A Testimonial from a Wayfinder  

I am learning so much from the group. I really like the practice of affirming without judgment. This is a technique we ought to use more often with family and friends and coworkers. I feel like I learn something new during each call. Also, learning to be aware of what is draining my energy, where I see God and what I'm grateful for...all building self-awareness and strengthening my grateful heart. And, I love hearing everyone's perspective. Yes, indeed I have more peace and fulfillment.

Lynn A., San Marcos, TX

  

Guide for Wayfinders’ Meetings:
Thy Will Be Done on Earth . . . .(11th Step)

from Journey from Head to Heart:  Living and Working Authentically

Step 11:  Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

How We Became Wayfinders

 Wayfinding is a metaphor for the spiritual journey that was inspired by the story of how the Hawaiian Islands were settled. The islands arose in the middle of the Pacific Ocean through volcanic activity from the ocean floor. Obviously, when land first appeared and grew, no people were there. Yet, when Captain James Cook and his fellow English explorers arrived there in the early 1700’s, after the sextant and compass had been invented as navigational tools, they found people living on the islands—and they had been there for generations. Where did they come from? The islands are not close to any land mass.
 

The best explanation is that they came from Micronesia, the islands off the east coast of Asia, through the ancient art of Wayfinding. Wayfinders sensed that there was land out there. In boats made of tree trunks, they set out to find it. To guide them, they memorized the star pattern on the day they set out. They learned to “read” and be guided by the winds, the water, and the sea animals. They found land and inhabited it.
 

Using this metaphor, we believe it is possible for God’s will to be done on earth/for us to realize our heart's desire. This is our destination. We believe we get very distracted and even confused through all the activity and pressures of human life. We want more awareness of God’s presence and guidance in every aspect of our lives—at home, at work, at school, at church, in family, in friendships, in every corner of our lives. We pray only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry it out.

What We Know and Why We are Here

God is Love. God is Truth. God is Light. When we speak the truth in love, we call God into being present with us. We open ourselves to enlightenment and turn our lives over to God, asking God to live through us and do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. In this meeting, we follow these disciplines:
· We speak from our hearts.
· We listen to each other and to God without interrupting or giving advice.
· We avoid religious language because we don’t want to dilute the power of the presence of God with the teaching of a single institution.
· We keep sacred what we hear in this place at this time.
In this way, we create space that is safe and sacred enough for God’s presence.

Heart Meditation

Place both feet on the floor, with your hands resting gently in your lap. Close your eyes and take 4 long, deep breaths--all the way from your navel. Slowly count to 4 on the inhale and 4 on the exhale. Fill your whole chest cavity as you inhale.

Now place your hand over your heart. Feel the warmth from the palm of your hand penetrating your skin, warming the area around your heart. Now, tune in to the beating of your heart. You may not be able to feel it with your hand, but you certainly will be able to sense the steady pulsations.

Realize that this heart started beating in the third week after your conception. You were a tiny mass of cells. In a moment, some of those cells started pulsating, and ever since that moment, your heart has been faithfully pumping liquids, nutrition, oxygen throughout your system, sustaining your life. So take just a moment to send your love and appreciation to your heart for so faithfully sustaining your life.

Because your heart has been with you from the very beginning, it has seen it all. You have hidden nothing from your heart. So your heart has wisdom about what is good and right for you. Give your heart permission to reveal that to you, to connect with your head, and lead you in the path of truest wisdom in doing what is authentic and right for you.

(Pause)

Now take another long, deep breath--maybe two. Place your hand once more in your lap. Roll your shoulders and your neck. Open your eyes.

The Process

1. We ask God to be present with us. (Each person, in turn, makes the request.) Ask God to make you aware of his presence in every cell of your body and every molecule in the air around you.
2. Truthfully say what is in your heart, both gratitude and depleting energy. (In turn, each speaks this truth.) We acknowledge that we must be truthful about depleting energy--usually our negative reaction to circumstances beyond our control. Stating the depletion out loud to attentive listeners sets us free to become more fully who we authentically are. It's an emotional cleansing that clears the path for spiritual growth.
3. Tell recent stories of how you have noticed God showing up in your life. (In turn, tell the stories. You are speaking to God.)
4. Ask for what you want out loud and say what you’re putting in God’s hands. (God wants us to ask for what we need and then acknowledge that, ultimately, what we really want is that God’s will be done.) In turn, affirm and truly visualize the highest and best for yourself and each other. Close with the full version of the Serenity Prayer.

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To connect with other Wayfinders, blog your experience on this site .