MEDITATION
Discipline
Control
Concentration
Focus
Putting aside the eastern forms of meditation where a person is encouraged
to empty ones mind or sit in the lotus position repeating mantras. Let us look
at ways we are more accustomed to in our culture. If you have ever sat and
worried over bills that were past due. Or been consumed (obsessed) with the
thoughts of where a boyfriend or girlfriend might be, or where that next fix was going to come from then you have practiced forms of meditation.
Teachings that have helped me over time are:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:7-9
Meditate.Live purely. Be quiet.Do your work with mastery.Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds!Shine
"Buddha"The Enlightened One:
When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS.
Mahatma Gandhi
10.26.2007
10.22.2007
Visual Imagery in Meditation
Most of my meditation centers on trying to abate my own rigid concept of ego by focussing on G-d's 'everything-ness,' as in, "When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing."
As I wrote on the blog finallyfree.org, in a post entitled "Nothing But Him":
This whole idea comes from the verse in Deutoronmy (4:35), "There is nothing else besides Him" and its Chasidic explanations.
Anyway, an image I use to work on ingraining this concept is one that I found in a book of meditations by Gutman Locks called "There is One." Here it is:
As I wrote on the blog finallyfree.org, in a post entitled "Nothing But Him":
There's nothing but G-d. He is the only true existence. We exist only in Him.
Do you know when it is that I start to want a drink?
When I start to feel like my own existence.
This whole idea comes from the verse in Deutoronmy (4:35), "There is nothing else besides Him" and its Chasidic explanations.
Anyway, an image I use to work on ingraining this concept is one that I found in a book of meditations by Gutman Locks called "There is One." Here it is:
Consider: When the water lies still and the sunlight rests upon it, a single globe will reflect from the water. But when the wind stirs the water, making waves, the sun's light will bounce off the water, forming a thousand reflections. Each reflection seems to be saying, "I am an individual reflection. I am here in my own location, and I am my own shape, while you, over there, are another reflection, not in the same place as I am, and not the same size as I am." And so it is with each of the myriad of reflections, each attesting to its individuality and its separateness. When these reflections are viewed upon the water, there appears to the mind to be a thousand lights, but when the eye is lifted up from the agitated water onto the smooth sky, it is seen that there is but one. A single sun is laying its glorious light upon an agitated body of water. Even after the light touches the water, it still remains a single light. It is only because the water is agitated that the reflection seems to break up and form into many lights, but in actuality, there is always just a single light. And so it is with us. Although we appear with good reason to be many, we are in fact, one.
10.17.2007
Images in Meditation - Jody K
I’ve been pondering October’s question as the month has rolled along, full of its obligations and opportunities. I have finally found myself in a place where I must slow down, as the month’s activity has caught up with me and I’ve found my various physical conditions imposing their limitations on my life. So, for the past two days, as I’ve come around to accepting that I can’t do all that I’d like to do (notice who wants to be doing what?), I’ve thought about the question in earnest, and perhaps because of these current circumstances, I’ve recognized the many ways that I meditate, each with a slightly different focus, and most with some sort of image to go along with them.
First, I must say that the primary focus of my meditation is to find or fulfill my higher power’s will for me. I’ve been taught that prayer is speaking to god, and meditation is listening for the answer. In my own willful way, I don’t always like the answer, and sometimes, it takes additional prayer and meditation to accept those answers.
That being said, I had much difficulty in my early recovery with the subject of prayer and meditation. Though I’d investigated many different religious and philosophic ideologies when I was in active addiction, I realize in clarity of mind that it was an intellectual rather than spiritual endeavor. I felt spiritually numb for what seemed to be a very long time, having the bare minimum faith in the success of others in recovery to hold onto and keep me sober. After a week of detox and nearly four weeks of rehab, I was sitting in my hospital room, fearful of my upcoming release and the loss of the comfort zone I’d found there. In my head rang the words, “You can make a tree your higher power. It doesn’t matter what it is. Just find one!” I looked out my window and could see nothing but the brick façade of the building across from me. That was not cutting it. But, just as I was about to leave the window, I craned my neck and saw, peeking just above the corner of the building, a tall, majestic tree on the hillside. I could only see it’s very top, but I could see that it was bending in the wind. Bending and not breaking. This was not my higher power, but it was a manifestation of my higher power, just as I was, and its endurance in the wind touched something deep within me. I could talk and listen to the tree, and it might have something to reveal to me.
