of ego and allow myself to be truly Humble in my dealings with the world?  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 16, 2018

For this Sunday, September 16th, the focus for our meditation will be on Engagement.  I am a huge believer in the power of prayer and have seen first-hand the miracles it can manifest.  That’s why I was initially quite puzzled at the anger directed at people offering “hopes and prayers” for those experiencing a crisis such as a mass shooting.  It wasn’t until someone explained it to me that I finally realized the outrage was not about prayers or being hopeful but was more about the apathy of those who were in a position to do much more yet failed to take action.  His Holiness the Dalai Lama recently wrote, “In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems.  Each one of us has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction.  Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively Engaged.”  Even a great spiritual leader such as the Dalai Lama recognizes we have an obligation to do more than just prayer in order to help alleviate suffering and lift up others.  So how do we become actively Engaged?  Not everyone is in a position to be able to donate money to ease the plight of those in need, but all of us can volunteer our time or donate clothes or household goods we no longer use.  If more people were willing to become actively Engaged rather than sit idly by watching others struggle our country would definitely be guided in the right direction.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider ways in which we might become more Engaged with our communities and those around us.  Let us ask to be shown how to better Engage with others and collectively lift up our society and 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 am willing to truly Engage deeply with others?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to become actively Engaged in improving 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., September 9, 2018

For this Sunday, September 9th, the focus for our meditation will be on Listening.  We have had this particular topic as a theme for our meditation practice in the past, but on those instances the emphasis was on Listening to Spirit.  With the ongoing turmoil in our country I have been thinking about why there is such a lack of bipartisanship and why our nation is so polarized.  In considering the qualities of bipartisanship there are the elements of having respect for the other party, a willingness to make needed concessions, and at the root of it all the ability to Listen and take in what the other person is saying.  We are terrible Listeners.  We tend to leap to assumptions and erroneously fill in gaps and worse yet never really give the other individual a chance to be heard.  We too quickly shut the other person out, assuming they are not going to contribute anything of value to the conversation.  Under these conditions, how can honest and effective communication ever take place?  Even trained professionals lack this skill.  A study of board-certified family physicians found as the patient began describing why they sought treatment it took less than 18 seconds for the doctor to interrupt the patient.  Part of this was probably their impatience given the time constraints of a busy schedule, but as a result they often missed important information that would have led to better diagnoses and treatment plans.  I think what leads to the frustration from so many segments of our society is the feeling that they are not being heard.  If we all took the time to be willing to truly Listen to others, especially those with whom we disagree, it would help ease so much of the tension and discord we are experiencing in our country.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that as a nation we each seek to become better Listeners.  May we be shown how to graciously give others a chance to actually be heard, and may our willingness to engage in genuine communication spread to those in leadership so true bipartisanship behavior can occur.

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 actually Listen without judgment to what others are saying?  How does it feel in my body when someone gives me the courtesy of really Listening to what I want to say?  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 2, 2018

For this Sunday, September 2nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Service.  This weekend the nation eulogizes the passing of Senator John McCain.  Because of the nature of his illness he had time to ponder the inevitable and speak about his battle with cancer and reflect on his life.  In one interview he was asked how he wanted to be remembered, and he immediately gave the simple response, “He Served his country.”  Our life is best utilized not by the pursuit of self-satisfaction but by using our gifts and talents in the Service of others.  One does not need to be a member of the military or take a political office to Serve.  Some of us may be called to Serve where we work or perhaps in the communities where we live with the intent of making them a better place.  For all of us, Service involves doing what we can to improve the places where we live, work or attend school.  It means keeping in focus the higher good for all and not allowing our own desires to distract our attention.  Service can be as simple an act as picking up a piece of litter in a public area or volunteering your time for a charitable group.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that the spirit of Service resonate across this nation so more people will be willing to act with the greater good in mind rather than behave selfishly.  Let us ask that this nation pause to honor Sen. McCain’s selflessness in his desire to be of Service to his country and be inspired by his example.

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 freely given of my time and talents to Serve the needs of others?  How does it feel in my body when I appreciate the Service of others who work to leave their surroundings a little better?  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