Tuesday, November 01, 2016

A Meditation for Day of the Dead

Honoring Your Ancestors:
A Guided Meditation

Sit someplace you won't be disturbed and close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Imagine yourself surrounded by a bright white light. Think about who you are, what you are made of, and know that everything within you is the sum of all your ancestors. From thousands of years ago, generations of people have come together over the centuries to create the person you are now. Your strengths, your weaknesses, they came from somewhere long before you were you. This is a time to honor the ancestors who formed you.
One by one, think of the ancestors you know who are departed. Recite their names or your genealogy -- aloud if you like -- as far back as you can go. As you say each name, you can describe the person and anything you know about their life. An example might go something like this:

I am the daughter of Alan, who loved the world of words and woods
and walks beside me still.
Alan was the son of Bess and Ned,
who met in New York City, dentists and intellectuals,
Bess was an activist and Ned was quiet, contemplative.
Bess was the daughter of Riva, who sailed
to America across the Black Sea
wearing a necklace of glass beads, a present from her mother...


and so forth. Go back as far as you like, elaborating in as much detail as you choose. Once you can go back no further, end with "those whose blood runs in me, whose names I do not yet know."
Once you are through, sit quietly and ask for any guidance or messages that your ancestors would like you to receive. During this time just breathe and be aware of the thoughts and images that come into your mind. If you see an image or a man or woman unknown to you, ask their name. Speak to them. See if they will respond. If you happened to meet a certain ancestor, or their archetype, during your meditation, before you come out, take a moment to thank them for stopping by. Write down any information, thoughts or impressions they may have given you. Even if it doesn't make sense just now, it may later on when you give it some more thought, or when the time for you to know is right.

(Borrowed from Patti Wigington with my own amendments. If you like it, please visit her website for more!)