Meditation: The big secret

It is easy: follow the Way God has shown us - or die.
And where is this Way? Is it in a distant place? 
Is it in a recently discovered archeological site? 
Is it too difficult for a human being to understand?

   The message of life is printed on your heart and 
   in your soul. God built it into your genetic coding.

Is this Way hidden in the heavens waiting for us? 
Is it hidden in books written in strange languages?
Is it the work of a lifetime to discover just a glimpse? 
Find the Way as you pray and read and live your life.

   The message of life is printed on your heart and 
   in your soul, built into your thoughts and intuitions 
   and the very cycle of your life.

Choose each day to follow the Way God has shown.

I have today set before you life and good - or

death and evil if your heart turns away to worship your possessions and your own strength.

   Love God. 
   Love each other one. 
   Live the life God gave you. Use your ears to 
   hear it and eyes to see it and mind to know it. 

   Then you will have life and know life.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".

The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try Deuteronomy 30:10-14 from today's Mass ...

Moses said to the people: "If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutesthat are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul. 

"For this command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you. It is not up in the sky, that you should say, 'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?' Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?' 

No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out."

Re-read the passage or the meditation - maybe read it slowly aloud.

Is there a word or phrase that 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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word LOVE or GOD.

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).

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: Nothing worthwhile is easy, 2 - Struggle to Grow

"You will look, but not perceive" 
Isaiah 6:9 and Mark 4:12

God did not make us for an easy life.
We are born in pain and limited by our senses, 
subject to scarcity and disease and age,
made to learn most effectively by hard experience!

God did not make us for an easy life;
allowed us a mind able to think, 
but a mind almost entirely subject to our 
appetites and feelings and fears and hormones.

God did not make us for an easy life.
Born separate from our God: we are in time -  
God is not. We live a mainly physical life guided 
by parables we are not ready to understand.

God did not make us for an easy life, but gave us 
prayer and meditation and miracles and community, 
saints and moments of insight hinting at answers
so we will watch for the glow on the horizon.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".

The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation, try Mark 4: 9-13

    After the parable he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” 

When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that

‘they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’”  (see yesterday's Meditation on Isaiah 6: 9-13)

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?

Re-read the passage or the meditation - maybe read it slowly aloud.

Is there a word or phrase that 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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word STRUGGLE or PERSIST.

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).

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.

Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 44

Meditation for Thursday 24 March
... from the readings of the day:

This day shall be a memorial feast for you: a pilgrimage to the Lord.
Exodus 12:14


WASHING FEET WITH PETER
I came to bring you to Life. You think you are alive, but you walk in dreams. That is not the Life you were born for. You need to wake up.

You cannot come to Life unless you can sacrifice each of the things in yourself you think define you. You will Live only when you can take into your heart your crosses, your shames and poverties.

You must be humble; let go your pride and wash feet with me. You think your little list defines who you are, and why you are loved. God knows you are so much more. Let go your rank and stature; they are unheeded shackles, worn so long you think they are part of you! Kneel with me.

I will show you how to be born again, how to be resurrected into a full new Life. 

You must be your Father's little child - not rapt in your own glory beginning to think you are all-powerful, knowing all. I am on my knees washing your feet, my friends, so that you stay my friends and do not become my worshippers, pushing me away - no longer one of you. We are brothers and sisters: what I do, you can do - you must do - to gain Life.

I submit to whips and thorns, pain and shame so that I do not become the angry man leading a revolution of spears and swords and breaking. I go tonight to those who hate me and show them, and you, that I love them. I forgive them. They too are my brothers and sisters. 

My cross, my death, will set me free and give me Life - will show you how to free yourself too, and how to wake the world. 

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".

The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation, try this from one of today's readings, John 13:1-8 ... 

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered him,
“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.

Is there a word or phrase that 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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word LIGHT or SONG.

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).

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.

Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 35

Meditation for Tuesday 15 March
... from the readings of the day:

With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained. 

Numbers 21:4-5

- Who are you? 
- I am.

Caught up in the busy-ness of life, we give in 
to our little angers, resentments and fears. We are 
worn out - and we complain about the pointlessness 
of it all. In that state we do not reach out to eternity.
We will die angry, resentful, afraid - and alone.

