Meditation for Thursday 2nd December 2021
Whenever we come to meditation we should always approach everything with a ‘beginner’s mind’, that open, attentive attitude that acknowledges that we don’t have it all figured out. When our attitude is one of openness it is easier to make the most of life, noticing it, appreciating it, understanding it, learning how to cause happiness instead of misery and hopefully becoming a master in the art of living life to the full.
Our goal is to live life and to live it fully, to be fully human and fully alive! Meditation has the capacity to awaken us to life as it is rather than to stay in a dream world of what we think we should be. It is this appreciation of reality that is perhaps the greatest gift we receive from meditation.
I have a friend, a Catholic priest who told me that the spiritual highlight of his day is his one-hour walk each morning. During this time he walks mindfully recollecting all his thoughts about existential things. Mindful walking is a bit of a lost art in the suburb where I live as so many people walk with coffee in one hand and buds in their ears relaying the sorry state of the world. It’s a good adjunct to our daily meditation practice!
I find it a useful practice to constantly examine what changes I need to make in my life. I have to ask the question how many of these changes would truly result in more happiness for me but just as importantly for others. Meditation practiced regularly and complimented with mindful acts, such as mindful walking can bring clarity of mind to the task of examining our life and importantly in dropping some of those goals we once thought were important.
Now let’s meditate in a way in which you are most comfortable with the intention of not only meditating for our benefit but for the benefit of others.
MEDITATION
Checkout the zoom program available through the Carmelite Centre at www.thecarmelitecentremelbourne.org
On Friday February 16th I will lead a zoom discussion about the writings of Paul Harris focusing on his book “Christian Meditation- Contemplative Prayer for a New Generation”