Meditation Instructions for Sun., April 26, 2020

For this Sunday, April 26th, the focus for our meditation will be on Ingenuity.  The adage, “necessity is the mother of invention,” has certainly been proven repeatedly under current stay-at-home restrictions.  Each day I see Ingenious ways people have found to deal with not just boredom but also the lack of basic necessities.  People have been incredibly creative in finding ways to make their own protective face masks.  Educators have shown tremendous Ingenuity in modifying lesson plans and learning how to hold classes remotely for their students.  Families come up with ways to extend food staples and discover alternative recipes to provide some welcome variety at mealtimes.  Performers put on spontaneous shows and entertain us from their living rooms and backyards over the Internet.  I will be curious to see how this new level of Ingenuity continues long after the restrictions lift.  Perhaps we will rely less on excuses as to why we can’t do something having now shown ourselves we can find a way to figure out almost anything when we have no other choice.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us support the creative spark that feeds our Ingenuity and helps us identify novel solutions to problems both big and small.  May everyone be encouraged to continue to use their Ingenuity going forward in a way that makes life easier and more enjoyable.

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 come up with Ingenious ways to solve problems?  How does it feel in my body when I discover an untapped reservoir of Ingenuity that helps me creatively deal with challenges?  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., April 19, 2020

For this Sunday, April 19th, the focus for our meditation will be on Adaptation.  For as long as life has existed, there has always been the need for Adaptation.  Nothing living remains static, and therefore change will always be thrust upon us, ready or not.  The inability to Adapt to changing circumstances and environments has for eons led to the extinction of entire species.  In our present situation with a global pandemic many people are beginning to chafe at the need for continued restrictions.  They commiserate with others as to when life will return to “normal” again.  Experts already are issuing cautions about any expectations of an immediate return to regular activities.  It sounds as though this will be a slow process of gradual changes that eventually allow us to resume “normal” life once again.  However, when we get there, what exactly will we find as being “normal?”  I am most concerned about the potentially lasting impact this financial situation will have on small, local businesses such as restaurants.  Some will hopefully find a way to weather this storm, but I know others will probably remain permanently shuttered.  Something else will inevitably come along to take their place, and the recovery phase is likely to be gradual and prolonged.  How might we find ourselves needing to Adapt on the other side of this situation?  Personally, I hope the practice of more frequent hand-washing persists.  We may find people continue to wear masks in public when they are not feeling well, a very common precaution throughout Asia.  We are being called upon to Adapt our lives currently, and we can expect to face additional requirements for change long after the restrictions are lifted.  Think of our ancestors who had to learn to Adapt to all the changes their society encountered after the 1918 influenza pandemic, two world wars, and the Great Depression.  They managed to survive, even though I’m sure life was not the same for them after these events.  Just as they were able to carry on, so will we as long as we remain willing to stay flexible and Adapt.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that people who are being affected by this difficult time find the means to Adapt.  May we be encouraged to become resilient in our response to change and be willing to Adapt however is necessary to carry us all through. 

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 been able to successfully Adapt to changing circumstances in my life?  How does it feel in my body when I find an inner resilience that allows me to remain flexible and Adaptive to whatever life throws 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., April 12, 2020

For this Sunday, April 12th, the focus for our meditation will be on Community.  The average age of residents in the Community where I live is 84 years old.  I’m obviously one of the “young kids on the block,” but the Community is surprisingly vibrant.  Yes, there are plenty of walkers and canes around, but even in those who are not as physically able their spirit shows a youthful vibrancy.  We look out for each other, and our sense of Community helps maintain a sense of social ties, even if we just reach out by email and telephone to check on friends and neighbors.  Because this Community is more vulnerable, we have been under restrictions for some time well before local regulations were changed in response to the pandemic.  The administrators in charge of the Community take their responsibilities seriously to help keep everyone here healthy and safe.  I believe one of the reasons we have so far avoided any cases of COVID-19 is because the Community as a whole shares that same sense of responsibility for each other.  It will take a similar level of commitment on the part of every social Community for us to get through this difficult period with fewer casualties.  We must step up and take responsibility in looking out for each other, especially the most vulnerable members of our society.  As we continue to socially isolate, I also find a growing appreciation for even the simplest aspects of Community.  Friends of mine and I miss dining at restaurants, going to the movies, or even just being able to give each other a warm hug as a greeting.  I suspect there will be a lot of hugging going around once we are beyond this contagion!  Until then, let us all find a way to show our appreciation to the other members of our Community who are there to support us.  Be sure to reach out to others by phone or email to let them know you are thinking of them.  Hang a sign of appreciation on your door or mailbox for the delivery people and mail carriers who have made it possible to receive needed items without going into public shops.  If we all remain conscientious of these restrictions and considerate of others, we will emerge on the other side with stronger Communities going forward.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that a sense of Community everywhere be strengthened.  May people feel a greater appreciation for the resources that help sustain our Communities and cherish their importance even more.  By reinforcing our ties to Community we will all get through this together!

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 appreciate that I am a member of a Community at home or in society?  How does it feel in my body when I am grateful for the support I receive by being part of a 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., April 5, 2020

For this Sunday, April 5th, the focus for our meditation will be on Strength.  This period of imposed isolation can be stressful, particularly for business owners or those who have lost their means of employment and are now worried financially about their future.  For some of us perhaps it means simply going without things we might otherwise enjoy, such as social activities or grocery items that are out of stock.  But imagine you are a child or an adult whose only refuge from an abusive parent or partner was the time you got to spend at school or at work.  Now being cooped up with this abuser must be unimaginably stressful for those who are subjected to this torment.  Under the best of circumstances these victims have to tread carefully to avoid doing anything that might trigger a violent outburst.  With the ongoing stress of our current situation it must be extraordinarily difficult to be trapped in a home with no escape from the potential for abuse.  What we are all going through right now is likely to leave lasting changes on our societies, but I shudder to think of the permanent damage it can cause for victims of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us focus on those who are victims of domestic or other abuse and ask that the light and energy of our prayers form a shield of protection and Strength around them.  May the collective energy of our prayers help Strengthen those who may be fearful of abuse and help them find access to resources that can aid in removing them from that situation.

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 the Strength I possess to deal with a difficult or stressful situation?  How does it feel in my body when I know I have the Strength to protect myself from those who may wish me harm?  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