This week's meditation asked me to imagine someone dead whom I love. I chose my mom. She was my best friend before she died almost 8 years ago. Then, I was asked to begin a communication through light and thoughts with my mom as I imagined her in front of me.
You know how when you hear the truth it just "feels" right? And, If something doesn't sound right to you then you will start to feel uncomfortable?
Well, that is how I felt during this meditation. So, I had to stop prematurely.
With what I know to be true, I could not do this meditation. It was basically a prayer. I felt as if I was praying to my mother. I made a covenant to pray to my God only. It is not that I don't ever talk to my mom still, I do... I just don't do it in this reverent form of meditation.
I love the quote from Yogi Bhajan when he said said,
"Prayer is when you talk to God,
meditation is when God talks to you."
When I pray it will only be to my God.
In my meditations, I will look for enlightenment
from my God only.
Meditation has fostered an increase in my psychological or spiritual wellness because I follow this belief. I do receive enlightenment regularly from my God. I will not do anything to offend my God and ruin that.
I respect your belief here, and can somewhat relate. If you feel uncomfortable, stop. Why push yourself in a negative way when this is supposed to be helpful. I think that the spiritual beliefs shape how to meditate. In your case, you only pray to your God. Do you feel as though your mom is an angle, watching over you? Im curious, I have heard a lot of opinions from friends and family on that subject. I enjoy reading your blogs, honesty, I believe really shapes human flourishing we have been studying these past few weeks.
Tera, I think if a person feels uncomfortable during an exercise they should stop, so I respect your decision. I find it intriguing how all of us are viewing these exercises so differently; it just shows us how different we are :-). I'm wondering if you could do this exercise, but invision Jesus? If you could, then you could be meditating and praying at the same time...
As always--great blog posts.I enjoyed both the content and the images you selected for inclusion in this weeks blog post.
Unlike you I was able to finish the exercise. I found it rather enjoyable. Perhaps this is largely because my grandfather (who was my focus in the exercise) is still very much alive and well. So it was not a reflection of what was, but more a reflection of what is. I can see how meditating to the thought of your mother would pose a challenge--especially because it would unearth a number of memories which could produce some really strong emotions.
The exercise did seem as though it idolized a person, almost made them saint like which was a bit strange. I support your decision in modifying the exercise by praying directly to God instead. Prayer is a very powerful component to meditation--I am happy you were able to experience it.
This week's meditation asked me to imagine someone dead whom I love. I chose my mom. She was my best friend before she died almost 8 years ago. Then, I was asked to begin a communication through light and thoughts with my mom as I imagined her in front of me.
You know how when you hear the truth it just "feels" right? And, If something doesn't sound right to you then you will start to feel uncomfortable? 
Tera,
ReplyDeleteI respect your belief here, and can somewhat relate. If you feel uncomfortable, stop. Why push yourself in a negative way when this is supposed to be helpful. I think that the spiritual beliefs shape how to meditate. In your case, you only pray to your God. Do you feel as though your mom is an angle, watching over you? Im curious, I have heard a lot of opinions from friends and family on that subject. I enjoy reading your blogs, honesty, I believe really shapes human flourishing we have been studying these past few weeks.
-Shanna
Tera,
ReplyDeleteI think if a person feels uncomfortable during an exercise they should stop, so I respect your decision. I find it intriguing how all of us are viewing these exercises so differently; it just shows us how different we are :-). I'm wondering if you could do this exercise, but invision Jesus? If you could, then you could be meditating and praying at the same time...
-Natasja
Tera,
ReplyDeleteAs always--great blog posts.I enjoyed both the content and the images you selected for inclusion in this weeks blog post.
Unlike you I was able to finish the exercise. I found it rather enjoyable. Perhaps this is largely because my grandfather (who was my focus in the exercise) is still very much alive and well. So it was not a reflection of what was, but more a reflection of what is. I can see how meditating to the thought of your mother would pose a challenge--especially because it would unearth a number of memories which could produce some really strong emotions.
The exercise did seem as though it idolized a person, almost made them saint like which was a bit strange. I support your decision in modifying the exercise by praying directly to God instead. Prayer is a very powerful component to meditation--I am happy you were able to experience it.
Jeremy