Meditation Monday
Join Our 30-Day Pilgrimage Into Joy!
Day 29: We Manifest Joy By Keeping our Hearts Open to One Another
On this Meditation Monday, I invite you to stop, sit, and listen to your heart.
Here in the U.S., we are heading into a holiday week and the celebration of Independence Day. Many of us will gather together with friends and family. Most assuredly, there will be fun and laughter and plenty of good food. But there may be tension as well, unresolved hurts, or tempestuous feelings that rise to the surface.
Before you head out for any such gathering, take a few moments to quiet yourself.
Sit. Take a few deep breaths and allow your body to relax, your thoughts to settle and to slow, to linger. Let ease wash over you. Breathe in this moment and connect with your heart.
Sit. Take a few deep breaths and allow your body to relax, your thoughts to settle and to slow, to linger. Let ease wash over you. Breathe in this moment and connect with your heart.
Does someone come to mind whose presence creates feelings of tension or unease in you when you are together? If so, the following meditation may help you let go of those feelings and welcome him or her into your heart.
The open heart is a forgiving heart.
It does not shut its portals in anger or resentment.
It allows other people the opportunity to make mistakes,
embraces them in their wrong-doing,
and releases them to grow from their experience.
Such forgiveness creates freedom for everyone involved.*
Can you release this person and allow them to be who they are?
Can you release yourself, as well?
What does your heart say?
~~~~~
(*Excerpted from Awakening the Spirit Within by Jan (Forrest) Lundy.
Image courtesy of www.henrickart.com)
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10 comments:
As I've gotten older, I've made my holiday celebrations smaller, keeping them more intimate. I definitely find joy in these get togethers, immersed in good talk, good food and cheer with like-minded friends and family. Maya Angelou said something along the lines that she doesn't invite people into her home who bring a certain negativity to the peace she's built there, and I agree, choosing to be with people who respect each other and the peace of a home. Great holiday food for thought here, Jan!
I really needed to read this post today. That has been one struggle that I have been battling with lately. Letting my oldest child be who she is seems hard for me. Today I can open my heart so that forgiveness can fill it up. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for this post, Jan! My favorite line, that I will now carry with me (in addition to the great meditation you shared with us) is "Let ease wash over you." What a vision. What a perfect statement for bringing us back to the moment and allowing our heart to open. Thank you, again!
Joanne, I certainly appreciate what you share here. It is a sign of spiritual maturity that we can set healthy boundaries for ourselves, especially in the way you describe. Holiday gatherings bring up so much in people and it is wise to remember to embrace what we can and let go of the rest. Your family get-togethers sound lovely and inviting.
Jill,
I am heartened to hear that this post will support you in your journey. Parenting provides the greatest challenges of all, especially for keeping our hearts open, acceptance, and letting go with love. Bless YOUR heart and your positive intentions for healing!
Jodi,
Like you, I do resonate with the notion of ease. It just sounds and feels wonderful, like we are gliding into, sliding into, our true nature...Ah, yes...
Hi Jan!
I am blessed to be able to go home for the holidays. In the past my mom and I had a one sided relationship and there was a great deal of pain in my heart, but I have learned to let go and she has learned to be my mom again. No one is perfect, so I am grateful for the change.
Happy Monday :)
I liked reading those words today - and I needed to follow them in terms of directing love and forgiveness towards myself. So thaks for that reminder.
I know it's Tuesday but I meditated all day Monday about this post.
I have to surrender my mind over to my heart in order for forgiveness and openness to happen. My tension and past hurts are locked up in my memories. This week my heart is open to my family and all the love I can pour into them. I am going to build new memories with them to replace the old more hurtful ones.
Great post Jan, much healing and JOY have come from your writings and the writings of all these with us. Happy 4th! JG
How is it that I don't read any blogs for a few days, get inspired to write something only to know it's already being said elsewhere?
I love your heart!
Synchronicity. Gotta love it!
Tabitha
I am so glad to hear of this healing between you and your mom. Mothers are so important, esp. as we get older. They can actually become our heartfelt friends. Enjoy your mom and your holiday!
Healing Stones,
Thank you for sharing this perspective. May we ALL embrace ourselves and demonstrate compassion. We are most deserving of it. Caring for our spirits just as we would for others...
Julie,
I love the idea of building new memories with our loved ones. Of dropping down from the head into the heart and letting go of all the baggage our ego urges us to hang onto. Enjoy the holiday with your beloveds!
Mermaid,
It sounds like you posted on something similar? Okay, I am bopping over now to take a peek. Well, if we are kindred souls (as it seems we are) then we should not be surprised by consistent holy synchronicity. I love your heart too!
I woke up this morning thinking about this meditation and the holiday week-end ahead. I still feel so much hurt way down deep, though I have smoothed things over on the surface. The only answer is forgiveness so I can feel the joy that co-exists with the sadness.
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