I had another issue to deal with, one I’d used as justification for my addiction, and what I feel requires lengthy treatment here. I have several chronic pain issues, and it wasn’t difficult at all for me to excuse my reliance on pain killers and any other substitute as necessary for quality of life. As an alcoholic/drug addict in full acceptance of my powerlessness, I came to believe that this manner of living was not quality living but merely existence. I knew that if my higher power meant for me to live clean and sober, there must be a way to live with these conditions, and if I were to do that, I knew the answer lay in the steps. The first clue I found was in the third step prayer:
By focusing on my pain, I was living in the bondage of self. I was living in my difficulties rather than finding the freedom to help my fellow. I knew, also, in the wording of this prayer, that if I ask for the strength to deal with my pain, I could help others and that the asking itself was not selfish. So, I began to investigate meditation methods geared towards pain relief. After much searching, I devised my own methods, which could be described as a hybrid of chakra meditation and Lamaze (yes, those relaxation methods taught to women in labor!).
I began with a prayer to be “relieved of the bondage of self” and then began the deep breathing I learned years ago while pregnant with my children. In chakra meditation, once one “clears” the chakras up to the “third eye,” there is an envisioning process whereby that which is the spirit/soul/self of an individual is projected outward and viewed as a ball of light. By relaxing and seeing my true self as separate from my physical self, I could separate from the pain. This didn’t mean that the pain left me, as of course, I had to live in the physical body—though sometimes, I do notice a lessening, especially with stress-related pain such as headaches. What it did mean was that I could differentiate between that which is me, the me that accepts direction from a higher power, the me that can, if I’m open and faithful and willing, operate in a godlike state, and the me that is purely biological, mortal and very fallible. In differentiating, in separating the two, I can observe my physical pain without identifying with it. So, in this case, my focus for meditation is the true me, minus all the parts that lend themselves to malfunction. Sometimes, I have to assign my many character defects to that physical self, especially when those defects spring from my ego and self-will!
There are times, like today, that I’m not able to disconnect from the pain. I must accept my limitations on those days, and over a long period of time, I have come to see this as not an unanswered prayer but a gift, as the pain I feel helps me to have compassion for others in pain. This acceptance did not come overnight, nor is it always an easy thing to maintain, but I work at it, as my usefulness in all circumstances depends upon it.
Very often, I am praying for god’s will in another’s life. The way I’m most comfortable doing this, the way I feel most effective in my prayer for them is to focus on them and see them enveloped in healing light. I try to avoid specific prayers. I do not pretend to know god’s will for myself, let alone others. By envisioning them in this light, I feel that I am drawing not physical healing to them but spiritual healing, regardless of the outcome of their troubles.
There are days when all seems right with the world, and beyond a prayer for those still sick and suffering, my prayers focus on gratitude. This is when the images of my meditation return to those manifestations of god I find in nature. Whether it be the garden growing in my yard, the birds singing in the trees, the puppy playing at my feet or the beautiful children growing up and growing strong in my home, I focus on them and at times, nearly burst with the gratitude for living, for being part of it all.
In my higher power’s world, everything has a place and a purpose, and by accepting these manifestations of god, I can recognize my part in it, and in recognizing it, I can allow myself to be guided along to maximum usefulness.
First, I must say that the primary focus of my meditation is to find or fulfill my higher power’s will for me. I’ve been taught that prayer is speaking to god, and meditation is listening for the answer. In my own willful way, I don’t always like the answer, and sometimes, it takes additional prayer and meditation to accept those answers.
