Meditation Monday: Prayer

Kamal (Perfection), 5 Raḥmat (Mercy), 173 BE - Monday, June 27, 2016 about 5:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

Prayer alleviates worry and put every situation or problem in God's hands. Today I had to spend about  $132.00 for a new battery. I purchased the battery from AAA and it came with a six year warranty, which is good in this climate. I have enough in my account to pay for the battery, but that puts me a bit short for the rent due on July 1. 

My Social Security check usually arrives on the third of the month, which will help cover the shortage for the rent. I have about a five or ten day grace period for the rent, so I'll be able to pay the rent by the third. However, this will put me short for either the power bill or the internet bill.  Both, of which, are not  due until the middle of July. 

After realizing I would be short, I said one of the prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah. I feel better now. I am no longer worried because I know the money will arrive when I need it. Prayer works wonders in alleviating worry because it helps focus the mind and soul on a higher power. It also helps the mind figure out how to solve a problem because a prayerful mind is not a stress filled mind. 

Meditation Monday: An Afternoon Nap Meditation

Kamal (Perfection), 6 Jamál (Beauty), 173 BE - Monday, May 2, 2016 about 3:18 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

Inhaling tranquility 

Exhaling stress 

Counting each breath 

I doze off after three 

I remember reading a quote somewhere about sleep being the best meditation. It's the truth because I dozed off this afternoon while I was focusing on my breath. I remember counting to three and the next thing I knew I woke up. My lesson today is make sure you're awake before deciding to meditate or you will go to sleep. 

Meditation Monday: A Blessed Day

Kamal (Perfection), 18 Jalál (Glory), 173 BE - Monday, April 25, 2016 about 8:20 AM Pacific Daylight Time 

It's Monday again. This is the last Monday in April 2016 and today is cloudy, windy, and chilly. I'd say cold, however, that describes how the wind feels on my arms and face. This morning my breakfast consisted of whipped yogurt, pudding, and coffee. I know that isn't a traditional breakfast and that's all right. It's Monday so a traditional breakfast isn't important. 

Today's meditation is a quote by Prince: 

"Every day I feel is a blessing from God. And I consider it a new beginning. Yeah, everything is beautiful." 

Prince is right about blessings from God, new beginnings, and everything being beautiful. When I look out my front window at the clouds I see the beauty they reflect onto Las Vegas. It's a good day. It's a new beginning. I'm blessed.  I wish everyone reading this a Blessed Day. 

Meditation Monday: Meditation Quilt - A Poem

Fidal (Grace), 13 Sharaf (Honor), 172 BE - Tuesday, January 12, 2016 about 9:43 AM Pacific Standard Time

I have a crochet throw
with small spaces between the interconnected threads;
I place this throw over my head
when I meditate.

I close my eyes to pray,
then open them
to meditate;
I count my breath,
I focus on a space
between the treads...
this is my meditation quilt.

Meditation Monday: A Good Start to the Workweek

Kamal (Perfection), 17 Masá’il (Questions), 172 BE - Monday, December 28, 2015 about 8:05 AM Pacific Standard Time

On Monday morning
meditation and coffee
begins the workweek.

A good start to the last week in December 2015 with three days to go until New Year's Day 2016. My morning meditation begins with prayer and then sitting quietly under my meditation blanket. I think I will change that slightly to include reading the scriptures before I start my meditation. If I wait until after I meditate to read the scriptures, I sometimes skip that part because of breakfast. After breakfast I start my day, which means I don't accomplish my scripture reading until later in the day.

Prayer, meditation,
another cup of coffee
hotcakes for breakfast.

Meditation Monday: Daily Meditation

Kamal (Perfection), 13 Qudrat (Power), 172 BE - Monday, November 16, 2015 about 1:52 PM Pacific Standard Time

For the past fifteen days I have managed to meditate everyday. I usually meditate in the morning, but not always. I am participating in a twenty-one day free online meditation experience. I have six days to go and then I have decided how I am going to continue meditating. I know that I will use the my prayer beads and chant God's Most Great Name ninety-five times. I have to decide whether to meditate in the living room or in my bedroom.

Meditate each day
Each day chant God's Most Great Name:
Do I chant at dawn?

