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What is offered here is a method of dwelling in the Presence of God.
1. Entering
Go to a quiet place, if possible.
You can sit, stand, or walk, but keep your back straight so your breathing is not constricted.
If you are sitting or standing, you may shut your eyes, although, if sitting, you might fall asleep. If you keep your eyes open or are walking, focus on the ground about three feet in front of you.
If your vision distracts you, pull something over your head (a scarf or shawl) so your peripheral vision is restricted.
You can imagine that as you enfold yourself in the scarf, you are enfolding yourself in prayer.
Breathe: listen to your breath until your mind stops racing around
Imagine the Presence of God directly in front of you or enfolding you.
Breathe to the Presence; let the Presence breathe back to you.
Bless the Presence. To bless the Presence means to offer to be open to the Presence in such a way that compassionate blessings flow from the Presence through you and out into the world.
2. Praying
Now you begin to pray. These are the four forms of prayer recommended: adoration, intercession, thanksgiving, and confession.
Adoration
Sit still, just knowing each other's company (i.e., God and yourself).
Intercession and Petition
Speak your concerns for others (intercession) and for yourself (petition). Even if you do not vocalize, move your lips; the act of speaking helps keep your thoughts from wandering.
Let the Presence of God take your concerns; you can imagine handing them over, if you wish. Promise to be open to the Presence's direction in whatever form that comes.
Thanksgiving
Thank the Presence for at least ten things today (for example, for your spouse and children, for your friends, for sunshine or clouds, for your in-basket being momentarily empty, for the flowers in your garden, and so on).
Confession
Tell the Presence where you think you went wrong.
Let the Presence take your wrongdoings; you can imagine handing them over, if you wish.
Promise to be open to the direction of the Presence once again, in whatever form that comes.
3. Leaving
When you must resume your everyday tasks, ask that you stay reminded of the Presence wherever you go and whatever you do.
4. Blessing
As you return to your everyday routine, try to see the Presence in the first ten people that you meet - no matter who they are - and bless them all. The blessing may be silent. After that, bless others as you go.
The reason for blessing the first ten people you meet is to help you see the Presence in everyone and to make blessing others as natural as breathing.
You will find it very difficult to let anger overtake you when you are saying a blessing, even when you are dealing with difficult people. ID0311
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