That being said, I had much difficulty in my early recovery with the subject of prayer and meditation. Though I’d investigated many different religious and philosophic ideologies when I was in active addiction, I realize in clarity of mind that it was an intellectual rather than spiritual endeavor. I felt spiritually numb for what seemed to be a very long time, having the bare minimum faith in the success of others in recovery to hold onto and keep me sober. After a week of detox and nearly four weeks of rehab, I was sitting in my hospital room, fearful of my upcoming release and the loss of the comfort zone I’d found there. In my head rang the words, “You can make a tree your higher power. It doesn’t matter what it is. Just find one!” I looked out my window and could see nothing but the brick façade of the building across from me. That was not cutting it. But, just as I was about to leave the window, I craned my neck and saw, peeking just above the corner of the building, a tall, majestic tree on the hillside. I could only see it’s very top, but I could see that it was bending in the wind. Bending and not breaking. This was not my higher power, but it was a manifestation of my higher power, just as I was, and its endurance in the wind touched something deep within me. I could talk and listen to the tree, and it might have something to reveal to me.
I had another issue to deal with, one I’d used as justification for my addiction, and what I feel requires lengthy treatment here. I have several chronic pain issues, and it wasn’t difficult at all for me to excuse my reliance on pain killers and any other substitute as necessary for quality of life. As an alcoholic/drug addict in full acceptance of my powerlessness, I came to believe that this manner of living was not quality living but merely existence. I knew that if my higher power meant for me to live clean and sober, there must be a way to live with these conditions, and if I were to do that, I knew the answer lay in the steps. The first clue I found was in the third step prayer:
“God, I offer myself to Thee--to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life. May I do Thy will always!” (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 63)
By focusing on my pain, I was living in the bondage of self. I was living in my difficulties rather than finding the freedom to help my fellow. I knew, also, in the wording of this prayer, that if I ask for the strength to deal with my pain, I could help others and that the asking itself was not selfish. So, I began to investigate meditation methods geared towards pain relief. After much searching, I devised my own methods, which could be described as a hybrid of chakra meditation and Lamaze (yes, those relaxation methods taught to women in labor!).
I began with a prayer to be “relieved of the bondage of self” and then began the deep breathing I learned years ago while pregnant with my children. In chakra meditation, once one “clears” the chakras up to the “third eye,” there is an envisioning process whereby that which is the spirit/soul/self of an individual is projected outward and viewed as a ball of light. By relaxing and seeing my true self as separate from my physical self, I could separate from the pain. This didn’t mean that the pain left me, as of course, I had to live in the physical body—though sometimes, I do notice a lessening, especially with stress-related pain such as headaches. What it did mean was that I could differentiate between that which is me, the me that accepts direction from a higher power, the me that can, if I’m open and faithful and willing, operate in a godlike state, and the me that is purely biological, mortal and very fallible. In differentiating, in separating the two, I can observe my physical pain without identifying with it. So, in this case, my focus for meditation is the true me, minus all the parts that lend themselves to malfunction. Sometimes, I have to assign my many character defects to that physical self, especially when those defects spring from my ego and self-will!
There are times, like today, that I’m not able to disconnect from the pain. I must accept my limitations on those days, and over a long period of time, I have come to see this as not an unanswered prayer but a gift, as the pain I feel helps me to have compassion for others in pain. This acceptance did not come overnight, nor is it always an easy thing to maintain, but I work at it, as my usefulness in all circumstances depends upon it.
Very often, I am praying for god’s will in another’s life. The way I’m most comfortable doing this, the way I feel most effective in my prayer for them is to focus on them and see them enveloped in healing light. I try to avoid specific prayers. I do not pretend to know god’s will for myself, let alone others. By envisioning them in this light, I feel that I am drawing not physical healing to them but spiritual healing, regardless of the outcome of their troubles.
There are days when all seems right with the world, and beyond a prayer for those still sick and suffering, my prayers focus on gratitude. This is when the images of my meditation return to those manifestations of god I find in nature. Whether it be the garden growing in my yard, the birds singing in the trees, the puppy playing at my feet or the beautiful children growing up and growing strong in my home, I focus on them and at times, nearly burst with the gratitude for living, for being part of it all.
