Be at Peace: Contemplative Meditation (Winter)

BE AT PEACE Adapted from Contemplative Meditation by Fred Darby Kosmon Voice 98 page 16 It is easy to see what "Contemp0lative Meditation" is by contrasting it with "Discursive Meditation". In "discursive meditation" we usually follow a line of thought suggewsted by indicents in the lives of some of the great teachers. We use our knowledge and imagination to co, annstruct scenes leading to implications. Contemplative Meditation is simple, and more efrfective. The mind is held still in the presence of Jehovih as expressed in one His/Her attributes, such as WISDOM, LOVE, POWER, PEACE, TRUTH, CARING. Instead of exerting ourselves to imitate Divine attributes, we brood on the truth of these attributes within us here and now as we are able to receive. Addititional words of life upon which we can meditate are Beauty, Knowledge, Light, Wealth, Freedom, Forgiveness or Understanding. Sit in a comfortable positin, the body relaxed, both feet on the ground. Repeat the word or words selected for meditation gently and slowly, yet often enough to keep the mind from wandering. Work with one word or sentence for several days. Ten to fifteen minutes at a time is sufficient to begin with. Some people may think it is safer to use only such sentences as occur in OAHSPE, but one finds as a matter of experience that many of us, when beginning Contemplative Meditation, are not quite ready to use Oahspean words for the basis of our meditation. We need re-educating out of the familiarity which persuades us that we already know the full meaning of the words and phrases. Meditations have been found that unfamiliar sentences, new to the mind, though based on the same eternal truths are found in sacred books, are a great help. When we sgtrt to meditate truly, we have to work through layers of old consciousnesss that we have gathered from forms of worship we had discarded. Use the word for the Creator which means most to you. Some use EOLIN and someuse Love, but both words find a rich experience. Our attitude is not that we call on the Creator to come to our aid, but that the Creator is everypresent, and in meditation we UNITE. Be still and know that I AM Jehovih within you. I abive in Thy Presence. Eternall Spirit you are Life, Health, and Wisdom. End your meditation with an affirmative prayer wush as: Father/Mother within me, I know I am not alone. I turn to Thee and sing Your praise.