Meditate
“think deeply or focus one's mind for some time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a relaxation method.”
Oxford Definition
On a recent episode of asweunderstandhim.coffee podcast, we carved out some time to talk about morning meditations. Inspired by the direction found on page 86 of the AA big book and fueled by our desire to move closer to understanding the God of the universe, this ritual (morning meditation) has become a staple of our existence.
The concept is simple; to start the day concentrating on the spiritual. The execution varies based on individual drivers as connection comes in different ways for different people. Daily devotions, music, guided meditation, Bible reading, intense prayer, and simple silence are used in a mix that works for the meditator.
The notion is to let God get in our heads before we do.
Our lives are filled with much noise and many demands. The world is in motion as we open our eyes. Who needs attention? What financial moves have to happen? What decisions are necessary? What is the current state of the state? What is on my calendar? Where am I going? What do I want to do versus what do I need to do?
We can choose to live on this hamster wheel, or we can choose to stop the trundle for a short period and reflect, deeply reflect, on peace and purpose.
We found that starting our day in purposeful thought pays dividends beyond our expectations.
Specific answers to life’s choices may not unfold clearly before us, but a core direction develops as a base that delivers a contrasting calmness that carries us through the day.
Admittedly, this is a difficult discipline to acquire, though it is a habit worth forming. It may take many days of uncomfortable going-through-the-motions before it begins to click. Some say it takes 30 days to form a habit; in our experience, it took longer. It also took a bit before we found a groove that worked for us: the right balance of quiet time, reading, and listening.
The point is to connect with God, who is much bigger and greater than ourselves. The goal is to come to a place where we humble ourselves and place our thoughts and desires behind His will for our lives.
From page 86::
On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all, God gave us brains to use. Our thought life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.
We weren't trying to figure out the whole life thing in a thirty-minute sitting. Instead, we have found that taking time in the early morning hours to consider that we are not the God of the universe and that we are part of a bigger picture that requires our unselfish, honest selves in thought and action. And that it is just the twenty-four hours that lay ahead that matter to us. We leave yesterday’s pains and tomorrow’s worries in His hands.
Further reading from page 86:
In thinking about our day, we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought, or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don’t struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while.
The point of this post is found in the promise that submission to his greatness brings comfort through the chaos that is life.
We pray that we continue to seek His will for our lives, foregoing our selfish desires.
We can't say that every day delivers bliss after our meditation time. But we can say that a sense of peace and serenity follows us on the days we invest in morning meditations.
May you find comfort on your journey,
Thoughts and ideas for this blog post were taken and built upon from asweunderstandhim.coffee podcast #10 “Meditation Time - page 86” The podcast dropped on 6/4/2023. Click here to hear the podcast.
Photo by Afonso Coutinho on Unsplash
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Alcoholics Anonymous and AA are registered trademarks of Alcoholics World Service. Inc. References to AA, the 12 steps, and 12 traditions does not mean that AA has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication nor that AA agrees with the views expressed herein. This publication is intended to support personal growth and should not be considered a substitute for healthcare professionals' advice. The author’s advice and viewpoints are their own.
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