In my higher power’s world, everything has a place and a purpose, and by accepting these manifestations of god, I can recognize my part in it, and in recognizing it, I can allow myself to be guided along to maximum usefulness.
10.12.2007
Creative images during meditation
My favorite form of meditation is guided meditation using images, whether internal or external images, as these facilitate focusing my mind to become centered on God and to be still. It is in this journey toward stillness that I experience peace and oneness with Creator's Spirit.
Guided meditation is a time when I intentionally let go of the outside world and all that interferes with experiencing the still voice of Creator. The use of images is part of the process that facilitates my mind to take a journey of centering with my soul and becoming one with God's Spirit that flows through me. This is a creative way to guide my mind toward experiencing a conscious oneness with God.
I use all of my senses to support this practice. I focus my mind on my breathing and anytime my mind wanders I bring my mind back to my breath, breathing in and breathing out. If I am having a hard time mentally focusing on internal images I will light a candle and focus my attention on the flame of the candle, as this image represents the light of Christ, the light of the world, and other affirming truths of my faith. I also use scented incense as external support, as our sense of smell tells our mind that all is well and supports a relaxing experience.
I use many images, depending on the intention of the meditative experience that I have determined before I begin. I begin by sitting comfortably, breathing in and breathing out as I focus on my breathing. I say a prayer inviting God's Spirit to direct and guide this time. I then repeat words (external images) that supports my mind to focus on God; such as love, Jesus, light, wholeness, Creator, etc. As I am breathing I focus on images in my mind's eye, as my eyes are closed, and these images are part of my journey, where I want to go during this time to be with God.
Depending on how much time I have determines how many images I will use in my journey. It can range from using a few images to being very detailed. Do I want to go to the beach, or do I want to experience being with Jesus in a place that is not of this world? Depending on what I want to experience determines the images I use. Sometimes I may use sunlight as I lay on a beach with the water flowing over my feet as my mind looks deeply into the sky or the ocean. I focus on these images until I am relaxed and Jesus comes into the journey. That is a brief journey, and for me guided meditation is just that, it is a journey.
I can experience healing guided meditations, where I lay down, pray, and imagine Holy Angels surrounding me, with their hands towards my body sending forth, channeling God's healing energy toward my body. I focus on my breathing, the details of the images that come into my mind's eye and experience being still and receiving God's Love.
This can be as creative as I want it to be and as willing as I am to trust God's Spirit to guide me to a place where I can be still.
Sometimes I will use elementary forms of hypnosis, using an elevator to count down into an altered state of consciousness, and imaging myself entering a world where Jesus is waiting to walk with me. There can be a dirt path lined with flowers, a rainbow, birds in the air, a stream of water flowing beside the path we are on, as we walk toward a tree to rest under. Once we are under the tree we lean back and relax, as I enjoy the peace and quiet of being alone with Jesus.
This experience of using images can be as creative as you want it to be, and without limitation, as long as the intention is set forth before you begin. There are many creative images that one can use to 'think' about the things of God and I typically experience God through His creation, so many images that I use will include those things that have been created by God.
Many blessings to you as you journey to experience consciousness with Creator, the Spirit of the Universe. It all starts with a conscious effort of being still and directing our minds toward God and for some of us that includes the use of images that reflect God.
Carol Ann Preston
www.roomforhealing.com
Guided meditation is a time when I intentionally let go of the outside world and all that interferes with experiencing the still voice of Creator. The use of images is part of the process that facilitates my mind to take a journey of centering with my soul and becoming one with God's Spirit that flows through me. This is a creative way to guide my mind toward experiencing a conscious oneness with God.
I use all of my senses to support this practice. I focus my mind on my breathing and anytime my mind wanders I bring my mind back to my breath, breathing in and breathing out. If I am having a hard time mentally focusing on internal images I will light a candle and focus my attention on the flame of the candle, as this image represents the light of Christ, the light of the world, and other affirming truths of my faith. I also use scented incense as external support, as our sense of smell tells our mind that all is well and supports a relaxing experience.
