By the time you read this, I’ll be a month into NOW is Where God Lives; A Year of Nested Meditations to Delight the Mind and Awaken the Soul, by Kevin Anderson. This year, when it came time to select our daily inspirational reading, we shopped from our own bookshelves. For whatever reason, we had never read this gem, but for this year, it felt just right.
I didn’t even know nested meditations were a thing. Anderson describes them as:
“. . . repetitive, poetic reflections that use the lightness of wordplay to achieve a surprising emergence of deeper awareness” (p. 7).
The Magic of Words
He writes about the mysteriousness of words and how they shape our thoughts and lead us to discovery and wisdom. The form has rules and offers surprises that challenge our logical expectations in both words and punctuation. The poems use simple language and are meant to be savored–meditated upon.
I’m betting you’d like to see an example. I don’t believe Mr. Anderson will mind.
January 23
Do you want to help humanity?
Do you want to help humanity?
Become your best self.
Do you want to help humanity?
Become your best. Self-
Doubt does not serve the world.
Do you want to help humanity?
Become your best. Self-
Doubt does not serve. The world
needs the you beyond all your hesitation.
(Anderson, p. 35)
Journaling
I processed in my journal, “Angels, may I, without hesitation and doubt, become my best self so I might fulfill my purpose on this Earth.
A self-help junkie, I’m constantly working to be my best self, but has that diminished my doubt and hesitation? Maybe a little bit. But let me say, I have plenty of growing room.
I have plenty of growing room.
I have plenty of growing room
in my shoes.
I have plenty of growing room
in my shoes
of journey.
I have plenty of growing room
in my shoes
of journey;
the journey that is my life.
by Debi Dixon
Now you try. It’s fun. And if you’re willing, post your nested meditation in the comments section below.
Thank you, Krista, for reminding us we are worthy. I appreciate you!
I am worthy of connection.
I am worthy of connection
even though I have hidden myself away, among the shadows.
I am worthy of connection
even though I have hidden myself away, among the shadows
because my heart is still mending.
I am worthy of connection
even though I have hidden myself away, among the shadows
because my heart is still mending.
But I am slowly awakening my voice and stepping back into the light.
Krista! This is so lovely.
I have very limited space & growing room.
I have totally outgrown the physical space within my skin and clothing. The excess is smothering the soul,
challenging the elastic.
That’s what life is about…being able to stretch.
Yes, Brenda! Life is all about the stretch.
Thanks for playing.
Love this, Jessica!
Thanks for playing.
I speak my truth.
I speak my truth. I whisper it to the wind in the trees.
I speak my truth. I whisper it to the wind in the trees. My truth returns to me as a friend.
I speak my truth. I whisper it to the wind in the trees. My truth returns to me as a friend. I welcome it back into my heart and listen to the tales of what my truth has seen.
Jessica, beautiful, poignant, and thought-provoking! Thank you for sharing it.