Gentle human touch, begun with mother and child, feels good and is nourishing for children and adults alike throughout life. Tenderness in dealing mind to mind gets the same positive feedback.

Meditation for Contemplation

Sit in a quiet location in a chair or on the floor on a cushion with your legs folded in. Light a candle and burn some incense if you like. When you are ready, fold your hands in your lap or rest them palms up or palms down on your thighs. Close your eyes.

Begin even and regular breathing such as - breathe in count 1; breathe out count 2; breathe in count 1, and continue this pattern to bring peace to your body and mind.

Now, keep up the regular rhythm of your breathing and reflect on the following thoughts:

When we see a situation that could stand some changing, we get a more receptive response if we first point out the good. At home, at work or at school, if we treat those around us with consideration we will likely get a response in kind.

When we lose our tempers it is easy to blame someone. Actually, we allow a situation to affect us negatively, and we then get angry within ourselves and explode emotionally outwardly. Realizing that events are temporary and that all problems have a resolve helps us to relax during the process of conflict, and be kinder to those involved with what we are going through.

Looking back, we see that every problem had a resolve, and it follows that future problems will resolve equitably, too. In the meantime, life is more enjoyable if we are tender in our dealings with loved ones, friends, everyone.

Tenderness is a baseline for spiritual living. Living a spiritual life means more than one hour of church a week. It involves moment to moment, day to day integration of insight into all aspects of living.

We live in the spirit by following our conscience in all our actions. Each of our words or deeds should hurt no one, not ourselves, either. All should benefit from our time on earth.

Finish your meditation by taking a deep breath in and let it out, then record new insights in your journal for future review.

Article and photo credit Susan Kramer

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For offsite reading

Meditation 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.