Beginning with Ash Wednesday, the approximately six weeks following are a time of increased spiritual fervor to prepare our body, mind and heart for the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.

This is a time of year to concentrate on thoughts of the mystical splendor of our Lord arising from his mortal tomb - body and soul. How is this possible? What are the lessons for us to learn by the events of the resurrection?

While living on earth we may not find out all the reasons, but by faith and hope we can purify our heart and everyday life enough to feel the great emotion of being uplifted in our thoughts, and that is a start on our way to communion with the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God.

Meditation for Lent

Choose a quiet place where you can sit and not be disturbed for the length of time that you wish to meditate. I have an attic spot that is under a skylight where I enjoy a sitting meditation. Don’t light a candle in your attic, though.

If you are sitting on a cushion on the floor bend your legs in, straighten your posture, fold your hands in your lap or place them face up or face down on your thighs. If sitting on a chair, also keep your back straight - don’t lean on the chair. Plant the soles of your feet firmly on the floor for balance, and hold your hands as just described.

If the weather is chilly wrap a shawl around your shoulders as your body temperature may lower by sitting still. Think about what you would wrap yourself in if taking a nap, though you won’t be going to sleep mentally.

Close your eyes. Begin to breathe in an even and regular pattern, such as one count to breathe in, and one count to breathe out. Keep up this rhythm throughout your meditation without actually saying the counts out loud or mentally.

After your breathing becomes regular turn your thoughts to contemplation on the resurrection. How can you resurrect your own life to arise in the goodness and kindness of our Lord? Action begins with attitude and thought, so adopt a good mood, contemplate caring thoughts, and ideas for their subsequent action will come to mind.

Finish your contemplation with a sincere wish for joy in the world beginning at home, spreading to relatives, community and the far stretches of the universe.

Take a deep breath in, slowly release it, open your eyes and stretch out. Carry the peaceful feeling from your meditation into your day.

Come, dear Lord
Your love impart
That I may share
Your spiritual heart.

I invite you to join me in a world-wide cyber meditation every day of the year. Click here to read about it.

Meditation Lessons for Teens and Adults by Susan Kramer
More than 70 offerings, from guided meditation techniques to on-the-go stress relief and relationship meditations interspersed with verse, and a section of special occasion prayers. 116 pages.

Article by Susan Helene Kramer; photo of author in meditation pose by Stan Schaap

NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter of updates to the meditation site by filling in the blank below the article with your email address - which is never passed on beyond this site.