Meditation Instructions for Sun., June 30, 2019

For this Sunday, June 30th, the focus for our meditation will be on Perfection.  I am fortunate to live in a community with lots of woods and hiking trails.  Today I was walking on one of the trails with my dog and was struck by the absolute Perfection of the experience.  The weather was gorgeous with temperatures that were not too warm, you could see the beautiful blue sky and occasional cloud through the trees, and the woods provided enough shade to make it very comfortable for a hike.  As my dog and I trod along pine-needle cushioned paths, I took in how the sunlight dappled the underbrush below the canopy.  We were surrounded by the sounds of birds and a gentle breeze rustling the leaves.  In that moment I realized there was nothing at all I would change.  It was complete appreciation of the Perfection in an ideal sensory experience.  I only wish in my sometimes too-busy life I was able to pause and take in the nirvana of such moments more often.  When I think of Perfection I tend to view it negatively and as more of a hindrance in dogged pursuit of doing a task “exactly right.”  This afternoon I realized there is nothing wrong with Perfection as long as you are able to lift it from yourself as a burden and instead recognize when it exists elsewhere.  Perhaps you pursue a craft and find that sometimes pieces come out the way you intend and sometimes they have a mind of their own.  The end result may still be one of Perfection if you can view it from a different perspective absent your initial expectations.  You may find sheer enjoyment and Perfection in the sounds created by a musician.  In either instance you are able to appreciate the beauty, harmony and balance that often is present in Perfection.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider whether we give ourselves sufficient opportunities to recognize the Perfection that exists around us.  Let us ask to be shown how Perfection can exist even in the presence of flaws or mistakes and better appreciate when we encounter it in our life.

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 appreciate the presence of Perfection in an experience I may be having?  How does it feel in my body when I can realize that Perfection exists all around me?  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., June 23, 2019

For this Sunday, June 23rd, the focus for our meditation will be on Focus.  More years ago than I care to admit, I served as a police officer in Connecticut.  It was one of the most challenging jobs I’ve ever done, but I also gained many valuable lessons from it as well.  One of the things that stuck with me came from my experience at the police academy during basic training.  Our firing range instructor was a crusty former state trooper.  He was strict but had to be to make sure safety was utmost on everyone’s mind.  I had had experience in the military and was comfortable around weapons, so I found myself to be a competitive shooter.  The last day on the range when we had to officially qualify, I ended up being placed next to a fellow who was also a very good shot.  We often had tie scores during the preliminary rounds.  As the qualifying rounds began, the range instructor noticed I kept glancing over at the target next to mine to see how well the other person was doing.  The range instructor came over and signaled for me to step back from the firing line so he could speak with me.  All he said, in a firm, but supportive voice, was, “Keep your Focus on your own target.”  He knew I was disrupting my concentration by wanting to monitor a close competitor and would perform less well than I was capable of as a result.  Throughout my life when I have found myself losing Focus by the distractions that tend to pull us off our path, I continue to hear that range instructor’s words.  There are many things that can disrupt our Focus in life – the demands of family or work life, chasing after things we think we need but perhaps only want, and feeling pressured to keep up a particular façade or status of appearance in front of others.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us examine what may be disrupting our Focus in life.  Let us ask that we be shown ways to help keep our Focus even when distractions are present. 

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 maintain my Focus in the face of numerous distractions?  How does it feel in my body when I can Focus clearly on my life and what I am here to do?  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., June 16, 2019

