The days leading up to Easter are for contemplation and anticipation. When we make a break in our routine: either add to or take away something, we are creating just the diversion we may need to squeeze in time for sitting meditations to think on the deeper meaning of the resurrection.

To begin:

Sit at your meditation altar during a quiet time of day when you will not be disturbed. If you use them, light a candle and burn incense. Let the light and fragrance become part of your experience of the moment. Light shines so we may see, not just in the outer world, but within our deeper consciousness.

Begin rounds of even and regular breathing such as breathe in one count; breathe out one count; breathe in one count and continue this rhythmic pattern while meditating.

Close your eyes. Mentally, say appreciations for the good in your life. Appreciation puts us in a positive mood; dispels gloom.

As this is a meditation for every day in Lent, take one quality each day or time you meditate that you'd like to improve. For example, think about what you might do to substitute a better habit for a harmful practice.

We still need to fill in the time we spend in unhealthy habits and practices and while it may seem too hard to improve all at once, a small step in the right direction is to make a little improvement every day.

Another way to counter what you wish to change is to begin a completely new and better practice for the time spent in the old ways.

These days of meditation leading to Easter are a time to really become clean and refreshed inside and out: in mind and body.

Now, while sitting still, make your plans and open your eyes briefly to write out your new plans in your meditation journal. You can refer back to these pages later to check on your progress.

Close your eyes and say a closing prayer to align with the coming Resurrection:

Lord of Love
Open my mind and heart
Clear the way for receiving
Your joy and blessings.

Meditation by Susan Helene Kramer

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For offline reading

Meditation Lessons for Teens and Adults
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. 114 pages.

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Meditation for all Kids
Sitting, walking, dance and group circle meditations, along with positive affirmations, verses and benefits of meditation for kids of all ages and abilities in a 100 page book with illustrations.