Step Eleven "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."
Prayer and meditation are our principal means of conscious contact with God.
From: "It Works If You Work It" (Emotions Anonymous) pg 194:
"This step looks simple, but it can be extremely tough for those who aren't in the habit of prayer or meditation. Here we must develop our listening skills. We become able to discern our Higher Power's will for us before we blunder into the old self-destructive behaviors that caused us so much pain.
In a busy world, it can be difficult to allow ourselves to remain still. Our tendency is to fill our days with the pursuits of work, rest, and pleasure. But we find that if we can carve out only 10 or 15 minutes a day for reflection and communion with our Higher Power, no matter how plain our words or how divided our attention, we begin to feel better about ourselves. Our relationships with other people will improve, and we'll intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us."
Simple suggestions for the same book on meditation/reflection/contemplation on our Higher Power and our Program:
Find a comfortable place to use consistently. NO interruptions. A soothing environment. Quiet. Peaceful. Serene as possible. Select a time that works for you and stick with it (morning is often recommended) Sit upright. Clear your mind, take a few smooth relaxing breathes. Relax the tension in your muscles. Close your eyes if this helps you to relax. Use a spiritual passage to meditation on..like the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi Concentrate on the words individually.Feel yourself relax into the shape and pace of the words, feel their meaning sink in deeply....bring your mind back to the spiritual passage if your mind wanders....just relax and seek quiet and peace.....
Being with 2 or so minutes, work up to 10 minutes or even 20.....once a day and maybe later twice a day if the practice assists you.
From: "It Works If You Work It" (Emotions Anonymous) pg 64: "Meditation is the ultimate dream vacation and gourmet feast rolled into one. It is ultimately satisfying because it allows us to train our minds and bodies to be free of the impulses we've struggled with all our lives. No calories consumed, no money required. All you have to do is sit still in one spot and work on focusing your thoughts."
aunitedway said
Apr 27, 2007
HI, ((ML)) I AM working my steps via my workbook. I AM not one to reply often to thisStepBoard. The first few times i did...I was "corrected," i guess is better way to put it, lol. K, I was Reminded... to stick to the steps and this is not off or any other kind of topics board. Soooooo....i just read here and then go visit the alanon topics board , read there and often reply there too. HERE~ usually just do alot of reading here. then turn to my workbooks. And depend on blessings of guidance from my sponsor. But Today, I felt compelled. lol.
((((ML))))) THANK YOU for your post of Step 11.
It helps sooo much and would help even more.... to see others share the different ways to pray and meditate. Its not always about God. sometimes its a way for... to help me get my self re-grounded. re-centering my "inner me" person. I agree HP/God has sooooo much to do with this. But I have to say each time i meditate... sometimes its just the peace of mind from the silence that fills me. AND~ I know that is my HP.lol.
I choose to begin and make a part of my "daily health routine," to meditate.. to pray to my HP/God as I understand Him.
i agree we are all seeking to achieve basically the same means...peace and inner serenity. but getting there can sometimes be dificult with out direction.
i have an area i have made "my lil' space." placed special affects, candles, a meditation pillow and some lovley meditation music there just for me. AND soft lighting to me is important too. This place, is special. Because it is Mine. its my place to take My Breather, lol. to center and to regain balance. To turn over to Hp/God all those things I am holding onto that I do not need to.
i agree starting with just a few minutes of breathing technique ... building that up is wonderful idea. start slow, start easy. baby steps is just fine. Having others choices and ideas , beautiful suggestions. Are a wonderful blessing. ty ((ML))
Prayer and meditation are our principal means of conscious contact with God.
From: "It Works If You Work It" (Emotions Anonymous) pg 194:
"This step looks simple, but it can be extremely tough for those who aren't in the habit of prayer or meditation. Here we must develop our listening skills. We become able to discern our Higher Power's will for us before we blunder into the old self-destructive behaviors that caused us so much pain.
In a busy world, it can be difficult to allow ourselves to remain still. Our tendency is to fill our days with the pursuits of work, rest, and pleasure. But we find that if we can carve out only 10 or 15 minutes a day for reflection and communion with our Higher Power, no matter how plain our words or how divided our attention, we begin to feel better about ourselves. Our relationships with other people will improve, and we'll intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us."
Simple suggestions for the same book on meditation/reflection/contemplation on our Higher Power and our Program:
Find a comfortable place to use consistently. NO interruptions. A soothing environment. Quiet. Peaceful. Serene as possible.
Select a time that works for you and stick with it (morning is often recommended)
Sit upright.
Clear your mind, take a few smooth relaxing breathes.
Relax the tension in your muscles. Close your eyes if this helps you to relax.
Use a spiritual passage to meditation on..like the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Concentrate on the words individually.Feel yourself relax into the shape and pace of the words, feel their meaning sink in deeply....bring your mind back to the spiritual passage if your mind wanders....just relax and seek quiet and peace.....
Being with 2 or so minutes, work up to 10 minutes or even 20.....once a day and maybe later twice a day if the practice assists you.
From: "It Works If You Work It" (Emotions Anonymous) pg 64:
"Meditation is the ultimate dream vacation and gourmet feast rolled into one. It is ultimately satisfying because it allows us to train our minds and bodies to be free of the impulses we've struggled with all our lives. No calories consumed, no money required. All you have to do is sit still in one spot and work on focusing your thoughts."
((((ML))))) THANK YOU for your post of Step 11.
It helps sooo much and would help even more.... to see others share
the different ways to pray and meditate. Its not always about God. sometimes its a way for... to help me get my self re-grounded.
re-centering my "inner me" person.
I agree HP/God has sooooo much to do with this. But I have to say each time i meditate... sometimes its just the peace of mind from the silence that fills me. AND~
I choose to begin and make a part of my "daily health routine," to meditate.. to pray to my HP/God as I understand Him.
i agree we are all seeking to achieve basically the same means...peace and inner serenity. but getting there can sometimes be dificult with out direction.
i have an area i have made "my lil' space." placed special affects, candles, a meditation pillow and some lovley meditation music there just for me. AND soft lighting to me is important too. This place, is special. Because it is Mine. its my place to take My Breather, lol. to center and to regain balance. To turn over to Hp/
i agree starting with just a few minutes of breathing technique ... building that up is wonderful idea. start slow, start easy. baby steps is just fine.
Having others choices and ideas , beautiful suggestions. Are a wonderful blessing. ty ((ML))
Keep coming back.