If I decide to chant in my bedroom then I need to move the chair. Right now the char sit against the east wall which means I am facing west. I need to face east when I chant the Greatest Name. I think I will get in the bedroom and change the position of the chair either Thursday or Friday. Probably Friday since I am planning to do the laundry on Thursday.

Meditation Monday: Listening to the birds

Kamal (Perfection), 11 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 172 BE - Monday, October 26, 2015 about 8:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Open the front door,
stand there
as you focus on birdsong.

Listen to the choir
of robins and sparrows
as they intone their praise
in the first light of day.

Can you hear
the distant crowing
of a rooster?

Can you hear
the cooing of doves
and pigeons as the join
the sparrows serenade?

Autumn is here
and the birds are thankful
for the cool morning temperatures
we are experiencing
in Las Vegas.

Meditation Monday: Meditation, Prayer, and Writing Poetry

Kamal (Perfection), 16 Mashíyyat (Will), 172 BE - Monday, October 12, 2015 about 3:02 PM Pacific Daylight Time

For the past six or seven days I have attempted to write a sonnet. I begin with a specific theme in mind and attempted to push the theme even thought I could not get beyond the first line. Today I changed my tactics. After beating my head against the proverbial wall, I turned off the computer. I then found one of my prayer books, opened it to a specific prayer, and said the prayer. After saying the prayer (according to the directions) I meditated. After that I was able to begin the poem.

I chose another theme. Instead of writing a sonnet about the holy books (I will keep this theme for another poem) I wrote about my muse. I am using the voice of my muse to write the poem. That is I am writing the poem in the first person with the I being my muse or rather the poet's muse. This approach is working well and I now have two stanzas with two more stanzas to go.

I know better then to attempt to write a poem without a prayer and meditation session before I begin. I also know better then to attempt to force a theme when my muse or my subconsciousness (use whichever word you want) has other ideas. My problem is that I can get so focused on one idea that I forget that sometimes it is better to let the theme of the poem flow naturally.

Meditation Monday: Changing my Method of Mediation

Kamal (Perfection), 15 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Monday, July 27, 2015 about 11:19 am Pacific Daylight Time

I moved into my new apartment in the first week of June. This month, a friend who was moving to a smaller place gave me some furniture. I have also changed the time and method of method. I now meditate in the late afternoon or evening rather then at random intervals throughout the day.

Since I have both a love seat and a couch, I can chose which one I sit on when meditating. Right now I am using the love seat, but this may change when I get a mattress for my bed and move the chair in the bedroom against the west wall because I face east when I meditate.

My Meditation

1. Say a prayer of protection.

2. Chant God's Most Great Name 95 times using prayer beads to count.

3. Sit quietly for several minutes (at least five) with my eyes closed while breathing deeply.

4. Write something in my journal.

5. Say a prayer of gratitude.

Meditation Monday: Counting My Breath versus Counting my Steps on Monday

Kamal (Perfection), 16 Aẓamat (Grandeur), 172 BE - Monday, June 1, 2015 about 6:39 am Pacific Daylight Time

Inhale,
take a deep breath,
count one
as I exhale.

I sit with my eyes closed listening to Las Vegas. Morning noises pass through my ears and flow across my mind. Each is identifiable and therefore ignored by my morning mind. I get up to make coffee and begin my day.

Walk
count each step to the refrigerator,
remove a cold bottle of water
and then count each step to the coffee maker;
pick up the bottle of medication
sitting beside my favorite coffee cup
remove a table,
swallow it with several sips of water;
it is time to make coffee.

It is more relaxing to count breaths. Counting steps gets me moving and encourages exercise. As I watch the coffee began to brew, I wonder which method of meditation is better on Monday morning. Is it better to sit with my eyes closed counting breaths? Is it better to focus on counting my steps? Is it better to recite my prayers or a scripture verse as I begin my day rather then focusing on counting breaths or steps?

Meditation Monday: Memorial Day 2015

Kamal (Perfection), 9 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 172 BE - Monday, May 25, 2015 about 10:30 am Pacific Daylight Time

Memories
of Uncle Roy the Doughboy
who never spoke of his experience
in the American Expeditionary Forces
of World War I.

I think back to the years I spent in Blackwell, Oklahoma. I think back to the times I saw Uncle Roy. I regret never asking him about his experiences in World War I.

Memories
of my father
who served in the Army Air Corp
during World War II.

