Meditation Instructions for Sun., December 29, 2019

For this Sunday, December 29th, the focus for our meditation will be on Opportunity.  In a few days we will begin not just a new year but also a new decade.  These milestones can represent an Opportunity for a shift in our circumstances, if we allow it.  The thing about Opportunities is that you are not being handed immediate success or fulfillment.  They instead provide an opening that requires us to take action in order to take full advantage of what they can bring.  When presented with an Opportunity we have choices to make as to whether we want to step through that door as well as how to proceed down the path they open up for us.  Some effort on our part is likely going to be required, but the rewards can be more than we might even imagine.  What would you change about your circumstances, if the Opportunity presented itself?  How could your life be different, if you had the Opportunity to take another direction?  Let us use our prayer and meditation time this week to examine what Opportunities we would like to make possible in this new year and decade that are ahead.  Let us ask to be given the courage to take full advantage of the Opportunities that present themselves, and may we be supported in our desire to effect those changes that will help us continue to grow.

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 given an Opportunity to make important changes in my life?  How does it feel in my body when I am not afraid to proceed into the unknown and take full advantage of an Opportunity that arises?  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., December 22, 2019

For this Sunday, December 22nd, the focus for our meditation will be on Trust.  I am the only one among my siblings who did not learn how to swim as a child.  My parents had me attend lessons at the local swimming pool, but to say I did not take to it like the proverbial duck to water is a gross understatement.  I was terrified of the water for some unknown reason.  Fast forward to college when I switched my major to Physical Education to become what I thought was going to be an athletic trainer before life had different plans for me, and I discovered swimming was a required course in the curriculum.  I dreaded the first class but dutifully showed up.  The instructor reassured the few non-swimmers among us that we were all capable of learning.  In her preliminary pep talk she mentioned that every summer she taught developmentally and physically challenged people how to swim.  That got my attention and opened up for me the initial possibility that perhaps she could even get me to not inhale half the pool’s contents when my head was beneath the surface.  Because of her experience and past success, I felt I could Trust her and began to relax a bit.  By the end of the semester I was actually swimming laps and was able to reasonably execute a variety of strokes, even the ones requiring me to submerge my head underwater.  If I hadn’t been able to let go and Trust this person, I never would have discovered the pleasure of swimming.  Our country right now is in such a period of turmoil with many people in angst about what is happening on the national stage.  Some even speak in terms of doom and gloom for our country and fear what the future will bring.  My experience reminds me in times such as these to remain positive and Trust that the foundational strength of our nation will see us through.  It has been a while since I spoke of the concept of the “manitou,” or the spiritual energy that is created when an organization is formed.  The manitou consists of the energy contribution of the founders and carries with it their hopes and intentions for what form their creation will take as it evolves.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us focus on connecting with the manitou or energetic purpose of our nation with a feeling of Trust that we will get through this difficult period.  May the light of our prayers help ease the unease that seems to pervade this country and replace it with a sense of confidence and Trust that a better future will come for all.

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 feel confident and have a sense of Trust in what the future will bring?  How does it feel in my body when I can let go of my fear and worry and allow myself to Trust that troubles will be resolved in time?  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., December 15, 2019