I use many images, depending on the intention of the meditative experience that I have determined before I begin. I begin by sitting comfortably, breathing in and breathing out as I focus on my breathing. I say a prayer inviting God's Spirit to direct and guide this time. I then repeat words (external images) that supports my mind to focus on God; such as love, Jesus, light, wholeness, Creator, etc. As I am breathing I focus on images in my mind's eye, as my eyes are closed, and these images are part of my journey, where I want to go during this time to be with God.
Depending on how much time I have determines how many images I will use in my journey. It can range from using a few images to being very detailed. Do I want to go to the beach, or do I want to experience being with Jesus in a place that is not of this world? Depending on what I want to experience determines the images I use. Sometimes I may use sunlight as I lay on a beach with the water flowing over my feet as my mind looks deeply into the sky or the ocean. I focus on these images until I am relaxed and Jesus comes into the journey. That is a brief journey, and for me guided meditation is just that, it is a journey.
I can experience healing guided meditations, where I lay down, pray, and imagine Holy Angels surrounding me, with their hands towards my body sending forth, channeling God's healing energy toward my body. I focus on my breathing, the details of the images that come into my mind's eye and experience being still and receiving God's Love.
This can be as creative as I want it to be and as willing as I am to trust God's Spirit to guide me to a place where I can be still.
Sometimes I will use elementary forms of hypnosis, using an elevator to count down into an altered state of consciousness, and imaging myself entering a world where Jesus is waiting to walk with me. There can be a dirt path lined with flowers, a rainbow, birds in the air, a stream of water flowing beside the path we are on, as we walk toward a tree to rest under. Once we are under the tree we lean back and relax, as I enjoy the peace and quiet of being alone with Jesus.
This experience of using images can be as creative as you want it to be, and without limitation, as long as the intention is set forth before you begin. There are many creative images that one can use to 'think' about the things of God and I typically experience God through His creation, so many images that I use will include those things that have been created by God.
Many blessings to you as you journey to experience consciousness with Creator, the Spirit of the Universe. It all starts with a conscious effort of being still and directing our minds toward God and for some of us that includes the use of images that reflect God.
Carol Ann Preston
www.roomforhealing.com
10.07.2007
Meditation and the Visioning Process
Yes, there are specific images I see consistently in meditation. Notice I did not say “images I use.” I do not look outside myself for the images when I meditate. My spiritual practice is to gently go within and as my mind becomes more still I watch the words, feelings and images that come to me in the meditation.
God has an idea of Its life as you. One of the ways we find out God’s idea about us is to meditate and watch the images that will consistently go through our minds. Those images are part of our unique, authentic expression of the divine that has Its being as you and me.
There is a process called Visioning that is highly useful to find out the images spirit has for you. Google these words “Michael Beckwith and visioning”. You will find a write up of how to begin the visioning process. Visioning is simply meditation guided by a few questions while in the meditative state. For example, while in meditation I may ask myself,
“What is God’s idea of my recovery right now?”
“What do I need to release to serve God/recovery better right now?”
“What do I need to become to serve God/sobriety better right now?
After each question journal any words, ideas and images that come before you move on to the next question. Formulate your visioning questions before you go into meditation.
As you practice visioning. You will get more intuitive about what transpires. I have found that I consistently go to a certain place in meditation and there are sounds and ideas that come to me that lead me to higher ground living on a daily basis. From visioning while in meditation I have found my authentic voice and created all aspects of Conscious Contact from that process. As a result, I have found God’s idea for my life. I know why I am here.
Living in God’s intention is rich and rewarding. Meditation gets us there. Don’t miss the journey.
Gail DeWitt www.conscious-contact.com
God has an idea of Its life as you. One of the ways we find out God’s idea about us is to meditate and watch the images that will consistently go through our minds. Those images are part of our unique, authentic expression of the divine that has Its being as you and me.
