Meditation: Love is enough

In his commentary on Paul's letter to the Galatians 6:10, St Jerome relays a story about the Apostle John who lived in Ephesus in his extreme old age. When he was asked to speak, he would say nothing but this "Little children, love one another!"

When at last the sisters and brothers grew tired of hearing the same thing again and again, they asked "Master, why do you keep saying the same thing?"

Jerome tells us the John replied with a saying worthy of him: "Because it is the Lord's command, and it is enough - if it is really done!"

Old man frustrated with age and life

waiting to be somewhere else. Waiting,

after a lifetime watching history unfold,

his teacher assassinated, his city destroyed, 

his friends one by one killed and returning home,

and him still here with the young people! Waiting!

His teacher said Love one another.

He heard and understood, 
but fifty years later he understands more, 
grasping the revolution and the new way to see 
camouflaged in those pretty words.

He meant: return yourself to God

who is love.

He meant: return yourself to God;

live only in love. Put all other aside.

He meant: return yourself to God

in whose likeness you are made.

He meant: return yourself to God

who is your home.

He meant: return yourself to God, be

part of the Unity of Love.

He meant: turn yourself to God.

The master said it, and

it is enough - if it really done.

God is love. We are love, if we can but see it.

God is love and creates nothing but love, in love, and 
through love. It is enough! Take me home.

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest 1 John 4:7-8,16-21

Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 

God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them. Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgement Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's. There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.

We love because God first loved us. If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen. The command that Christ has given us is this: whoever loves God must love others also.

Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word LOVE. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Don't call me

You are my God and I worship you. 
I share my insights into you,
and into our relationship.
I visit your temple, and daily pray to you.

But, my God, let that be enough.
I pray to you: don't call me - 
don't ask me to do more.
Don't set me up to look foolish.

Leave it to the professionals to lead.
I am happy as a follower, happy to snipe
from the borders, happy to talk to just a few
anonymous readers and listeners so that

I can't be blamed if I am wrong,  if they
choose to listen to me when
they could have listened to so many other
crazy religious extremists.

So please - don't call me. I am happy
where I am; safe with no-one relying on me
to share truth, to pronounce doctrine,
to advise on life-style.

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you, and ask your blessing" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a traditional Bible reading I suggest (you look up Jonah 1 or) Matthew 21:28-32

“Now, what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons. He went to the older one and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ ‘I don't want to,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. ‘Yes, sir,’ he answered, but he did not go. Which one of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The older one,” they answered.

So Jesus said to them, “I tell you: the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you. For John the Baptist came to you showing you the right path to take, and you would not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. Even when you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him.

1. Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.
2. What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?
3. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
4. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the words CALLED. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock. 

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Your word is a lamp to my feet (Psalm 119)

Blessed are all alert to the word of God,

who seek God with all their hearts,
who are always aware of their Creator's dream, 
and walk the ways of our God!

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

With my whole heart I seek you;
let my mind not wander from you!

Open my eyes, that I may always see
your lamp lighting the path to my home.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

I am a passer-by on the earth;

a stranger here, observing human ways, 
seeking always your milestones, searching 
for signposts to direct me to my home.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Your hands have made and fashioned me, 

you informed my mind, taught my heart to love;
give me in-sight that I may walk your path.

I am yours; guide me, I walk your road barefoot.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Each of us hears your command, sees your path, 

if we but open our eyes and ears. 
The path is lit, the map is clear.
Boldly walk on, the way is straight. 

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Let my soul live and praise you,
and your rules guide my way.
Distracted, I may miss my step, but your word
will guide my feet and always light my way.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Psalm 119 is a long acrostic poem, each stanza beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. I have not attempted this. This psalm is focused on the best-known verse, and, like the real psalm, is a song thanking God for his word and guidance.

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest Psalm 119, 105-112

Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your righteous rules.
I am severely afflicted;
    give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
    and teach me your rules.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
    but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
    but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
    for they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, to the end.

1. Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.
2. What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?
3. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
4. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word LIGHT. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock. 

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: The Creator's dream

Creation
the whole of it
and every item in it
is part of our Creator's dream.

As I create, I dream of love; perfected love, enriched and 
complete love enfolding the whole of me, 
embracing every element of my making.
I am all and in all, surrounding and filling 
wise and self-aware spirits, each unique 
but all united, amplifying my love.

Love is not complete without a lover to love. 
So creation overflows with our creations - 
each part enriching and whole and sharing deeply 
in my love, reflecting your love to each other, who is me.

My children are children, new and unschooled 
and having to learn and suffer and commit; not 
beings programmed, already fulfilling my dream. 
Love is less when not freely given. Perfect love 
requires generous giving: and being perfect, 
each of you freely chooses to share your love 
for yourself, for each of our creations, and so for me.

Only then is my dream complete.

So I create you free - and in Time - watch each grow,
become more, add more, love more completely.
l have faith in each of you!
And I am in each, and with each, in each moment 
to guide, to support, to hope and to love.
In most moments you still ignore me, but in Time, 
and with my gifts of intuition, each one of you learns, and grows 
towards others, towards me, towards our unity in love.

The vision is perfect,
overflowing with love, wonders and beauty;
the eternal consummation of the Creator's unending now - 
even as we wait, in Time, for completion.


Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest John 17,20-23 - Jesus' prayer ...

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

1. Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.
2. What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?
3. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
4. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word LOVE. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock. 

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Compassion

Most obvious in disasters, 
we have clear and painfilled
evidence that we are joined: one 
organism living many almost-separate lives.
   
   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under 
   the weight you bear so resolutely.

The boat burns around you.
The quake crushes your child.
Chemo balds your smiling child.
Partner dead after a life together.

   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under the weight you bear 
   so resolutely.

Childhood destroyed by an adult.
Home desecrated; safety lost. 
Drunk driver kills child in yard.
Children taken by terrorists. 

   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under the weight you bear 
   so resolutely.

My heart throbs in time with your anguish,
beats with yours and aches in sorrow 
for the moment. And in the moment 
we unite: one heart, one love, one pain.

   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under the weight you bear 
   so resolutely.

Treasure that still moment - savour the pain, 
the tears, the wonder of unexpected connection: 
links that nurture growing awareness
until no-one can ignore our unity.

   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under the weight 
   you bear so resolutely.

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you, and ask your blessing" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a traditional Bible reading I suggest James 1, 26-27. In the days before social security widows and orphans were the most completely vulnerable citizens.

Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself. What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep yourself from being corrupted by the world.

Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

1. Does a word of phrase jump out to speak to you?
2. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
3. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with the word or phrase, or the word MERCY. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 
4. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 
5. Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: My Promise (Psalm 101)

Psalm 101: David's psalm of Re-dedication

My song is about truth and honour,

   and I sing it to you, O Lord.

Each day, each hour, I commit myself 

   to take one step on my path to you.

I will look upon what is true, and make 

   each hour, each moment, my prayer to you.

I fear those who deny God in their lives;

   their influence draws so many away.   

I will stay away from people who live for pleasure

   and will have nothing to do with those who use others.

I will walk away from all who whisper
   lies and destructive deceits about others;

I will not tolerate anyone

   who believes they have special entitlement.

I will work only with those seeking truth

    and will make them strong in my regard;

those who search with honesty

    will I trust and hear.

Those who deceive themselves or others

    will wait at the side;

day after day I will speak out against

   the liars and hypocrites in our land.

I will avoid all who seek first their pleasure and comfort 

   so their temptations are far from me.

My song is of truth and honour,

   and I sing it to you, O Lord.

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you, and ask your blessing" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a traditional Bible reading I suggest Psalm 101

My song is about loyalty and justice, and I sing it to you, O Lord.

My conduct will be faultless. When will you come to me?

I will live a pure life in my house and will never tolerate evil. 

I hate the actions of those who turn away from God;     

I will have nothing to do with them.