For this Sunday, June 16th, the focus for our meditation will be on Speaking.  One thing I will never comprehend is when someone observes another individual being bullied or even physically assaulted, and the bystander simply live streams a video of the incident on their cell phone.  Why they don’t intercede to halt the abuse completely escapes me.  I suppose I could understand if the bystander felt physically intimidated, but there are response options other than violence.  The interesting thing about public instances of harm against another person is the perpetrators will feel emboldened if they believe no one will object.  The notion of herd mentality has been well-studied, and one factor behind this phenomenon is when members of a group feel they are among like-minded individuals.  While bystanders to a violent act may not be condoning what they see, their silence is likely taken as tacit approval by the thug.  If people were more willing to stand and Speak up for the victim perhaps the bullies would realize they are not in the majority.  They might be motivated to reconsider their actions in light of the awareness there are others around who object to what they are doing.  I am convinced all it would take is for one individual to change the tide of the group’s emotion and Speak out to voice their disapproval.  Just as the first stone thrown by a member of a mob can encourage others to follow suit, perhaps taking action in the opposite direction can prevent matters from escalating into violence.  If a single person steps up and Speaks out it might get the bully to retreat.  I also believe once the first person Speaks up others in the crowd would feel similarly motivated to reinforce the public censure.  The key to an effective reaction is to remain calm and confident in Speaking up and not sound angry or threatening to avoid heightening tensions.  Think about how much more peaceful our society as a whole would be if people were more willing to Speak out against instances of abuse.  If more people took the step of Speaking up against harm to others rather than being idle observers, we could see a tremendous decrease in the violence that plagues our nation.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask to find the strength and courage to Speak up when we observe acts we find objectionable.  May we all feel compelled to Speak out with calm, confident support for those who would be targeted by others for abuse.

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 Spoken up for those who were being taken advantage of by others?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to remain calm yet steadfast in Speaking out against violence?  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., June 9, 2019

For this Sunday, June 9th, the focus for our meditation will be on Pivot.  As I grow near the end of my professional career, I find I am acquiring a better appreciation of what in the military was called “short-timer’s attitude.”  This phenomenon is characterized by an increasing impatience with situations, decisions, or people that tend to leave you feeling frustrated or unhappy, particularly when you know your time with them is coming to a close.  Sometimes there are circumstances where no matter the tint density on your rose-colored glasses it is difficult to put a positive spin on things.  When we find ourselves in a protracted, frustrating situation it can be challenging to avoid simmering in anger or resentment.  If we allow ourselves to stew in those negative juices it can have a toxic effect that does us no good.  Yet, it often isn’t as simple as clicking our heels three times or trying our darnedest to remain optimistic.  Part of the problem is we may be wanting a complete about-face to occur.  Deep down inside we wish that difficult person would miraculously change and become thoroughly likable or those in charge would begin showing incredible wisdom in their decision-making rather than what seems to be cavalier tosses of the dart.  Those sorts of total reversals can be difficult if not impossible to achieve.  We may be asking too much of ourselves and others when those are our expectations.  Instead of stewing in our emotional turmoil by feeling helpless we may be better off trying to find a way to inject a minor tweak into the situation.  Rather than naively hoping for a full resolution perhaps we need to only Pivot our perspective just enough to pull us out of the slide into despondency.  When I encounter those moments, I try to pause and come up with just one thing that I am grateful for about the person or circumstance.  It isn’t always automatic, but at a minimum it helps reduce my focus on the negative aspect.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask to be shown how to Pivot our attitude when faced with challenging situations.  Let us ask that we find a way to redirect our focus so our perspective on difficult people or circumstances can Pivot and provide us a more constructive view of the problem.

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 Pivot my perspective on a problem and gain greater clarity?  How does it feel in my body when I can let go of resentment or frustration by Pivoting my attitude?  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., June 2, 2019

For this Sunday, June 2nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Exposure.  In photography Exposure refers to the process of allowing light to enter a camera’s aperture to capture an image on light-sensitive film.  The procedure is replicated digitally these days, but there is still an element of light coming through a digital camera’s lens to leave an impression.  Without light, no image is created.  The camera does not craft the image on its own but must be Exposed to a scene to capture what is often a thing of beauty.  Similarly, we are affected by what we allow ourselves to be Exposed to in our environment.  Do we let light and beauty come through, or are we surrounded by darkness?  Unlike the camera, we can create the image ourselves.  We can choose to produce beauty or ugliness.  It is easier to project a pleasing image when we are able to soak in the light and beauty that is all around us.  Whatever we focus on, whatever we surround ourselves with, that is what will imprint the image we ultimately show to the world.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider how we Expose ourselves to the light in order to create inner beauty.  Let us ask to be given the courage to Expose the beauty we possess to others and encourage them to also generate their own light and beauty in the world.

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 aware of the positive impact of Exposing myself to light and beauty around me?  How does it feel in my body when I am not afraid to Expose my inner beauty to 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