- When are you? 
- I am. Now. Always.

Jesus lived and died for us - so he could show us that we will live forever. Not I WAS. Not I WILL-BE.
Taking God's name and telling us that there is only 
an eternal now - always, present, infinite, now.
And inviting us to join him in that eternal moment.

- Where are you? 
- I am. Here. Now. Always.

- I am the bread of life. See what gives me life:
  eat that - drink that - breathe that - live that.
  Then you will see me. Your Father sent me to 
  show you my Way, to hear my Truth, and then to 
  have Life, in me, forever in the moment.

- What are you? 
- I am. Here. Now. Always. We are One. 
  Come.

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".

The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation, try this from one of today's readings, John 8:21-28

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“I am going away and you will look for me,
but you will die in your sin.
Where I am going you cannot come.” 

So the Jews said,
“He is not going to kill himself, is he,
because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?” 

He said to them, “You belong to what is below,
I belong to what is above.
You belong to this world,
but I do not belong to this world.
That is why I told you that you will die in your sins.
For if you do not believe that I AM,
you will die in your sins.” 

So they said to him, “Who are you?” 

Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning.
I have much to say about you in condemnation.
But the one who sent me is true,
and what I heard from him I tell the world.”
They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father.
So Jesus said to them,
“When you lift up the Son of Man,
then you will realize that I AM.”

Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.

Is there a word or phrase that 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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word ONE or JESUS.

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).

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.

Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 22

Meditation for Wednesday 2 March
... from the readings of the day:

what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?
Deuteronomy 4:7

Our God is closer to us than our minds,
moving in our hearts. See. Feel. Share.

The old man is a teacher, sharing his love
of mathematics, but more, his love of life: his 
growing wonder of himself, of the world, 
of his personal growth to being whole.

Our God is closer to us than our minds,
moving in our hearts. Notice. Feel. Share.

The little girl is also a teacher: sharing her joy in being, the wonder of colour and song and new life, the marvel of new words, smiles and loving people: asserting her amazing growth to wholeness.

Our God is closer to us than our minds,
moving in our hearts. Notice. Feel. Share.

The young woman is a mother, sharing her love 
of love and more, her love of life: her growing 
awareness of herself, of goodness, of the world, her 
sudden awed surge of new growth to being whole.

Our God is closer to us than our minds,
moving in our hearts. Notice. Feel. Share.

The child is a boy, sharing his love of moving, his 
joy in life - in shocking people, in learning, his love
of belonging, of surprises, the thrill of risk: of 
each single thing he experiences in becoming whole.

Our God is closer to us than our minds,
moving in our hearts. Notice. Feel. Share.

The old woman is a financial manager, sharing 
her wisdom and her love of life: her growing 
awareness of how God's world should work, and 
her personal journey to being whole.

Our God is closer to us than our minds,
moving in our hearts. Notice. Feel. Share.

Each one of us is a teacher, sharing our love of life,
of living: our growing wonder seeing ourselves in
the world our God has made for us, newly aware
of our own personal growth to being whole.

Our God is closer to us than our minds,
moving in our hearts. Notice. Feel. Share.

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".

The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation, try this from one of today's readings, Deuteronomy 4:9 ...

However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.

Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.

Is there a word of phrase that 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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word LEARN or LISTEN.

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).

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.

Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 14

Meditation for Tuesday 23 February

... from the readings of the day:

Cease doing evil; learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
Isaiah 1:16-17

   Our life is choice: follow our evolved mind,

   or the whispers of our heart.

My mind evolved to survive; chemical thrills 

splurged on triumph, or power, or reproduction

are evolutionary mechanisms of survival.

   Our life is choice: follow our evolved mind,

   or the whispers of our heart.

My heart does not care about survival, knowing

love and compassion and unity of Creation

bring their own rewards - and death is a door. 

   Our life is choice: follow our evolved mind,

   or the whispers of our heart.

In your wisdom, O God, you gave us powerful

survival incentives. In our growing wisdom, may we learn to keep them for survival, and choose life.

   Our life is choice: follow our evolved mind,

   or the whispers of our heart.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".

The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation, try this from one of today's readings, Matthew 23:8-10

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ 

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 

Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 

Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ.

Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.

Is there a word of phrase that 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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word CHRIST.

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).

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.