I think back to the memories of my father. I remember him as a tall man and a gentle man. I don't remember him speaking about his experiences in World War II. I regret never asking him about those experiences.

Meditation Monday: Meditation on the Rain

Kamal (Perfection), 2 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 172 BE - Monday, May 18, 2015 about 2:03 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Echoes of thunder
Lightning and cold drops of rain
Monday afternoon

On this rainy Monday afternoon I am thankful that the electricity did not go out. I realized, when I saw the flashes of lightning and heard the echoes of thunder, that my flashlights do not have batteries.

Afternoon shower
On a cloudy day in May
Strange thoughts come to mind

What happens if the electricity goes out while I am washing dishes? Even if the flashlight had batteries, it would be out of my reach when I am at the sink. My flashlight is always on my computer desk.

Meditation Monday: Monday Morning Miracles

Kamal (Perfection), 14 Jamál (Beauty), 172 BE - Monday, May 11, 2015 about 8:21 am Pacific Daylight Time

Monday miracle
I woke up without pain
and got out of bed.

It is a beautiful Monday morning here in Las Vegas. I have consumed two or three cups of coffee, ate a small container of yogurt, and written approximately 650 words in response to blog prompts from three writing.com blog groups. I have changed my mind twice about going to the supermarket later today. At this moment I have no intentions of going because I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon, so I can stop at the supermarket after I leave the doctor's office.

Monday miracle
at dawn I heard a rooster crow
and birds sing.

It is a miraculous Monday morning here in Las Vegas or at least in my neighborhood. The sun cast dark shadows across the sidewalk and streets while birds walk-hop on the ground searching for food. The sky is blue with wisps of ghost clouds flowing either from west to east or from east to west. A tranquil feeling permeates the atmosphere along Sunrise Avenue while two or three streets over dog bark.

Monday miracle
the city wakes up, stretches,
yawn, and goes to work.

 

Meditation Monday: A Tranquil Mind

Kamal (Perfection), 7 Jamál (Beauty), 172 BE - Monday, May 4, 2015 about 12:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time

I listen to the sparrows of morning
intoning their praise to dawn,
singing their joy for another day of life
and happiness.

I intone my prayers on rising
in the first light of day,
my praise joining the sparrow
melody.

Tranquil thoughts embrace my mind,
as I begin a new day
and a new week.

The birds are not blue because
today is Monday,
they are happy
that a new day has dawned
nor do they worry
about what tomorrow will bring.


I inhale the fragrance of morning,
I place the day
and the week in God's hands knowing
that it the way
to achieve a tranquil mind.

Meditation Monday: Poem Written on the Seventh Day of Ridvan

Kamal (Perfection), 19 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Monday, April 27, 2015 about 2:13 pm Pacific Daylight Time

I open my prayer book
I inhale the words of the God's Glory,
I meditate
upon the revealed word
and contemplate
the Divine Springtime.

I wonder
what it was like
to walk in the Garden of Ridvan
and listen
to the melody
of the Nightingale
of Paradise.

Meditation Monday: My Methods of Meditation

Kamal (Perfection), 12 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Monday, April 20, 2015 about 7:14 am Pacific Daylight Time

Meditation Monday
I woke up giving thanks for
another beautiful day.

My normal method of meditation consists of sitting on the couch with a crocheted throw over my head. Sometimes I close my eyes and count my breath, but at other times I leave my eyes open while focusing on one of the spaces between the crochet pattern. This method I can use anytime of day or year. Recently I began a walking form of meditation after I get up and before I begin my workday.

My walking meditation
is a tranquil beginning
to another day.

This meditation exercise consist of a five minute walk between my door and my electric range. I do not go outside that early in the morning because I would have to get dressed and walk east or west on Sunrise Avenue in the dark. When I do my walking meditation I .either focus on walking, I repeat scripture verses I have memorized, or chant. It depends on how I feel and whether or not I have issues with my knees that morning. If my knees are stiff it is easier for me to focus on a scripture verse or chanting then on the act of walking. When my knees are stiff or painful my mind focuses on the pain rather then the act of walking.

