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A Meditation and Prayer for Ukraine
388 Plays2 years ago
This particular episode was not planned in my schedule, but it is something that has been impressed on me for the last few days. The situation in Ukraine, with Russian aggression, is devastating and discouraging. But we can see that the leadership of Russia does NOT have the full support of his own people, and certainly not that of the rest of the world. It would be sadly foolish to blame all Russian people for what is happening there.
So, I want to present this prayerful meditation for peace and compassion in the region... for both Ukraine and Russia. It is not such a long meditation, but peaceful music continues to play after my voice ends, so you may wish to continue sending thoughts and prayers for Peace to Ukraine and Russia even after I stop speaking.
NOTE: some people are not believers in sending "thoughts and prayers". In this case, as individuals, there is little else we can do. Also, research has shown that positive intention, as expressed by thoughts and prayers, can have an impact on the real world. (Check out Dr. Gary Schwartz's book, "The Energy Healing Experiments", and Lynne McTaggart's Healing Intention experiment at https://lynnemctaggart.com/results-of-the-first-healing-intention-experiment/ .) And honestly, even if the effect each of us individually can make is small, isn't peace worth it?
It is a bit like the well-known story of the little boy and the starfish on the beach:
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed boy picking up and gently throwing things into the ocean.
Approaching the boy he asked, “Young man, what are you doing?”
“Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die,” the boy replied.
The man laughed to himself and said, “Do you realize there are miles of miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make any difference.”
After listening politely, the boy bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the surf. Then, he smiled at the man and said, “I made a difference to that one.”
So, I want to present this prayerful meditation for peace and compassion in the region... for both Ukraine and Russia. It is not such a long meditation, but peaceful music continues to play after my voice ends, so you may wish to continue sending thoughts and prayers for Peace to Ukraine and Russia even after I stop speaking.
NOTE: some people are not believers in sending "thoughts and prayers". In this case, as individuals, there is little else we can do. Also, research has shown that positive intention, as expressed by thoughts and prayers, can have an impact on the real world. (Check out Dr. Gary Schwartz's book, "The Energy Healing Experiments", and Lynne McTaggart's Healing Intention experiment at https://lynnemctaggart.com/results-of-the-first-healing-intention-experiment/ .) And honestly, even if the effect each of us individually can make is small, isn't peace worth it?
It is a bit like the well-known story of the little boy and the starfish on the beach:
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed boy picking up and gently throwing things into the ocean.
Approaching the boy he asked, “Young man, what are you doing?”
“Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die,” the boy replied.
The man laughed to himself and said, “Do you realize there are miles of miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make any difference.”
After listening politely, the boy bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the surf. Then, he smiled at the man and said, “I made a difference to that one.”
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Transcript
Introduction to Meditation for Ukraine and Russia
00:00:05
Speaker
Today, I would like to present to you a meditation and prayer for Ukraine, and for that matter, Russia. You know, this was not something on my agenda for the podcast, but it is something that's been pressing on my mind and heart for the last couple of days.
Embracing Diverse Beliefs and Understanding
00:00:29
Speaker
Now, I guess that many of you know that I'm an interfaith minister,
00:00:33
Speaker
And some of you know what that means. Among other things, it means that I try to support anyone in their search for meaning and faith, even if it means they believe differently than I do, or do not believe in a deity at all.
Prayer as Mental Energy and Intention
00:00:51
Speaker
Now some of you may be put off by the idea of prayer for the situation in Ukraine and Russia, because you do not believe in prayer. And that's fine, that's your prerogative.
00:01:03
Speaker
If you will, take a moment to consider prayer as intention or mental energy. Now, scientists have proven that the mind can exert a form of energy that has the ability to affect reality. So even if you don't believe in praying to a god or gods, you can focus your thoughts
00:01:29
Speaker
on sending good energy to the people of Ukraine, and for that matter, to the Russian people who are being shoved into this quagmire by lies told to them by a venal, misguided dictator and his government.
Focusing on Peace and Compassion
00:01:49
Speaker
For a few minutes at least, try to put away the idea of anger about what is happening.
00:01:57
Speaker
Feelings of frustration, of revenge for atrocities committed in the name of nationalism and greed. Instead, find a comfortable and convenient place to sit. And listen to the calming background sounds. Listen to my words. Let your heart be filled with love and compassion.
00:02:26
Speaker
and center your mind and heart on thoughts of peace for both Ukraine and Russia. Thank you.
Creating a Safe and Peaceful Space
00:02:43
Speaker
As you sit quietly, relax and be comfortable. Feel the chair, the floor,
00:02:55
Speaker
the earth as it supports you. Know that you are safe. You are in a sacred space now, made holy and sacred by our thoughts, our intentions, our prayers. You are surrounded by a bubble of peace. Now breathe in deeply
00:03:24
Speaker
Add your own natural rhythm. Let the air enter into your lungs, filling them.
