Post by Susan Peabody on Jul 17, 2023 15:35:29 GMT -8
Finding God & Your Higher Power
Susan Peabody
Introduction
The following meditation is designed to help you with your re-parenting. In the first part of the meditation you will meet your inner child. After you have met, you will be encouraged to comfort your inner child and set limits with him or her. You will also make a commitment to always be there for your inner child. Being your own parent is important. This is how you avoid becoming dependent on others in an unhealthy way. The second part of this meditation is designed to introduce you to your Higher Power. Many of you will shy away from this part of the meditation, however, note the sentiments of H. Norman Wright, in Making Peace With the Past.
“For some of us finding parental approval is quite impossible, because that parent is deceased or is unable to give us this gift. But the fact remains that we never outgrow our need for an accepting parent. We even parent ourselves some-times to help us fulfill this need. But is that enough? No! However, realizing that God [Higher Power] is our heavenly father [parent], the kind of father a father should be, can give us deep emotional satisfaction... Remembering who we are in the sight of God can, in time, become a stronger force overshadowing the negative memories from the past.” [italics mine]
While the following meditation can be read (as is) to a single individual or to a mixed group of both men and women, I encourage you, when at all possible, to personalize it. For instance, if you are doing the meditation by yourself, you can give your inner child a name; or you can say “little girl” or “little boy” instead of “inner child.” You can also take just one component of the meditation and focus on that, ignoring the parts that make you feel uncomfortable; or you can add words spontaneously to the meditation as you read it—any words that feel right to you at the time.
Meditation
Record the following meditations and then play them back to yourself.
Get in a comfortable position. Relax and focus on your breathing.... Spend a few moments becoming mindful of your breathing.... Be aware of the air as you breathe it in and as you breath it out.... Notice the difference in the air as it comes in and as it comes out... Focus on that difference....
Now... imagine that you're walking down a long corridor. Walk down slowly as I count down from six. Six....(5 seconds). Five.... (5 seconds). Four... (5 seconds), etc. As you are walking, look toward the end of the corridor. You will see a force field of light. Look at the light. It is warm and inviting. Walk toward the light.
Now, walk through the light and go back through time to a street where you lived as a child. Walk down the street until you get to one of the houses or apartments you grew up in. Look at this place. Notice the roof and the color. Notice the windows and doors. See a small child come out of the front door. This is your inner child. Look at how your child is dressed. Look at the expression on your child's face.
Walk over to your child. Tell your child that you are from the future and that you know what she (or he) has been through ─ all the suffering and all the loneliness. Tell your child that you have come to be a loving parent. Give your child a big hug. If your child wants to, let him or her cry in your arms and let out all of the pain. Continue comforting your child. Keep telling your child over and over again that everything is going to be all right.
Now tell your child just how wonderful he or she is. Say something like “My you are a wonderful child. I have never seen such a lovely child. I think you are just great.” Keep saying this until your child gets used to it and begins to really respond. Make note of your child's response. If you do not get a positive response, make a commitment to come back and tell your child again and again just how wonderful he or she is.
As you are standing there with your child he or she notices another child playing off in the distance. Your child asks permission to go play with this other child. Watch as your little boy or girl wanders off to play. After a moment your child returns and asks if this other child can come home to live with you. Gently tell your child that this is not possible. Encourage your child to make friends with this little boy or girl, but explain that relationships do not move this quickly. Watch your child become insistent. Continue to say “no” to your child. Explain that you are the parent and that the decision is up to you. Be kind... but stand your ground. Watch as your child accepts your decision.
It is time to go home to where you now live as an adult. Ask your inner child to go with you. (If your child will not go with you, then promise to come back and visit everyday.) If your child does agree to go with you, take him or her by the hand and start walking away from the house or apartment you grew up in. As you walk away, see your mom and dad (or the people who raised you) come out on the porch. Wave goodbye to them. Look over your shoulder as you walk away and see them getting smaller and smaller until they are completely gone.
Now, continue walking down the road holding the hand of your child. After awhile, stop to look at your child. Watch your child start to fade. Then let your child step into your body. Now you are one, and need never be separated again.
Now, continue walking down the road. After awhile you find yourself in a lovely garden. Look at the garden. It is quiet and peaceful. There are trees and flowers. Over to the right is a sparkling brook. Suddenly you see a figure approaching from the distance. You are not sure whether the figure is a man or woman—all you see is a look of kindness and wisdom on his or her face.
After a few moments, the figure says to you “I am your Higher Power. I have taken the form of a human being so that you will not be frightened. I have come to tell you that I love you and that I am sorry for all the pain you have suffered in your life. I want you to know that everything is going to be all right.
Most of all I want you to know just how wonderful you are. You are as wonderful as anyone I know, and it makes me sad that you do not know this. Please believe me when I say that you are wonderful. I also want you to know that nothing you do will ever take away the love and respect I have for you. My love is unconditional.”
As you listen to these words try to absorb them. They may seem contrary to what you have always believed. You may feel slightly uncomfortable. If you believe what your Higher Power is telling you, then savor the feeling of being loved and cherished. You are hungry for this feeling. It feels good. You ask your Higher Power to stay with you always to remind you of your self-worth. Your Higher Power agrees to do this.
Now, look up into the sky. See the white clouds form the number three... Feel your stomach and your arms... See the three become a two... Feel the life in your hands, your face, your whole body... See the two become a one.