Theme “Meditation”
The Gifts of the Magi: A Guided Meditation
The Gospel of Matthew tells us the magi brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn Jesus. Gold represented Christ’s kingship, his sovereignty; frankincense represented his divinity; myrrh represented his humanity, his mortality.
Let us consider how these gifts have manifested in our own lives over the past year – taking them in
A guided meditation on ways to well-being: connect, be active, take notice, learn, give.
(The New Economics Foundation created The Five Ways to Well-being in 2008 – as a set of evidence-based actions that promote well-being in everyday life. These are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Learn and Develop, and Give.)
Breathing in, I connect. Breathing out, I am aware of my connections. Breathing in, I am aware of
Meditational prayer
Let us take time for a meditational prayer.
Just to sit quietly and focus on being in this chapel.
Let all other thoughts subside.
Let them go to the back of the mind.
And in the silence of this chapel let our thoughts focus on our inner
Meditation
Metre: 11.10.11.10 Tune: Noel Nouvelet
Gentle whispers hover; lead me into prayer;
Within sweet silence, I feel more aware.
Solace and calm surround my very soul;
Pay heed to the quiet; may I be made whole?
Fears and worries linger; where to find release
From the uncertain; harmony and peace
Will soothe my spirit—-bring tranquillity;
I
Loving kindness, a meditation
Focus on your breathing, just noticing the soft rising and falling of your belly, or the breath as it comes in at your nostrils. Now be aware of yourself, and cultivate loving kindness towards yourself [pause]. Now extend loving kindness to someone you love [pause]. Now extend loving kindness to your particular group of friends
You are loved, a meditation
Focus on your breathing, just noticing the soft rising and falling of your belly, or the breath as it comes in at your nostrils. Now be aware of your body – this bag of bones and water that carries you around. This body full of experience – joys and sorrows. This body with the capacity
A man of peace
This originally appeared in The Inquirer, Issue 8028
https://www.inquirer.org.uk/pages/
On a freezing-cold day some 20 years ago I stood well wrapped in winter gear amongst followers at Plum Village gathered for the morning walking meditation. Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) suddenly appeared beside me, clad in brown robes, so small in height I thought for a moment