the three halos
Sit or assume a yoga position for meditating, and allow yourself to settle down and get comfortable. Do this for five minutes or longer.
It is helpful if you can feel the stress or tension leave your body. Many meditators do this by following their breath or focusing on their body parts from head to toe or toe to head. Take your time. Don't rush into it as though it's a project or a goal to be reached. Enjoy the experience of connecting with your body.
This meditation aims at developing a love and gratitude for Jesus because or what he has done for us. Behind Jesus is God, always acting on our behalf. I like to call this meditation
The Three Halos:
- Jesus in my head
- Jesus in my heart
- Jesus in my hands.
Jesus in my head:
I imagine and think about a scene from the life of Jesus, for example, Jesus crucified and dying on the cross. I bring in all I can to make the scene poignant and memorable. I am on a hilltop. There are three crosses anchored in the earth. I visualize Jesus' mother, Mary, in tears, with his disciple, John, at the foot of his cross. The Roman soldiers stand around waiting for him to die, making sure no one interferes with the death sentence.
Jesus in my heart:
I commiserate with Jesus and try to feel all he felt in dying. I want to not just visualize the scene, but to stir up my senses and feelings. How would I feel if this happened to my brother or sister or loved one? I repeat what Jesus said: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" "Forsaken" does not mean that Jesus despaired. It could mean, "Father, I am doing all that you ask. Why do I suffer so much?"
Jesus in my hands:
I imagine something I can do this day to make the life and suffering of Jesus real for me, and which can improve my life and make me a better person. I always admired his proclamation on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Knowing not what they do implies their ignorance. I can respond by forgiving anyone and anything I encounter this day that appears wrong or inappropriate. Perhaps they don't know what they are doing. And even if they do know, can I still forgive them?
All this I do is for my growth and benefit and for others. Nothing I do is in a vacuum.
It is helpful if you can feel the stress or tension leave your body. Many meditators do this by following their breath or focusing on their body parts from head to toe or toe to head. Take your time. Don't rush into it as though it's a project or a goal to be reached. Enjoy the experience of connecting with your body.
This meditation aims at developing a love and gratitude for Jesus because or what he has done for us. Behind Jesus is God, always acting on our behalf. I like to call this meditation
The Three Halos:
- Jesus in my head
- Jesus in my heart
- Jesus in my hands.
Jesus in my head:
I imagine and think about a scene from the life of Jesus, for example, Jesus crucified and dying on the cross. I bring in all I can to make the scene poignant and memorable. I am on a hilltop. There are three crosses anchored in the earth. I visualize Jesus' mother, Mary, in tears, with his disciple, John, at the foot of his cross. The Roman soldiers stand around waiting for him to die, making sure no one interferes with the death sentence.
Jesus in my heart:
I commiserate with Jesus and try to feel all he felt in dying. I want to not just visualize the scene, but to stir up my senses and feelings. How would I feel if this happened to my brother or sister or loved one? I repeat what Jesus said: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" "Forsaken" does not mean that Jesus despaired. It could mean, "Father, I am doing all that you ask. Why do I suffer so much?"
Jesus in my hands:
I imagine something I can do this day to make the life and suffering of Jesus real for me, and which can improve my life and make me a better person. I always admired his proclamation on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Knowing not what they do implies their ignorance. I can respond by forgiving anyone and anything I encounter this day that appears wrong or inappropriate. Perhaps they don't know what they are doing. And even if they do know, can I still forgive them?
All this I do is for my growth and benefit and for others. Nothing I do is in a vacuum.