If you’re new to meditation, then this particular exercise will launch you on your journey to developing a more peaceful life. The meditation exercise is as simple as breathing but not necessarily as easy as breathing. But with practice, you can begin to cultivate the fruit of the spirit “peace” with ease:
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-3 NLT)
Out of the nine outgrowths of a Spirit-filled life, choose to focus on the word “peace.”
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. However, the word shalom means more than just peace. It also means completeness, wholeness, health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
1. Find a comfortable place without distraction to practice this exercise.
2. Close your eyes and bring your attention to the awareness of your breath. Breathe deeply, inhaling and exhaling for about two minutes.
3. Focus on the word peace. When thoughts wander, simply return to the word peace. Don’t stress out if you find yourself thinking about something else; simply bring yourself back to your word peace. Hold this word for about two minutes, then let it go, sitting in the presence of God–Shalom. Whenever you are ready, you may open your eyes.
4. Focus your attention on the word peace daily, throughout the day, for seven consecutive days.
2. Feel free to create images representing that word in your mind.
3. Whenever you encounter someone or sense an emotional shift that tempts you to move away from this state of being, allow yourself to be immersed in the awareness of the word. Be mindful of how the word “peace” calls you to reflect and manifest in that moment—especially when your mind is screaming for you to do the opposite. Ask yourself how you can be a conduit of peace in this moment.
From Anatomy of the Soul by Dr. Curt Thompson
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