Peace Within Meditation Series May, 2003

During three consecutive Wednesdays in May, a group of 10 adults gathered in the St. Joan of Arc church to practice the art of getting quiet and “being present” through meditation. Guided by spiritual teacher Lisa Venable, the group set out to explore the many components of finding peace within our daily lives and to experience what it feels like to “just be.” Each of us had a different reason for wanting to be there, yet the common thread was we were all ready to slow down our lives and make time for God within.

Our foray into “being present” began with a simple exercise. We were each given two raisins to observe and taste mindfully. After holding and smelling our raisins, we were asked to note the texture of the raisins in our hands and on our tongue. We began to chew them slowly, savoring the taste as they moved from side to side and finally, down our throats. Many of us noticed the incredible texture and taste of the raisins and it reminded us how quickly we usually eat our meals - one gulp after another. It also presented us with a challenge for the future - to eat our meals one bite at a time and to reflect with gratitude for the meal before us.

Another exercise included mindful walking - placing one foot in front of the other, deliberately and slowly. As we stepped with purpose and thoughtfulness, we were asked to observe the room around us and focus on one particular aspect - really seeing the colors and textures present. I was amazed at the number of items I noticed in the church for the first time, despite my many mornings at Family Mass.

These exercises were interspersed with meditation. We began meditation by sitting straight, shutting our eyes and breathing slowly. By putting our hand on our stomach, we became aware of our breath as it flowed in and out of our diaphragm. We concentrated on our breathing, trying to gently push any thoughts of the day out of our mind.

With Lisa’s guidance, we were reminded that there is no “right” way to meditate and so there is no need to judge or evaluate what we are doing. We were encouraged to let any creeping thoughts “float away” and move our concentration back to our breath. With quiet sounds of crashing waves in the background, we were asked to relax our bodies and envision meeting God on the ocean shore and filling with God’s love. For many minutes we remained quiet until Lisa brought us back to the group with the gentle ringing of a bell.

After each meditative session, we were encouraged to share our experience with the group. Most of us found the experiences incredibly peaceful and relaxing. And most of us admitted the challenge of setting thoughts aside and not letting them creep back in. We also found the group experience very supportive and affirming - some even noted feeling immediately relaxed when entering the group setting.

Yet meditation was only part of the experience. Another part was exploring how our attitudes and behaviors can help or hinder us as we strive to touch the peace and God within. We discussed how “peace” really begins within us. What we choose to believe creates our reality. We can cultivate and perpetuate attitudes and behaviors that cause stress in our lives or we can embrace the ways of peace: gratitude and appreciation for what we have, forgiving others, patience, being non-judgmental, living in the moment and not worrying about the past or future. We have the power to choose how we respond to events or people and that choice affects everything.

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Jeanne Morales has been active at St. Joans for the past year. She loves working in her garden, attending the St. Joan of Arc Bible Study and sneaking off for camping trips when she has time. Jeanne can be reached at moralesj@Macalester.edu.

Some practical ways to start those changes are in traffic. Instead of complaining about the red lights, we can see them as a place to take a deep breath and just do nothing for two minutes. Or we can choose the way of peace and let a car merge in instead of thinking how they don’t “deserve” it. Once we move away from judging and “punishing,” we will find that we are calmer, more compassionate towards others and happier in our lives.

This meditation series taught me that through meditation and changing some attitudes, I can make the step of “falling into God.” And with that letting go, I can experience the ultimate joy of experiencing God’s love and recognizing the abundance all around me.