Meditation: A Dialogue with God What would I value the most for myself? Sense of wonder, Intelligence, Loving attitude, Inner presence?

Where is God? Where is what I value the most? Sense of wonder Intelligence Loving disposition We are accustomed to see God as a deep-seated belief. The spiritual concept is having the experience of God. The meditation as a dialogue consists of searching at a deep level of our own being, rather than assuming that God is only an external, distant presence. Inner presence

Meditation as a Dialogue Dialogue with my own “inner being” • I need to be present. • I focus my attention on my inner center. • I see my inner light n silence. • I connect with my deep consciousness.

Discursive Meditation Exercise I look within to explore my own being Three Steps: 1 Invocation 2 Waiting 3 Response

1. Invocation I see two aspects of myself in this step: I, as the meditator My higher consciousness I seek to adopt three attitudes: Humility Humility: Recognizing our actual dimension and our own limitations Reverence: Sense of awe before the transcendent reality, which lies beyond sensorial perceptions; the mystery of the unknown Opening: Acceptance of what it’s possible and yet unknown. Reverence Opening

What is the Invocation? Facing the inner consciousness Addressing the creative power of the universe Expressing my experience, hopes, and doubts The invocation is a moment of heightened awareness to see our own life from a wider perspective. Stating which thoughts and feelings I want to understand

In the Invocation, we take a look at our highest: Our ideal, our luminous aspect, the divinity within.

How do we invoke? We begin the Invocation using short, deliberate, and repeated sentences. We address the Divine Mother of the Universe, the creative aspect within. We raise an issue such as our search for meaning, our need for self-knowledge or fulfillment. We may also raise the need to understand a current situation, or to have peace and clarity of mind for making a major decision.

Invocation: Useful Tips 1. Use a repetitive approach, remembering that you are before the Divine Presence. 2. Make an honest and simple statement, with no justifications or desire to display intellectual skills. 3. Opening to the unknown, ask the Divine Mother of the Universe for clarity of mind; guidance on a decision; courage and strength; or help to be fair and consistent with your inner values. Example of an Invocation: Divine Mother, Help me to explore my inner space, to remember what gives meaning to my life, my life’s mission. I spend a great deal of time immersed in issues that occupy all my attention. At this moment I want to feel united to you, to your clarifying light. Your light will help me see with clarity my options and to decide with wisdom and freedom. Give me strength to be consistent with my spiritual vocation.

THE CREATIVE POWER OF THE UNIVERSE ALSO RESIDES WITHIN ME.

2. Waiting Period Time for quieting our thoughts to listen to the voice of our deeper consciousness A silent and watchful waiting, without expectations A moment of silence to activate our own creative power.

CONTEMPLATIVE SILENCE: FOCUSING ON THE INNER LANDSCAPE

Waiting is expectant silence The fisherman throws his line to the depth of the lake and then waits in silence. Likewise, we look deliberately at the depth of our mind, in silence. The fisherman is not worried about the size of the fish he’ll catch; how the fish will be cooked, who will be invited for dinner. He waits with attention and respect. Waiting is expectant silence

How to Wait? • In watchful silence • Without images • Without conflicting thoughts • Just being • Quietly being just myself

Waiting is standing at the threshold of the Unknown The invocation opens a space of awareness. However, during the Waiting we do not try to fill that space with suppositions, beliefs, or judgments. As we wait, we let our inner silence become fertile ground for creativity. Waiting is standing at the threshold of the Unknown

Waiting is opening a creative space within. In the Discursive Meditation, Waiting opens a space of creativity in our mind. Our awareness is placed in the Here-Now.

3. The Response Echo from the Depth Heightened Awareness The Response of the Dialogue Meditation puts in words our intuitive perception. Calm, Clear Vision

How to Respond? When responding, we adopt the voice of our deeper consciousness. That is the voice of the Divine Mother. We express meaning using few words. Here we need courage to express what we are feeling, what is emerging from our intuition, to overcome our habitual feelings and apprehensions. The Response is the time to also express our own creativity and ability to imagine without judging. We repeat what is meaningful and relevant, what comes from intuition.

The Response is closed with the word “Peace” Example of Response: My dear child, I welcome you in my heart, now and forever. You are a part of me and I am your heart. I have given you freedom to choose your path and the strength you need to follow it. You have successfully transcended the illusion of separation and overcome many obstacles in this transitory life. Keep paying attention to your concerns with a renewed intention to be always in my presence, as you do in this moment. This will give you wisdom to make good decisions and the strength you need to be consistent. The Response is closed with the word “Peace”

The Discursive Meditation Exercise Summary The Discursive Meditation Exercise Invocation Expression of our highest aspiration Waiting Expectant silence It is suggested to ask for one or two volunteers to practice an exercise in which one person can do a short invocation out loud and then, after a brief waiting period, the response. The practice will help to overcome the participants’ fear of trying something unfamiliar and to use their own imagination. Although the Discursive Meditation is not a difficult exercise, it does require more courage, intelligence and imagination than what is required by a simpler self-suggestion exercise. Also, the vocalization may prove more difficult than than of a meditation based on mantra repetition. Therefore, for effectively learning the Discursive Meditation exercise, it is necessary to be willing to undertake spiritual work, as well as to have individual guidance and help available. Response Our intuitive perception

Meditation and the Meaning of Life Next: Meditation and the Meaning of Life