For this Sunday, April 14th, the focus for
our meditation will be on Influence. His Holiness the Dalai Lama
recently wrote, “We may sometimes feel
that we can’t do much as individuals, but humanity is made up of individuals;
we can make a difference. As individuals
we can Influence our own families.
Our families can Influence our communities and our communities
can Influence our nations.”
It can be easy to feel helpless and overwhelmed in the face of events or
outcomes beyond our control that do not reflect what we had hoped would occur. For instance, people seem to often be in a
state of outrage about politics and believe they do not have a voice. Ask yourself what it is that you are not
happy about with respect to politics and then ask whether you do anything to be
a positive Influence as a counterbalance to that policy. Don’t agree with the current administration’s
policy towards immigrants? How do you
personally treat them when you encounter immigrants in your day-to-day life? Do you speak disparagingly about people of
other races in front of others or use slurs that denigrate them? If we heed the Dalai Lama’s advice and consider
how our conduct in our immediate environment can Influence others then we
can begin to create a shift in ways we might never otherwise expect. This week in our prayer and meditation time
let us examine how the way we speak and behave serves as a source of Influence
on others. Let us honestly consider whether
our actions reflect the impact we want to have on the world and be gently
reminded when we fall short of this intention to be a positive Influence
on others. Through the impact of our behavior
in our surroundings may we serve as a positive Influence that ripples
across our communities and entire 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 recognize that
my speech and behavior can Influence
those around me? How does it feel in my body when I try to be a positive
role model and Influence others to
behave similarly? 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
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