Meditation Monday: The Word of God is the True Miracle

Kamal (Perfection), 10 Bahá (Splendour), 172 BE - Monday, March 30, 2015 about 12:30 pm Pacific Daylight Time

The word of God is the true miracle because it transforms the individual. Reading and meditating on God's Holy Word pulls the individual out of the darkness of selfishness of personal desires and brings that person into the light of benevolent caring, unselfish kindness, and selflessness.

Reading and meditating on God's word
has expanded my own horizon and concept
of family to take in the planet and all of humanity.

I am a happier person when I place my cares and troubles in God's hands. I can relax knowing that no matter what happens in my life everything will turn out for the best. I know that, despite everything, God wants the best for both me and the rest of the human race because God created us out of love.

The word of God is the true miracle and the messenger who brings that word to humanity speaks with the voice of God. The only way for any human being to know God is through his messengers who come to us in each age with the words that give our souls eternal life. As I read God's holy words I feel the holy spirit flowing through the words and speaking directly to my soul.

Meditation Monday: Attempting to Pray and Meditate

Kamal (Perfection), 8 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 171 BE - Monday, March 9, 2015 11:31 am Pacific Daylight Time


I've been in a mental fog all morning because of the spring forward. This always happens when the clocks are moved forward or back and it takes me almost half a day to get over the fogginess. it is difficult to pray, meditate, or do anything else when I'm feeling like this. Unfortunately, I have to go to the store this afternoon to pick up a prescription. I will say a prayer of protection before I leave the house. I may also sit in my car and say another one when I leave the grocery store.

If I didn't have to pick up the prescription I would stay home, but if I don't pick it up today then I'll have to go to the store tomorrow. I don't know if the fogginess I'm feeling is causing me to worry. I'm worried about everything this morning, which isn't like me. I normally just worry about a few things, but not today. i'm tired, not sleepy, so I will go to the store to get the things I need. I need to just take a deep breath and put everything in God's hands. Today I'm having difficulty doing that and I'm not sure why. It could be just the foggy effect of the time change. Whatever it is I wish it would go away.

I will post this and then get ready to go. The postal carrier just left so I can stop at my mail box on the way to the car to see if I got any letters or bills. I will be alright as soon as I get used to the time change and getting up an hour earlier each morning.

Meditation Monday: Silence, Tranquility, and Music

Kamal (Perfection), 1 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 171 BE - Monday, March 2, 2015 about 4:59 pm Pacific Standard Time

Silence encourages meditation and prayer. The house is never noise free, but sometimes the neighbors music stops pounding through the walls and the house becomes tranquil. At these times my mind feels the tranquility that accompanies the absence of modern music. I know that the music I listened to as a teenager and young adult was just as loud and distracting as that played by young adults today. I know that sometimes my parents and grandparents or their friends would shake their heads when I payed my music, but they never said anything to me about it. Therefore, I do not complain about the music I hear my neighbor play.

There are times during the day when I wish my neighbor would pick a different genre of music. I suspect my parents thought the same thing when I payed my music, but they never said anything. I know that my neighbor enjoys his music just as much I enjoyed and still enjoy mine. I accept all kinds of music because it reflects the culture and background of the individual.

As I write this the music has started again. The music is not as loud as before and this is the way the music goes all day. It starts, a song plays, it stops for a bit, and starts again at a lower volume. I think both my neighbor and I need to find jobs that get us out of the house during the day. I know that I need some time away from my apartment and I am sure he does as well.

Some of his music I enjoy listening to, but not all of it. There are some songs that are offensive; however, I am not the one playing the music. If it gets too offensive then I can t take a short walk to the alley. The problem with the offensive music is that it interferes with prayer and meditation. I have a blanket to put over my head so that I can cut down on visual distractions when I meditate. I think I need to purchase earplugs to cut down on auditory distractions.

Meditation Monday: Growing Miracles - A Poem

Kamal (Perfection), 10 Mulk (Dominion), 171 BE - Monday, February 16, 2015 about 12:15 pm Pacific Standard Time

Out of difficulties grow miracles.

Jean de la Bruyere

Valentine's Day is over
and a new week has begun.

The Monday blues
has come and gone
now it is time for a little fun.

I smile because I know
that difficulties grow miracles
that bloom from the stem of faith;
all that is necessary
is to open your mind to
the possibilities.

A mornng spent in prayer
produces a joyful afternoon.

I am not alone
because I have the Lord
and the revealed word.