Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Daily Advent Reflection: Dec. 2

Keeping Awake

Let me respectfully remind you:
life and death are of extreme importance.

Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is easily lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken, awaken, awaken.
Take heed, do not squander your life.

—Buddhist Gatha

God we do not want to squander our lives. Help us to wake up. And to be ready to welcome you with open arms where ever you show up this week.


One way to awaken is through meditation. The website from the younger folks involved in the World Community for Christian Mediation is a good place to start...



And here's a bit more on breathing from Tom Harpur, who wrote the book, Prayer: The Hidden Fire. (Kelowna, BC: Northstone Publishing, 1998)...

"Catch your breath and it will free you. Breathing properly is perhaps the most basic factor in meditation. You can base an entire period of meditation just on your breathing. In fact, some styles of meditation center their entire approach on breathing alone. The breathing pattern of most of us is too rapid and shallow. Anytime you find yourself struggling with meditation, check your breathing. Slow down the pace, breathe deeply, and relax.

Simple Breathing Meditation Exercise

  1. Sit quietly in an upright position ...
    Close your eyes ...
    Become aware of this body-self that is you ...
    Focus on your breath ...
    Notice the pattern of your breathing ...
    as it moves in ... as it moves out...
    Notice how fast you are breathing ...
    Notice whether you are breathing deeply
    or with shallow breaths ...
    Notice where your body moves when you breathe ...
    Is the movement in your chest...
    or in your belly? ...
  2. Watch your breathing for a moment ...
    You may find that just attending to your breath
    will allow you to relax ...
    As you focus and breathe ...
    let your breaths become slower ...
    and deeper ...
    Let your body relax ...
    and move to a sense of peace ...
  3. Notice where your body is sore or tense ...
    Imagine the breath moving to that place
    and gently massaging the tightened knots
    of tension ... or fear ... or anger ...
    Simply allow the breath to open up your body ...
    so that your life energy can flow freely...
    As you do so, you are preparing yourself for prayer ...
  4. As you focus on your breathing ...
    you may notice thoughts coming and going ...
    Just notice the thoughts ...
    then let them go ...
    You may want to imagine them as clouds
    floating across the horizon ...
    or as leaves on a stream being carried away ...
    Just as your lungs generate breath ...
    your mind generates thoughts ...
    As thoughts arise ...
    gently return your focus to your breath ...
    Notice the space that opens inside you as you relax ...
    as you gradually come into your sacred centre ...

This reflection by Tom Harpur on breathing was found at stillpresence.com. It offers a good written introduction to Christian meditation and centering prayer from some of the leading teachers on the subject, including John Main (his teachings started the World Community for Christian Meditation) and Cynthia Bourgeault, an Episcopal priest, hermit, writer, and teacher of the contemplative path.

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