Meditation Instructions for Sun., August 30, 2020

For this Sunday, August 30th, the focus for our meditation will be on Heterogeneity.  None of us is solely defined by our affiliation with a particular group, ethnicity or race, political party, religion, etc.  We are all Heterogeneous blends of multiple characteristics that make us more interesting as individuals.  Some wish to oversimplify this diversity and convince everyone that all members of a particular group hold the exact same beliefs or preferences.  This is false reductionism and is often used to separate groups of people into “them” and “us.”  There are friends for whom I have tremendous respect and affection who hold very different political views from mine.  Some would have me readily assume those people are ignorant or lack ethics because their opinions are not aligned with what I believe.  This is simply not so.  To accept this falsehood would have me succumb to the manipulation of a very vocal minority with a desire to divide and weaken our society.  We are all better than that and can think for ourselves and reject the falsehoods some would have us believe about others who differ from us.  I am dismayed at the frequent accounts of people who are “unfriending” others on social media because they don’t agree with them.  There is no positive outcome from this course of action.  We want to instead learn how to accept each other’s differences and find the means to engage in civil discourse.  That will enable us to remain in solidarity with the greater objective of progressing as individuals and as a nation.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us reflect on the importance of Heterogeneity rather than a singular mindset.  May we all come to appreciate how Heterogeneity enriches our society by making us more creative and resilient.

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 how a Heterogeneous group offers a rich set of diverse ideas and abilities?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize the benefit of learning to accept the differences found in Heterogeneity rather than expect uniformity?  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., August 23, 2020

For this Sunday, August 23rd, the focus for our meditation will be on Cohesion.  One of my regrets is that I never thought to ask my grandparents about their experiences during the global influenza pandemic that began in 1918.  I don’t recall them ever even mentioning it, although they would have been in their 20’s at the time and certainly would have been expected to have some memories associated with what occurred.  With the absence of any direct sources to turn to I’ve been reading a book by John M. Barry titled, “The Great Influenza.”  The beginning of the book talks about the incredibly disorganized and ill-informed state of medicine in the early 1900’s.  Medical schools in the United States had no entrance requirements (beyond the ability to pay tuition fees), taught solely by lecture, and those graduates who completed the program would go on to practice medicine without ever having laid hands on a patient.  It was unheard of for medical schools to have a laboratory for research and study.  It took the Cohesion generated by several key individuals to revolutionize the medical profession in the U.S.  Competing universities had to overcome their differences, and the egos of established faculty had to be set aside in order for a tidal wave of needed changes to be adopted.  Although this revolution in medicine did not occur in time to identify a cure for that strain of influenza it did lead to more effective treatments for some of the deadliest symptoms, such as bacterial pneumonia.  In today’s present circumstances the world is confronted by a similar challenge.  If we are to overcome the threat of this current pandemic there needs to be greater Cohesion and a willingness to set aside selfish interests to do what is necessary to reduce the spread.  Nations would benefit from working together to share resources and develop an effective and safe vaccine.  This week in our prayer and meditation let us ask that a willingness for more Cohesion grow and help bring relief to all who are threatened by this disease.   

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 a group effort has become more successful through Cohesion?  How does it feel in my body when I am willing to set aside selfish interests and instead become more Cohesive and aligned with a mutual benefit for all?  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., August 16, 2020

 

