Meditation is mental prayer rather then vocal; it is thought rather than ritual. "Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion and desire." Meditation can be the process whereby we think about something to understand it, consider its implications, and application to our lives. It is the way we analyze something spiritual. It is not something that is merely study, which helps inform the mind, but it is something that leads to prayer. It leads to conversation with God.

St. Ignatius of Loyola strongly encouraged the use of imagination in meditation. In his SpiritualExercises, he shows how imagination will enhance our understanding and appreciation of Scripture, and how we can talk to Christ using the image. When meditating a passage of scripture one should become an active participant who experiences the story rather than someone who merely witnesses it.

The prayer links on the left are prayers practiced by Tim Malone, M.Div, a teacher, retreat leader and spiritual director active in Seattle community. In his meditations and prayers, he uses chants, hand movements, and breathing exercises. Whichever method that one uses, the purpose of prayer is to communicate with God. This means both speaking -- and listening -- to God's spirit.

You can use the prayers in this page to aid in your prayer practices. Also, you will find other creative ways of meditating in the Links to Virtual Spirituality Practices

Earth Mother, Nurse me (now)…
Nurse me . . . in the silence (moments)
Nurse me in the tea/food (before me now)
Nurse me in the company of she or he (through them to me)
Nurse me amidst creation, fair and green (as I walk … upon your most holy ground)
Nurse me, in my breath, oh mother within,
Breathing in . . . healing . . .
light and love (be filled . . .chant)… breathing out dis-ease
Nurse me as I breathe ( a full breath –in/out) into the places . . .
in my body, in need (chest, heart, belly)
For
In
Nursing
Me (O Beloved)
I then may,
In turn,
(be a) nurse the world.

©Timothy J. Malone.   March 21, 2003

I give thanks for the abundance Received . . .

(Out breath with a Sigh, Hands outstretched on table)
(Momentarily reflect on
Gifts of people, events, synchronicities
Come into my life as well as this present moment)

I give thanks for the Abundance to come,

(And, hands raising, palms up)

trusting it WILL come I say, "YES!!"

©Timothy J. Malone.

AS YOU BREATHE IN,
CUP YOUR HANDS IN FRONT OF YOU LIKE A BOWL …
and BRING CUPPED HANDS UP AND INTO YOUR HEART SLOWLY, AS YOU SAY THESE WORDS

"For the Abundance Received . . ."

(As you breathe out take a moment to reflect on and cup into your heart the Gifts of people, events, synchronicities Come into YOUR life today -- as well as to savor this present moment)

" . . . I Give Thanks."

ONCE AT YOUR HEART FORM
TWO PRAYING HANDS --
COMING OUT OF YOUR HEART --
THUMBS RESTING ON CHEST
FINGERS TOGETHER FACING UPWARD
BOWING SLIGHTLY IN GRATITUDE.

AS YOU BREATHE IN AGAIN FORM YOUR HANDS BACK INTO A BOWL AND SLOWLY STRETCH YOUR ARMS OUT INTO A BEGGING POSITION, AS YOU SPEAK THESE WORDS:

"For the Abundance to Come,"

STRETCH YOUR ARMS OUT TO FULL LENGTH IN FRONT OF YOU, OPENING HANDS WIDE AND TO EITHER SIDE, SAYING:

"Trusting it WILL Come …"

AS YOU BREATHE OUT RAISE YOUR HANDS HIGH, palms up TO RECEIVE IN CONFIDENCE … your eyes skyward:

"…I Say, "YES!!"

* This prayer can last a minute -- or three minutes,
Can be silent,
Or made with gusto,
Especially at the end;
Saying "YES" --
To God,
To the universe
To the One
Who gives Life
And renews each year
The Earth into
Springtime --
Is no small thing.

©Tim Malone, M.div

*Received on one-year solo pilgrimage in Asia And prayed each meal of Jubilee Year, 2000-2001