Tuesday, May 12, 2009

I will sing to the Lord all my life,
make music to my God while I live.
May my thoughts be pleasing to him.
I find my joy in the Lord.
Psalm 104: 33-34

Breathing Meditation

Find a comfortable sitting position and become aware of your breathing. It should not be forced, but gentle and relaxed. Don't try to control or alter it, just breathe. In and out. In and out.

Focus on the passage of air into and out of your nostrils.

Eventually your thoughts will wander. That is to be expected, and there is no reason to be upset or discouraged. When you become aware of other thoughts, gently bring your focus back to your breath. In and out.

Begin with a five minute period. Without rushing, move to the next section of prayer.

Blessing for the Wonder of Wind
Father of Ten Thousand Gifts,
we are grateful for the invisible wonder of wind,
for that playful spirit of nature
that drives kites heavenward,
carries away balloons on invisible fingers
and twirls windmills joyfully.

We rejoice in this marvel, the wind,
bearer of seeds, waver of flags and banners,
carrier of clouds and sea-spray
and messenger of God: as holy wind, the Holy Spirit.
We rejoice in that Holy Spirit
who surrounded Mount Sinai with wind, smoke, and fire
when holy Moses met You face to face.

For the breeze which held the voice of God
that called Elijah from his cave of hiding,
for the wind upon which rode the tongues of fire
that came upon Jesus’ friends after His ascension to You,
we are grateful.

For all these gifts of the wind,
the dance master of yellow leaves
and bringer of spring rains,
for the wind itself which we feel upon our bodies,
we are thankful;
and we praise You, Spirit Supreme,
by enjoying on this day
Your holy creature and sacred singing sign,
the wind.

Blessed are You, Lord our God,
who delights us with the wonder of wind.

An Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Additional instructions and resources for Breathing Meditation can be found on my other blog, Resources for Daily Prayer.