Simi Valley, CA
We will engage in meditative and contemplative practices of the many branches of the Christian Faith throughout its history, into the present. We focus each week on a contemplative from Christian history and engage in meditative prayer together.
Wednesdays from 5-6 PM (PT) via Zoom.
Led by Rev. Jim Burklo
When you’re beginning to practice meditation, often the biggest roadblock is “emptying” the mind. It is common to quit meditating all together, because no matter how hard you try, it seems impossible to stop random thoughts from popping into your head.
Often what happens is that someone will attempt to silence their thoughts, random thoughts come, and then that person will start to judge themselves for not being able to meditate “correctly.” Then, instead of freedom from attachment, they are fully attached to thoughts of “I just can’t do it!”
There is a cycle that happens here that we must find a way to break!
How do we break that cycle?
Breathing!
Instead of focusing on whether or not you’re “doing it right” shift your attention to your breath. The rhythmic pattern of inhaling and exhaling has an effect on your mind similar to the effect a lullaby might have on a fussy infant. We are simply calming everything down: our bodies, our thoughts, our worries, etc.
Scientists are now just beginning to understand some of the marvelous benefits of breath control. According to The New York Times:
“Studies have found…that breathing practices can help reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and attention deficit disorder.”
The “Just Breathe” Method
This 5 Minute Meditation Method allows us to practice using our breath to still our minds.
What appears, on the surface, as a simple exercise actually has deeper implications.
Mastering the “gap” between “what is” (or our reality) and “what can be” (or our imagination) allows us to participate in the natural flow of consciousness.
Too often we wait for things to happen and then merely have a reaction. A life of spiritual practice, even a simple one like the meditation method mentioned in this post, allows us to break the habit of reaction and live purposely.
Learning how to harness and direct our thoughts cleans up all the mental junk we accumulate and allows us to create more, love more and envision a better existence for ourselves and our world.
Thursday Evenings at 8 p.m. on ZOOM I think of God as a Presence that I can be in relationship with, one that I can draw wisdom from, who guides me, and fills me with peace and love. The spiritual practice of meditation helps bring me into that presence. Meditation reduces stress, cultivates a sense…
![Meditation for Beginners [How to start in only five minutes!]](https://i0.wp.com/uccsimi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/monk-hands-faith-person-45178.jpeg?resize=525%2C350&ssl=1)
When first beginning to explore meditation, it can be very difficult to figure out how to get started. We often want to jump straight into becoming a meditation master! Many of us lack the ability or the time to spend hours in deep states of consciousness. This series of posts seeks to explore beginning meditation…
A day in the park.Masked man greets me.Smiling eyes.“Isn’t it wonderful,all these people in the park!”Just what I was thinking.“It almost feels normal.”I agree. We’re searching for normal,not the old normal. We can’t go back.A new normal?What does that look like? Hand shakes instead of fist bumps?Hugs all around.Time with family and friends –no longer…
![The Mighty Power in Simple Breathwork [5 Minute Meditation]](https://i0.wp.com/uccsimi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/pexels-photo-775417.jpeg?resize=525%2C350&ssl=1)
When you’re beginning to practice meditation, often the biggest roadblock is “emptying” the mind. It is common to quit meditating all together, because no matter how hard you try, it seems impossible to stop random thoughts from popping into your head. Often what happens is that someone will attempt to silence their thoughts, random thoughts…
When first beginning to explore meditation, it can be very difficult to figure out how to get started. We often want to jump straight into becoming a meditation master!
Many of us lack the ability or the time to spend hours in deep states of consciousness. This series of posts seeks to explore beginning meditation methods. Some of the methods shared will only require 5 minutes!
The key is to allow yourself to try! No one will become a meditation expert overnight, but trying a simple 5 minute exercise can help to build important focus and relaxation skills. These small skills can lead to a more satisfying spiritual practice.
What are the benefits of this method?
This practice can help begin to clear the “clutter” from your mind. If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or burdened about something in your life, this meditation method helps to clear away other distractions and “make peace” with the concern you have.
Quick Reference Slide
The physical act of folding or tearing the paper gives you a chance to “make peace” with the source of your anxiety or concern. We are tying a physical act to the thought. We are quite literally “pushing away” harmful thoughts.
You may notice a sense of relief right away or you may not notice anything at all. Like anything else, it takes time to develop an effective spiritual practice. The important thing is you’ve taken the first step!
Other Meditation Resources
Thursday Evenings at 8 p.m. on ZOOM
I think of God as a Presence that I can be in relationship with, one that I can draw wisdom from, who guides me, and fills me with peace and love. The spiritual practice of meditation helps bring me into that presence. Meditation reduces stress, cultivates a sense of inner peace, helps us to find clarity of purpose, and can produce healing, as some in our medical profession have been finding out.
Each Thursday evening for 20 to 30 minutes I lead a guided meditation, followed by a short time of sharing. The meditations draw from Christian, Buddhist, and Inter-spiritual traditions i.e. Loving Kindness Meditations, Tonglen, Relaxation Meditation, Examen, Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer and meditations focused on themes of Gratitude, Peace and Love.
All are welcome to join us on ZOOM. Just fill out the contact form below, and I will send you the link to join.
Finding peace during these challenging times.
Susan Brecht
Our Meditation Gathering meets every Thursday at 8 p.m. (Pacific Time) via Zoom Video Conferencing, hosted by Rev. Susan Brecht.
For more information please visit https://uccsimi.org/guided-meditations/
Copyright 2023, United Church of Christ, Simi Valley. All rights reserved.
Web design by Curtis Creates.
