TIME2LINK

A BASIC GUIDE 

If you're new to meditation or linking-in, the following basic guide can be adapted to suit, and with practice, may help with calming the mind and stabilzing concentration levels when praying.

Spend some time in peace and quiet before the time2link begins at noon. Turn off the phone and make sure that you're warm and comfortable. Relax and allow each area of the body and the muscles to soften. Begin at the toes until you reach the crown of the head. Allow yourself this time of freedom and let go of any tension...let it trickle away like liquid. Your worries in life can be freeze-framed, your to-do list can be dropped and left untouched in your mental in/out-tray during this sacred time.

Observe your breathing. Breathe in and out through your nose, feeling the air move through each nostril, to the top of the nose. Try not to force the breath into any particular pattern. Allow it to be, however it wants to be, and simply observe it casually, as you would observe waves on a shore, flowing in and out. Spend as long as you need to, so that your mind begins to quieten and your body to relax.

Let all mind chatter drift away like smoke and as you sense your inner stillness expanding, allow your mind to acknowledge that others will be linking-in simultaneously. We are all a part of this ME & FM family, part of the world, part of the Universe, part of all that is...

As you begin to relax, your mind may sometimes attempt to chase idle thoughts that pop up and if you find yourself pursuing a chain of  thought, then just gently bring your awareness back to your breath. Try not to get frustrated with these idle thoughts or any background noise in your mind and don't worry if you struggle with trying to focus and concentrate. You don't need to concentrate as such, it's more a case of 'noticing' the breath, feeling the action of it and allowing whatever happens while doing that, to happen. 

When you do become aware that your mind is chasing random thoughts, just be kind to yourself and gently guide your focus back to your breath. You could perhaps imagine these thoughts that intrude, as though they are bubbles that drift across the inner screen of your mind...and when you catch yourself chasing them, maybe each bubble could drift away and pop!

Continue in this gentle way, accepting that thoughts will occasionally intrude and that you don't have to do this perfectly...the mind is not a wild animal you are trying to tame...these thoughts are just bubbles.

Hopefully you will begin to feel peace dwelling within you and feel more centered. As your heart opens, as you contemplate our link, direct the flow of your compassion outward and know that it will reach those in need. It is a time of giving and a time of receiving too. How would you most like to send aid? Use the power of your mind, combined with the peaceful love in your heart. Let your imagination and intuition guide you.

You may wish to simply give thanks or to ask that each individual may find the healing or support that they currently require. Or to visualise people looking radiantly well, smiling and laughing. Perhaps imagining the world bathed in a beautiful light, that touches all and reaches every sufferer across the miles, infusing them with a feeling of being loved, at peace, hopeful and energized. Or you may wish to say a prayer for a cure to be found or for awareness to be spread. We can also offer our thanks at this time, for the support, guidance and blessings we have personally received. As a guideline the most respectful way to ask for help for others, is to ask that assitance may manifest in a form that is right for each individuals Highest Good at the time. Some folk like to begin by asking for guidance, regarding what to pray for or meditate upon.

Month by month you will discover for yourself, your own unique method of connecting to the support link. It could be through a combination of elements, such as meditation, followed by reading verse and saying prayers. Lighting a candle at your home or place of worship. Being in nature. Or for those of you who are in the recovery stages, you may like to form a group that meets at a friends house, where you pray/meditate together or you may like to sing or bring offerings of inspirational writing to share. If you are severly ill or a carer reading this for someone who is, they may wish to simply open their hearts like doorway and know that they are both connecting to our wonderful link of love and receiving healing too. Participants have commented on how they feel energized, peaceful and happy, during and after the time2link.

Even young children with poorly relatives may like to participate in ways that are fun. Perhaps by writing down a wish and placing it in the earth with a new plant to 'grow'. Or by painting a happy picture/making a collage to send to them; as one naturally enters into a meditative state while being creative or gardening.

The roots of the time2link are not embedded in any one single religion.  It is your time to link and for you to enjoy in your own format and according to your own beliefs.

Thank you for the service that you are offering, by becoming a member of this global network. If you would like to create awareness within your own circle of contacts, a press release can be posted or e-mailed to you, for distribution to groups & individuals. 

Waves & Candles photo: Source: www.FreeFoto.com (c) Ian Britton