Meditation as a Spiritual Practice

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Meditation as a Spiritual Practice

PRACTICE

52 Weeks of Spiritual Practice
By Deborah Williams

The purpose of the 52 Principles is to develop a partnership, a connection with God. Connecting with God is why we are here; the soul’s desire. To be in communication with the Creator is ideally the most fulfilling life, our best life. The intent of the 52 Principles is God-realization through daily practice. Practice the principles with frequency and find God-consciousness through your own efforts. With practice, you will begin to encounter your experiences in a spiritual context as you begin to practice and master spiritual principles. This week’s spiritual principle is Meditation.

Meditation is the art of listening and tuning in to the inner voice that enriches spiritual growth. Meditation is contacting, the Higher Self, through the soul; the field of pure potentiality. The root word “medi” means to heal. The previous principle’s (kindness, compassion, humility, responsibility, love, etc.), involve interacting with others, but meditation is between you, the soul, and God. Meditation is a relaxed, conscious and disciplined effort to still the mind/body. Ideally, build a meditation practice, 30 minutes in the morning (meeting the day) and 30 minutes in the evening (leaving the day).

Meditation is the purest level of awareness; expanded awareness. A morning meditation is like meeting the day before it begins, which means you are present for the day before it is born. You are not required to do anything, your presence is enough. Meet the day with a feeling of peace, calm, love, creativity, harmony; the qualities of the Divine. Meeting the day provides an opportunity to bring awareness; a blessing on the day before it begins and the prospect of carrying peace throughout the day.

Meditation has a number of benefits. Stillness prepares the mind to receive direction from God, produces calmness, relaxation, sense of peace, increased coping skills, enhanced immune system, and an awakened consciousness. Meditation is an evolutionary process and eventually it will become as natural as breathing. Meditation is a practice but also a way of being with yourself and with life. Meditation is stillness and not the same as (golf, gardening, knitting, jogging, etc.).  The feeling of peace from the practice of meditation will flow into daily activities providing a sense of timelessness.

Spiritual unfolding is as unique as a thumb print and specific to your sacred Self. There are numerous meditation techniques, but what works is keeping it as simple as possible; be patience, consistent, and be disciplined. A two year old does not struggle to become three; the process of development unfolds in its own time. Develop a meditation process that feels natural and fluid. How long does it take to connect with a Higher Power; God? It takes as long as it takes. Meditation is like repair work; it takes time. Be still while He works. Stillness is the presence of God. The goal is to end with a feeling of newness, peace, harmony, love, and wholeness. Do not judge the sessions good or bad. Sometimes awareness is present and sometimes not.

Establish a clean and uncluttered space for meditating. To relax the body, take a few minutes and speak to every part of the body by telling each part to relax. Listen to thoughts and let them flow, think “peace be still” (Mark 4:39). Start your meditation with a Psalm, sacred scripture, or hymn to settle the mind. Pray/Chant in preparation (5 minutes) and meditate (20 minutes). Attempt to meditate at the same time and place daily. Meditate as if every time is the first time; keep it fresh with no expectations. Show up with an open heart/mind. When you find what works, be open to improvements. Meditation adapts to your level of awareness, and as awareness increases, your practice adapts to your expanded awareness. Settle the mind into silence. When we wait, the work is being done; know and be thankful. God is as close as our breath – “in the midst of you” (Haggai 2:5). Be still and know (Psalm 46:10) that God is sovereign and waits and welcomes us into His secret place (Psalm 91). Wait in silence and pray that your eyes are opened to Divine guidance.

Self-Assessment:

What is the soul?

What is your process of connecting to your Higher Self?
How often do you connect with your Higher Self? Are their difficulties?
What physical, mental, and spiritual benefits have you experienced from practicing meditation?
In what way has your meditation practice changed your life on a deeper level?

Meditation Practices:

Our life begins and ends with the breath. The breath comes in and goes out almost a billion times in an average lifetime. The breath is a movement of energy. Master it. Be aware of the movement of breath, then regulate the breathing and follow the breath during meditation. Just before the in-breath turns into the out-breath, notice the small gap. Be present in the gap and discover the true nature of silence.

Affirmations:

“Fulfill Your highest thought in me and renew my mind” (Romans 12:2).

“The Holy Spirit goes before me and shows me the way – Infinite Spirit shows me what to do.”
“You abide in me now, from the center, to the circumference of my being.”
“What I am seeking is also seeking me,”
“What is the next step to take?”
“Let Your will be done in me” (Luke 11:2).
“My answers are revealed in the stillness of my Spirit.”
“Abide in me as I abide in You” (John 15:4).

The purpose of life is to develop the divinity that is in us. With frequency, meditation is finding a point of contact. The mind is a magnet to the soul and the soul is a connector to the Source; God. The soul is the Higher Self, a step-down power of the Source; God. Know that your Higher Self (the soul) is working all things for your good and the good of all concerned (Romans 8:28); and you cannot do better than all.

How do you awaken to your inherently divine consciousness? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Many Blessings