There is a process called Visioning that is highly useful to find out the images spirit has for you. Google these words “Michael Beckwith and visioning”. You will find a write up of how to begin the visioning process. Visioning is simply meditation guided by a few questions while in the meditative state. For example, while in meditation I may ask myself,
“What is God’s idea of my recovery right now?”
“What do I need to release to serve God/recovery better right now?”
“What do I need to become to serve God/sobriety better right now?
After each question journal any words, ideas and images that come before you move on to the next question. Formulate your visioning questions before you go into meditation.
As you practice visioning. You will get more intuitive about what transpires. I have found that I consistently go to a certain place in meditation and there are sounds and ideas that come to me that lead me to higher ground living on a daily basis. From visioning while in meditation I have found my authentic voice and created all aspects of Conscious Contact from that process. As a result, I have found God’s idea for my life. I know why I am here.
Living in God’s intention is rich and rewarding. Meditation gets us there. Don’t miss the journey.
Gail DeWitt www.conscious-contact.com
10.02.2007
Response By Dick B.
October Question
The 12&12 uses the "sunlit beach" as a mental image to aid in meditation, do you have specific images that are used in your meditations?
No. I wouldn’t say that I “meditate” at all, if we are using A.A. senses-knowledge language. I study the Word a great deal. That is meditation or study or pondering as suggested in the dictionary and in Psalm 119. I pray a great deal by way of thanksgiving and praise, asking for forgiveness, asking for healing, peace, strength, and asking what God would have me do, say, and act to His glory and service. This I do in the name of Jesus Christ. See Psalm 103, John, Philippians 4, James, 1 John. I memorize and repeat a great many verses in my mind and speak about them frequently so that I will apply them in my life and keep my mind stayed on God. See Romans 12:1-2. And I operate the manifestations of the gift of the Holy Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14. In dictionary parlance, all of this is “meditating.” But it is neither Oxford Group meditation, nor what Bill finally distilled into the Big Book language. I believe, however, from my research, that it very much approximates the “prayer and meditation” of early A.A. in Akron and that of Dr. Bob and Anne. They confessed Christ. They studied the Bible and particular verses. They quoted the Bible frequently when asked questions about the program and life. Dr. Bob prayed about three times each day, and the way he did so is covered in his biography. Dr. Bob and Anne both observed Quiet Time—which meant Bible study, prayer, seeking God’s guidance, and using helpful aids such as The Runner’s Bible, The Upper Room, etc.
http://dickb.com/index.shtml
http://dickb-blog.com
http://aa-history.com
http://freedomranchmaui.org
Got the new book?: The Conversion of Bill W.
The 12&12 uses the "sunlit beach" as a mental image to aid in meditation, do you have specific images that are used in your meditations?
No. I wouldn’t say that I “meditate” at all, if we are using A.A. senses-knowledge language. I study the Word a great deal. That is meditation or study or pondering as suggested in the dictionary and in Psalm 119. I pray a great deal by way of thanksgiving and praise, asking for forgiveness, asking for healing, peace, strength, and asking what God would have me do, say, and act to His glory and service. This I do in the name of Jesus Christ. See Psalm 103, John, Philippians 4, James, 1 John. I memorize and repeat a great many verses in my mind and speak about them frequently so that I will apply them in my life and keep my mind stayed on God. See Romans 12:1-2. And I operate the manifestations of the gift of the Holy Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14. In dictionary parlance, all of this is “meditating.” But it is neither Oxford Group meditation, nor what Bill finally distilled into the Big Book language. I believe, however, from my research, that it very much approximates the “prayer and meditation” of early A.A. in Akron and that of Dr. Bob and Anne. They confessed Christ. They studied the Bible and particular verses. They quoted the Bible frequently when asked questions about the program and life. Dr. Bob prayed about three times each day, and the way he did so is covered in his biography. Dr. Bob and Anne both observed Quiet Time—which meant Bible study, prayer, seeking God’s guidance, and using helpful aids such as The Runner’s Bible, The Upper Room, etc.
http://dickb.com/index.shtml
http://dickb-blog.com
http://aa-history.com
http://freedomranchmaui.org
Got the new book?: The Conversion of Bill W.
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