For this Sunday, July 10th, the focus for our meditation will be on Disconnecting. Normally I post the meditation topic just before the first Sunday of each month, but as you will notice, this posting is a week later than usual. That is because I had been away on a trip of a lifetime – a three-week pilgrimage to Scotland and France. Since the purpose of the trip was to be on pilgrimage (as opposed to being a tourist on vacation) I chose to Disconnect myself from email and especially social media as much as possible. Sometimes the Disconnection was forced by unreliable Internet access but sometimes it was purposeful on my part. During that time, I typically only responded to a few emails and would occasionally scan headlines of news bulletins. I was vaguely aware of what was going on in the world but was not drawn into the emotional turmoil that seemed to accompany what was happening. This period of Disconnecting made for stark contrast when I finally returned home and began to re-engage with friends and neighbors. Many of them spoke of feeling depressed, angry and fearful at events that had been occurring. I sympathized with their angst but did not experience the same level of emotional intensity they obviously felt. I had no real words of wisdom or consolation for them either, other than to interrupt their harangues by asking what they could do in response. They often spoke of their motivation to encourage people to vote, to write to political representatives, and to publicly demonstrate in support of their position. All of that was admirable, but I privately wondered if it might be easier to not become so emotionally charged by events as well. Let me make clear that I am not advocating complacency or apathy. I think it is important for us to stay apprised and knowledgeable of what is happening in our world, but my experience made it clear that sometimes too much immersion in current events can also be detrimental. We often need distance in time to gain a better perspective. In the immediacy of an experience our emotions often respond with too much force, and this can distract us from seeing things more clearly. Over the remainder of this month in our prayer and meditation time let us consider whether we might benefit from withdrawing a bit from the reporting of events, particularly through television and social media. Let us ask to be guided how to better focus our time and attention on activities that sustain rather than drain us. May we learn how to become comfortable with Disconnecting from the addiction of social media and gain better balance and serenity in our life as a result.
In our efforts this month 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 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 find myself feeling more calm and serene after periodically Disconnecting from news and social media? How does it feel in my body when I am able to Disconnect from the emotional turmoil that seems prompted by world events? 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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