For this Sunday, August 16th, the focus for our meditation will be on Schooling.  When I was growing up, I was one of those geeky kids who couldn’t wait for summer recess to end so I could return to School.  I loved to learn, and my teachers were an important source of mentors to me who had greater influence on my character than anyone else in my life.  Schools all over are grappling with the challenge of resuming classes while maintaining measures that help protect students and faculty from contracting the coronavirus.  Most School systems have already been delivering lessons virtually, but that does not mean they have been equally successful.  In some areas even though students might receive laptops or tablets from local educational programs, they do not have access to reliable Internet service that is needed to make online learning feasible.  Some students with learning disabilities struggle with virtual training that strains their ability to concentrate and retain information.  Even educators can find it difficult to modify their content for effective online presentation.  In some areas teachers are required to physically return to their classrooms even if they are delivering lessons over the Internet.  Many of them are stressed by the increased risk of exposure, particularly if they have health issues or have to care for a family member with immune problems.  I also find myself thinking of all the students who may have eagerly planned to attend classes abroad through exchange programs that have come to a halt.  It is sad to imagine the disappointment and loss of opportunity they are experiencing.  Unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, this appears to be the way our School systems will need to function in order to keep everyone safe.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us recognize the additional stress this situation is placing on students, faculty and administrators as Schooling resumes.  May the energy of our prayers help those who are finding it more difficult to learn or teach, and may they receive the assistance they need to make this educational process as smooth and effective as possible.  Please fill Schools everywhere with additional light this week so those who are seeking to acquire or impart valuable information will be able to achieve their desire for education.

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 the positive impact Schools have had in my life?  How does it feel in my body when I recognize how valuable Schools are to improving ourselves?  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., August 9, 2020

 

For this Sunday, August 9th, the focus for our meditation will be on Imperfection.  Have you ever felt you were not worthy or not good enough as a person?  In the New Testament book of Luke, Jesus is approached by a man who addresses him as, “Good teacher.”  His reply was, “Why do you call me good?”  Jesus was not disputing the assignation of being a teacher, but he was clearly rejecting the notion that he was “good.”  Let that sink in for a moment.  If Jesus did not consider himself to be good, how can we ever expect perfection from ourselves, our significant others, our colleagues, or our leaders?  We are all Imperfect beings.  What is more important than striving to achieve the false goal of perfection is our ability to acknowledge our flaws.  If we do not allow our ego to take center stage we can better learn from our mistakes, but we must first admit we have made errors.  When we readily confront our Imperfections it allows us to also see beyond the mistakes of others and be more willing to grant forgiveness.  Our society all too often seems to want to reduce everything down to an overly simplistic good or bad, black or white, or other dichotomies.  Life is never that easy or clear cut.  Let us instead seek to accept our own Imperfections and allow others the same freedom to err without judgment or rejection.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask that we all become more willing to recognize our Imperfection as human beings.  May the insight we glean by seeing our Imperfection allow us to also be more charitable and forgiving with 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 know I am flawed and filled with Imperfection?  How does it feel in my body when I am able to acknowledge my mistakes and allow myself to be Imperfect without judgment?  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., August 2, 2020

For this Sunday, August 2nd, the focus for our meditation will be on History.  In a letter to be published upon his death, former Congressman John Lewis wrote, “You must also study and learn the lessons of History because humanity has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time.  People on every continent have stood in your shoes, through decades and centuries before you.  The truth does not change, and that is why the answers worked out long ago can help you find solutions to the challenges of our time.”  This is indeed not the first time we have experienced the challenges we are now facing, nor are we the only society to have undergone these trials.  By looking to History we can glean insights that will help guide us through our present circumstances that can sometimes seem so complex and confounding that it is easy for people to lose hope.  Examining our past helps us understand how we got to where we are and can also just as clearly show us the way forward.  We recognize the mistakes that have perhaps placed us in a particular situation and hopefully are granted the wisdom to avoid repeating those same errors again.  If we ignore History we remain blindered to the elements that created our present circumstances and are left feeling like helpless pawns in a cosmic game of fate with no control over where we go from here.  Understanding our History shows we do have a say as to our future for often a small, simple act or decision was pivotal in the path ultimately taken.  It is through our History that we can learn a broader set of options available and better yet, their potential outcomes.  This week in our prayer and meditation time let us ask to gain a stronger appreciation for our History and the valuable lessons we may find there.  May a willingness to examine History help us avoid repeating some of the same missteps and more easily overcome any challenges.    

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 the importance of History and the lessons it can hold for us today?  How does it feel in my body when I have been assisted in my present decision-making by looking to the past and the insights History can provide?  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