Meditation Instructions for Sun., June 28, 2020

For this Sunday, June 28th, the focus for our meditation will be on Kindness.  Over the years I have come to a startling reversal in my opinions on various important issues.  Where I previously held a very strong view on certain topics (and let me tell you, wasn’t I convinced I was on the “right” side of that argument at the time?…) I later completely changed my mind.  This adjustment sometimes only occurred years after some long-held belief slowly eroded over time.  It isn’t easy for any of us to accept that maybe we aren’t looking at a complex issue clearly.  This isn’t to suggest all of our challenges in life are easily split into binary “right” and “wrong” sides; often they contain shades of gray that drift over that artificial dividing line.  What helped me immensely had less to do with my willingness to remain open-minded and instead was much more about the Kindness shown to me by those who held very different opinions from mine.  By presenting their views in a non-critical way it allowed me to keep my mind open.  Over time the ideas they presented percolated in my thoughts until eventually I had to confront my notions and accept that a change was in order.  So, what can we do to help people remain receptive to ideas that may differ drastically from their own beliefs?  We may not be able to immediately switch someone’s opinion, but if we can express ourselves with calmness, clarity, and Kindness perhaps some of what we are trying to communicate may sink in.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that we all come to appreciate how complex issues have many different facets to them, and none of us holds an entirely “correct” view.  May Spirit help guide us in how to extend Kindness to others who hold differing opinions so we each may be willing to remain objective and open-minded rather than reject any consideration of what seems contradictory or “wrong.”  May the energy and light of our prayers help spread a wave that brings clarity and Kindness to our communication and lessens our tendency to automatically want to take “sides.”

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 someone has expressed differing views with a consideration and Kindness that reduced my defensiveness?  How does it feel in my body when I understand how to communicate to others in a way that reflects Kindness rather than criticism?  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 21, 2020

For this Sunday, June 21st, the focus for our meditation will be on Educate.  I will never fully know what it is like to be a person of color.  There have been circumstances when I have traveled abroad and been the only Caucasian person, but it is nowhere near the same experience of being a member of an oppressed group.  Even in other countries my skin provides me with “white privilege” – the locals may be curious and gawk at my presence, but I would never be subject to the same mistreatment minorities often face in this country.  While I cannot know what it is like to be a person of color, I can take steps to better Educate myself as to their experiences and frustrations.  Over the past few weeks, I have sought to fill in the gaps in my understanding of our country’s history that have been glaringly absent from my formal schooling.  I am learning of the courage of people like Bob Moses and Fannie Lou Hamer, whose stories I had never heard previously.  I am adding to my understanding of seismic events such as what occurred in Selma.  In each instance I feel some embarrassment that I didn’t already know about these people and the circumstances in which they found themselves swept along by a wave of historical proportions.  Through reading, listening, and watching I am working to gain a better understanding of our nation’s long history of prejudice.  For I have come to learn that it is only through this process of becoming more informed and Educated about the complexities of race relations that we can truly change our future.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us ask that all citizens of this great nation seek to become better Educated about issues such as systemic bias, the ignorance and fear underlying prejudice, and the undeniable presence of white privilege.  By being willing to learn more about our past may we all become motivated to forge a different future that manifests true acceptance and love for all individuals regardless of their race or ethnicity.

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 recognized there are gaps in my understanding of complex issues that can only be filled through purposeful Education?  How does it feel in my body when I am willing to take steps to better Educate myself on important issues?  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 14, 2020

For this Sunday, June 14th, the focus for our meditation will be on Intolerance.  If you are not a racist, pat yourself on the back – it means you are not a part of the problem.  But if you are not anti-racist neither are you a part of the solution.  Those who are racist behave the way they do out of ignorance, hatred and fear and because they believe they will be able to get away unscathed.  They have seen others around them pretend not to notice what they are doing and remain silent.  That emboldens them to continue their heinous behavior.  The only way to shut it down is to let them know you will not Tolerate such action.  Being Intolerant of prejudice means the next time you observe someone mistreating another individual you need to speak up.  If you are afraid to intervene, record the event so authorities can take it from there.  These bigots must begin to understand that there will be retribution for when they misbehave.  When they discover there are repercussions for their actions only then will they cease.  It may not change their character, but at least it will afford some level of protection for those who are the target of their vile actions.  If you see something, say something.  We are no longer going to Tolerate blatant injustice, bias and prejudice in our communities.  Stand up, speak up, and let those who want to suppress the rights of others on the basis of their skin color know that they will no longer be Tolerated.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask for the courage to publicly express our Intolerance of prejudice.  May the light that we carry in the world cause those who only bring darkness to remain hidden and prevent them from harming others.  Let us always be guided in how to remain compassionate and nonviolent while seeking to protect others.

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 can no longer Tolerate conduct that I find abhorrent?  How does it feel in my body when I am willing to express my Intolerance of prejudice?  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 7, 2020

For this Sunday, June 7th, the focus for our meditation will be on Movement.  Social media has been a popular forum for sharing the numerous creative memes that ask for a “reboot” of the year 2020.  There is another theme with a Bingo card populated with implausible events that all seem to be converging in reality.  I can certainly appreciate the wish to begin the year anew in the hope it turns out differently.  This desire is driven by our innate aversion to unpleasant or difficult circumstances.  But life doesn’t work like a video game; there is no “do-over” button.  I know in my life I have made decisions or taken paths I wouldn’t have otherwise taken if not for a spiritual kick in the pants that forced me in that direction.  In hindsight it became clear that the right path had been chosen, and I was eventually grateful for what may have initially appeared as an unwelcome incentive to change.  The challenges we are facing today present an opportunity to Move our world in a different direction.  Rather than lapse back into complacency we can use the current flood of emotion to finally push us over a tipping point and Move forward to introduce needed change.  It would be disgraceful if recent events simply became another milestone in a continuation of the long history of intolerance and injustice inequitably forced on certain segments of society.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that we please be willing to Move away from the pain and hatred that seem to fill our world.  May we find a way to gain significant forward Movement that allows us to finally abandon the prejudice plaguing our nation.  Let the light and energy of our prayers be lifted up to help Move the hearts of those who have resisted this change for far too long.

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 know I am making forward Movement that is helping me to grow?  How does it feel in my body when I am willing to Move in a needed direction rather than remain apathetic?  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