For this Sunday, December 15th, the focus for our meditation will be on Inclusiveness.  This time of year, when we are inundated with constant reminders of the “merriness” of the season, it can be especially difficult for those who feel rejected or marginalized by the rest of society.  The holidays are stressful enough, but add to the mix other issues such as being financially strained or separated from family and friends, and they can be anything but “merry.”  I find it heartwarming to hear of efforts to help those on the edge of society or who have struggles that make it difficult for them to feel Included in society.  A gentleman in Alabama named Rodney Smith, Jr. decided to do something about this problem.  He created an enterprise called Raising Men Lawn Care Service (https://weareraisingmen.com/).  The concept is simple.  Rodney inspires young men and women to accept his “50 Yard Challenge” by agreeing to mow the lawns of at least 50 people in need.  They provide this free service for the elderly, the disabled, single parents, and military veterans who may not have the means to maintain their own lawns.  The movement began regionally, then expanded nationally, and now involves youth in six countries who have mowed more than 15,000 lawns.  Along the way new friendships are formed, and the young people feel a sense of pride and accomplishment by helping others.  During the winter season these volunteers shovel driveways and sidewalks and also deliver donated items to people in need particularly the homeless.  The beaming smiles on the faces of those they help speak volumes.  It is much more than having your lawn mowed – it is feeling a connection with someone who is taking time to acknowledge you as a person.  People who may have been quite alone now have a caring friend who help them feel more a part of society.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us examine our own communities and ask if there are those in need of feeling more Included by others.  May we be inspired to expand a sense of Inclusiveness for all even in ways that make them simply feel acknowledged as an individual.

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 appreciated feeling Included by others as a member of their circle of friends?  How does it feel in my body when I have recognized the impact of intentionally Including others who may have been marginalized?  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., December 8, 2019

For this Sunday, December 8th, the focus for our meditation will be on Precious.  I recently came across a marvelous panel of the cartoon featuring Calvin and Hobbes.  Calvin, the mischievous young boy, is nestled peacefully against his stuffed tiger friend, Hobbes, and both are sound asleep.  The caption is a quote from Hobbes and reads, “If good things lasted forever, would we appreciate how Precious they are?”  Moments like those are often something we wish would never end.  We want to forever bask in the comfort of those times when we are entirely at peace with ourselves and the world.  But perhaps Hobbes wisely realized we would lose our appreciation for the specialness of those moments if they were truly everlasting.  It may be that we need the contrast of the mundane or even the frustrating in life to fully cherish those times we consider Precious.  This season when we often are so distracted by material things and the stressors of the holidays, we would be well served to take a moment to pause and reflect on what is truly Precious in life.  What do we most value and would not want to live without?  Who in our life do we consider to be most important to us?  Are we really living our life in a way that takes full advantage of all the gifts we already have?  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider what is most Precious.  Let us give thanks for those Precious moments that help make life feel more fulfilling and satisfying.  In particular, let us ask that those who may struggle in this season with feelings of loneliness or sadness come to recognize what is present in their life that might be more Precious than they realize. 

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 full appreciation for all that is Precious in my life?  How does it feel in my body when I cherish those non-material aspects of all I have that I find Precious?  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., December 1, 2019

For this Sunday, December 1st, the focus for our meditation will be on Being.  One more inspiration drawn from the wisdom of Fred Rogers will serve as the focus for this week’s meditation topic, although I feel we could almost do an entire year of focus topics just based on his contributions to this world.  Fred’s widow, Joanne Rogers, continues to help spread his amazing legacy and has been giving many interviews with the recent release of the film about her husband.  She was recently asked how he might react given all the divisiveness and anger in our society right now.  Some wondered if Fred, who was first and foremost an ordained minister, might take to the pulpit of social media to tweet about his probable dismay with current events.  Joanne’s response was that he would just “Be.”  He wouldn’t turn to social media to rail against injustice or hatred or violence.  He would just Be a presence in the world who carried an energy to counter its deficiencies.  Being means so much more than just thinking or hoping or intending positivity.  Being requires us to physically create an energy that is fully present and that carries as much light as we can generate.  Being means that we energetically alter our immediate surroundings in a way that ultimately ripples out and continues to impact others near and far.  If we are filled with anger, hatred, jealousy, etc., that is what we end up broadcasting out into the world.  But if we turn to meditation to help raise our vibration, we emanate that greater light instead.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us consider how we are Being in the world.  Let us ask to be assisted with generating the light and energy needed as a salve for the ills of our society and be shown how to fully Be a healing presence.

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 that I am a physical Being in the world creating light and energy that impacts others?  How does it feel in my body when I consciously seek to just Be a positive presence in 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