Breathing Love and Compassion into Suffering
00:03:33
Speaker
And each time you breathe, feel the energy of love enter deeply into you, permeating your body. Feel the power of love and compassion flowing out from your heart in all directions,
00:03:54
Speaker
Feel it moving through your chest, into your shoulders and belly, out to your arms, your hands, your fingers, down into your legs, into your feet, and your toes. Let those feelings of love flow up through your neck and into your head, filling your mind with compassion.
00:04:23
Speaker
for all those who are suffering in Ukraine and Russia. Continue to breathe deeply at your own natural rhythm. As the love and compassion within you grows, you feel it as a warm, soothing glow, like a mug of hot tea or cocoa or coffee held in your hands.
Envisioning Peace between Ukraine and Russia
00:04:54
Speaker
The warmth flows out into your entire being. You feel this warmth of compassion flowing into your belly, flowing through your legs, into your shoulders, running out your arms to your fingertips.
00:05:21
Speaker
You continue to breathe that slow, deep, natural rhythm. Love fills your heart and chest. It moves up through your throat, into your head, into your mind. In your mind's eye, you envision peace and calm in Ukraine and in Russia.
00:05:54
Speaker
You see Russian soldiers and Ukrainian soldiers putting aside their weapons, shutting down their tanks, powering down their missile launchers and mortars. You see fighter jets and bombers returning to their bases without firing or dropping bombs.
00:06:24
Speaker
You envision these soldiers and everyday citizens meeting calmly in the streets, hands and arms open and outstretched in friendship. You see them shaking hands, embracing one another.
Imagining Leaders Agreeing on Peace
00:06:44
Speaker
Men and women from both sides are weeping with grief at the losses, at the destruction,
00:06:53
Speaker
and they mourn together. In your mind's eye you then see Russian and Ukrainian people working together to rebuild what was broken and destroyed. You see them side by side laboring for peace to restore what was taken away. Letting your mind's eye see farther
00:07:23
Speaker
You see national leaders weeping at what has been done. You see Putin and those who work for him grieving the destruction and the loss of life. There, at a table in a large room with both the Russian and Ukrainian flags displayed, you see President Zelensky of Ukraine sitting down with President Putin of Russia
00:07:54
Speaker
They calmly discuss what has happened. They shake their heads at the foolishness, at the loss of life. You see them agreeing to peace and abiding peace that leaves the original borders of Ukraine intact and her people free to rule themselves.
00:08:23
Speaker
you envision Putin and Zelensky shaking hands and smiling.
Citizens Celebrating Peace and Understanding
00:08:32
Speaker
As your vision widens, you can see the citizens of both countries standing in their streets, in their towns and villages, celebrating the peace, even while mourning the losses they have experienced.
00:08:52
Speaker
You see parents holding their children, husbands and wives clinging to one another, parents holding infants, cuddling their pets. You see lovers embracing one another and smiling. You see Russian and Ukrainian people sitting down together in cafes,
00:09:19
Speaker
Sharing cups of chai and slices of cake. Discussing life. Talking about their shared concerns and joys and sorrows. Fully realizing each other's personhood. Understanding that they are not enemies but brothers and sisters.
00:09:49
Speaker
separated only by the artificial constructs of national identities and the borders of countries.
Sending Intentions for Shared Humanity
00:10:01
Speaker
As these visions begin to fade from your mind, let us send out our intentions, our prayers, our desires for the people of Ukraine and of Russia.
00:10:18
Speaker
continue to breathe slowly and deeply as we mentally send our thoughts and our intentions out into the universe. Creator, universe, whatever name or names you may bear, may our visions of peace, love, compassion,
00:10:48
Speaker
for Ukraine and Russia become full reality. May all in those countries understand that they are not truly different, that they are all human beings, no matter what region or state or country they live in, no matter what flag may fly over them, no matter what uniform or clothing they may wear,
00:11:16
Speaker
no matter what language they may speak. Let nothing that we ourselves say, or do, or post in social media encourage vengeance or violence in any way. May our words, our thoughts, and our deeds be peaceful.
00:11:45
Speaker
May they create peace. May they reveal the peace that is hidden and nurture the peace that is fragile or weak. We are grateful for every moment of peace. And as we seek peace, may we always remember the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
00:12:14
Speaker
Peace is not the absence of conflict, but rather the presence of justice.
Continuing Peaceful Breathing Exercises
00:12:27
Speaker
As we end this meditation and prayer for peace in that region, let us focus once more on our breathing, slow and deep.
00:12:43
Speaker
Breathing in for peace. Breathing out for compassion. Breathing in for peace. Breathing out for compassion. In. Out. May we all have peace.
00:13:11
Speaker
and compassion for those who are around us. Shanti.
00:13:46
Speaker
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