I will not be dishonest and will have no dealings with evil. 

I will get rid of anyone who whispers evil things about someone else; 

I will not tolerate anyone who is proud and arrogant.

I will approve of those who are faithful to God and will let them live in my palace.

Those who are completely honest will be allowed to serve me.

No liar will live in my palace; no hypocrite will remain in my presence.

Day after day I will destroy the wicked in our land;

I will expel all who are evil from the city of the Lord.

1. Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.
2. What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?
3. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
4. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the words MY PROMISE. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock. 

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Cosmic Glory (Psalm 8)

O Lord, our Lord,

    the wonder of you shines in everything we see!

The glory of all creation sings your praises;

    it is sung in the joy of children and babies.

The beauty of your creation rebuffs the half-hearted;

    your loveliness catches the breath of each who doubts you.

When I look at the sky, which you have made, 

   at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places—

what are human beings, that you care for us;

    mere mortals, that you bother with us?

Yet you made us only a little less than the angels;

    you bless us with glory and honour.

You appointed us caretakers over everything you made;

    guardians of your creation:

    the fertile plains and bare mountains, the air and waters, 

    sheep and cattle, birds and insects, and the creatures in the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,

    your greatness is seen in all the world you made for us!

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest Psalm 8, 3-9

When I look at the sky, which you have made,

    at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places—
    what are human beings, that you think of them;
    mere mortals, that you care for them?

Yet you made them inferior only to yourself;
    you crowned them with glory and honour.
You appointed them rulers over everything you made;
    you placed them over all creation:

    sheep and cattle, and the wild animals too;
    the birds and the fish
    and the creatures in the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,

    your greatness is seen in all the world!

1. Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.
2. What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?
3. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
4. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word GLORY. 
5. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock. 

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Citizen of Creation

Reality is incredibly larger, infinitely more exciting, than the flesh and blood vehicle we travel in here. If you read science fiction, the more you read it the more you realize that you and the universe are part of the same thing. 

Science knows still practically nothing about the real nature of matter, energy, dimension, or time; and even less about those remarkable things called life and thought. But whatever the meaning and purpose of this universe, you are a legitimate part of it. 

And since you are part of the all that is, part of its purpose, there is more to you than just this brief speck of existence. You are just a visitor here in this time and this place, a traveller through it.

Gene Roddenberry (creator of Star Trek)

Each of us believes we are

solitary, unique, maybe special, but limited. 

And maybe we are - but my tutored faith in

my loneliness, aloneness, arises from

a logical examination of observable evidence, 

rather than sensitivity to my intuition!

Our sense of our limitations

derives from logic, not fact;

from insecurity, not certainty.

Logic is limited by reliance on observable facts, 

our apparent singularity, our timidity 
and lack of confidence to believe the size of the truth.

Every single atom of our being

comes from the first explosion

of our universe, light and matter created

from chaos and progressively growing in order and purpose.

We think ourselves members of families, towns, even of countries - but I, in fact, am a citizen of creation.

We see ourselves as ordinary, finite and limited;

but, in fact, every atom of my being is extra-

ordinary, eternal, and overflowing with the potential 

of our Creator. We see systems falling apart;

but we must also learn to see surges 

of growth and realisation in our shared awareness.

We are each unlimited and full

of potential unimagined.

We are taught we are flawed and broken;

but our Creator's hand does not make

weak or blemished or cracked.

I am spirit, and a star-born child of Creation.

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest Psalm 8, 3-9

When I look at the sky, which you have made,

    at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places—
    what are human beings, that you think of them;
    mere mortals, that you care for them?

Yet you made them inferior only to yourself;
    you crowned them with glory and honour.
You appointed them rulers over everything you made;
    you placed them over all creation:

    sheep and cattle, and the wild animals too;
    the birds and the fish
    and the creatures in the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,
    your greatness is seen in all the world!

1. Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.
2. What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?
3. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
4. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word GLORY. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock. 

At the end thank God, and return to your day.