For this Sunday, January 19th, the focus for
our meditation will be on Perseverance.
So, how has the experiment from last week’s meditation topic been going
for you? If your experience is similar
to mine, it has admittedly been a challenge.
I have intentionally sought out news sources I might otherwise avoid,
but there have been numerous times when my initial reaction to a video or
article was that it was utter nonsense.
My thinking behind this experiment is not to abandon all our filters and
blindly accept everything we read or hear but to do so with the intention of
being more neutral and open-minded. Perhaps
it is my graduate school training in the “scientific method,” but I like to
think I can approach an issue with objectivity and let the facts speak for
themselves before reaching a conclusion.
I am also a registered unaffiliated voter and quite often have cast my vote
in a split ticket where I look at a candidate’s platform on issues that matter
to me rather than their party affiliation.
Even with this background, the experiment has been difficult. Over the past week I have taken in “news” coverage
that was biased in both directions. No party
dominates this realm of what sometimes appears to be purposeful misinformation –
they both contribute to the problem. When
I have encountered articles or videos that in my opinion contain obvious falsehoods
my recourse has been to step back and ask why they believe (or want to believe)
what they are promulgating. In other
words, what is it that has caused segments of our society to feel so
disenfranchised they are willing to accept information that seems blatantly
distorted? Why do they feel their lives
have suffered or they have been denied opportunities given freely to
others? It is a different approach that
I have tried to pursue with sincerity and a genuine desire to seek
understanding. I still don’t have all
the answers, but in adopting this method it has allowed me to Persevere
in trying to digest content I would have previously dismissed. In the process, I have also learned at least
one positive aspect about the side of an issue where I have held an opposing
opinion. It isn’t so much about trying
to change our mind on various issues but more about opening our mind to try and
understand the different point of view held by others. This week in our prayer and meditation time
let us ask for the ability to Persevere through the challenge of trying
to remain objective and fair-minded in gathering information. May we feel encouraged and supported in our
desire to gain a broader understanding of important issues and through this
effort come to find more in common with others than the differences we believe separate
us.
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 Persevere
in a challenging life experience? How does it feel in my body when I find
my Perseverance allows me to succeed at a task? 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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