Intro to Meditation
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Remember that the point of meditation is just to be with God for some moments.
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Remember that the effort He sees you make is the most important part.
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Remember that at the end of the day - the meditation is just thinking about God.
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Start every meditation with an image in your mind that is most effective for you in seeing God's goodness or beauty. It could be Christ on the Cross, Our Lady in a garden, a favorite painting of yours, a beautiful sunset or the stars. Anything.
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Whenever you're distracted, come back to that image to refocus yourself.
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You don't have to think of all the points of the meditation. If you're really into one point, stay on it. If not, move on to the next.
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Follow the suggested times depending on your experience. Don't stop trying until the timer stops. That is so important.
First starting out - 5 minutes
After a couple weeks - 10 minutes
After a couple months - 15 minutes
DAILY MEDITATION
ASH WEDNESDAY
My child, today is a reminder. “For dust thou art and unto dust that shalt return.” One day, my child, you will die, and your body will return to the earth from whence it came.
The smudge upon your forehead is more than black ash in the shape of a cross. It is a reminder of death. A reminder which must be imprinted on your heart, soul, and mind.
After winter comes spring. Death is transformed miraculously into life. As my Son’s death brought about His resurrection, so will this cold season of Lent bring about life in your soul.
My God, I do not understand. What must I do so that my soul may blossom like the flowers in springtime?
Death to self.
My child, if you wish to experience this beautiful life in your soul you must destroy self, and replace it with the will of your heavenly father. You must do penance, for it is in suffering that one is tested and becomes stronger.
One day you will die, and upon death you will be faced with the reality of heaven or hell. The soul that cares solely for itself will be confronted with eternal hellfire, while the soul that abides only by the will of its Creator and Savior will be welcomed to an eternity of happiness.
Dear God, winter is here. It is a solemn day, for lent is upon us; and while yes, one day we will die and literally become dust again; it is not just a natural death that we should be reminded of. It is the death to our worldly inclinations. Give me the grace, my God, to be strong. Give me that grace so that I may renounce self in order to please You. My God, give me the grace to die to self, for it is in dying that I may truly live. Let me, my God, be reminded of this throughout my days. Let it be imprinted on my mind as the cross of ash is upon my forehead.
