We gathered in Santa Monica, home of the 2101 Wilshire Building, for Part 2 of the “Inner Worlds of Meditation” webcast class with John Morton on Thursday, June 1st, 2006. It was blessedly cool with ocean breezes, balmy temperatures, palm trees and perfect blue skies. You can see why many folks love it here.
Angel Gibson was our Mistress of Ceremonies for the class, and her loving and joy shone through as she welcomed everyone, both online and in the Brentwood Ballroom. The class was sponsored by Peace Theological Seminary and College of Philosophy and the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness.
Angel brought us into a focus by calling in the Light, and leading us in chanting the Ani-Hu, Hu being an ancient name for God. She reminded those online where they could find technical support for the broadcast, and made a few suggestions for getting the greatest value out of the class. We then watched a couple of video Moments of Peace with John-Roger and John Morton, on the theme of inner awareness.
Angel introduced John by recounting a story of a golf tournament played recently in Ojai, California, in which John was featured prominently as a patient and generous teacher of the fine art of putting.
John graciously took the stage, and he mentioned first that there were people taking the class online from all over the world, including Central African Republic. He then read an email from a subscriber who had asked him to clarify a Loving Each Day quote about “enjoying what is upsetting.” John expanded on the subject, describing a pure joy, like a continuous fountain or brook, which is available if one is looking for Other Than Upset. Then John led us in an exercise in attunement with the Divine through breathing, which brought a sweet calm and peace into the room.
We next listened to John-Roger’s Meditation of Understanding, which uses breathing, the Light, and the Hu chant as a focus. Keeping that lovely meditation energy going, John Morton followed that by leading us in the So-Hawng meditation which is useful for balancing thoughts and emotions. Next John instructed us in doing the “E-e-e-e Chant”, which brings one into greater awareness of the physical body after meditation.
In demonstrating the next meditation, the Ra meditation, John said that this can be used for immediate bursts of energy. We all chanted the “Ra” together 3 times (the suggested number of times to do this chant), and again, we also chanted the E-e-e tone after the Ra to bring us back to our physical awareness.
In taking questions from those in the class, John heard first from an Internet participant in Seattle, where a student asked, “How can I work through my resistance more quickly?” John reminded us that there is no urgency in Spirit, and not to judge our process.
A man in the Ballroom asked a question about a health issue, and John very lovingly brought attention to the process of loving our self, our situation, our caregivers, and finding the gratitude.
A few questions had to do with Spiritual Exercises, and John’s responses pointed toward focusing intention, giving it all to God, and letting go of attachment.
An Internet participant asked what the spiritual purpose of menopause is, and that brought a laugh from the group in the Ballroom. John’s answer reminded us that we are bigger than any condition and we can use all things to lift and persevere.
John closed with a video of John-Roger speaking a prayer at the Day of Prayer and Remembrance, held just after 9/11, on September 14, 2001.
To participate in an archives of the “Inner Worlds of Meditation” classes, Part 1 & 2, online go to www.msia.org/class.
Study materials related to the class at 25% off, are available online at www.msia.org/store.
The next webcast class is scheduled for Sunday, July 30th, at 1:00 p.m. pacific daylight time with John Morton facilitating “Exploring the Three Selves.” You can come in person to the class at 2101 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica, CA, or participate online at www.msia.org/live.
