If you are a follower of this blog, you know what a fan I am of singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer:

I have featured a number of her songs in my “metta music” posts:

Metta music-This Too Will Pass

Metta music-When One Door Closes

Metta Music-Love Calls and Waits for an Answer-Be True!

As these posts say, her songs have a spirituality that only a genuine humanity can reveal. Her songs are never preachy, and yet they always seem to point to some deeper truth.

Today, at her website, Carrie shares a wonderful and powerful meditation based on the “namaste” greeting. As she says:

“This mediation grew out of contemplating the phrase ‘namaste’. The interpretations are varied but one common translation would be ‘That which is of God in me greets that which is of God in you’. I love the idea that when we meet, that our first action is not to say, where are you from, or why are yo in my way, or what do you do for a living. The first phrase is simply I see the sacred in you. I recognize it because there is that of the sacred in me as well.”

While the language of the meditation reflects Carrie’s Christian background as a Quaker, or Friend, I think any open-hearted person would find the meditation she offers helpful.

In the instructions, the focus of the meditation is expansion of the Great Light within us, which is described in terms of the Light of God. Yes, this is a Buddhist-oriented site, but look, the Great Light is simply the Great Light. Give it whatever name you want; my experiences tells me it is a reality that can be seen and felt in meditation, in metta practice, and in prayer.

In fact, I recently posted a marvelous metta meditation by Theravadan nun Ayya Khema that is very similar in feel and spirit:

Breathing in Peace-Breathing Out Love

I also think many Tibetan Buddhists would feel right at home with this kind of visualization meditation, though perhaps the focus might be on the Light or Love of the Bodhisattvas.

In any event, this is one damn fine meditation! I immediately put it too work—and it works! So, I urge you to stop by Carrie’s website and take a look for yourself. There are just 11 simple steps, but it’s a very powerful practice.

See:

Messages from Carrie – A Meditation – Idea One (Namaste Meditation)

♥♥♥

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