Two Guided Meditations

Meditation on Equanimity

I have been hurt by what took place
The experience has left its pain and its wounds
There has been an anguish and distress over past events
I am not ready to forgive because of what happened
I cannot turn around my emotions that easy
Yet I do not want to keep burning up inside
That means that the past still dominates my present.
So let me try to get on with my life today
Let me develop equanimity to what was
In order to keep steady with what is
There is no reason to place pressure on myself to forgive
But I will keep the intention to move on from the past
To maximise my contact with the present.
In time, I may come to forgive as a way of
Transcending the situation. It will show that the events
No longer have control over my life.
Equanimity also shows a true wisdom of the heart
As does forgiveness.

Meditation on the Sangha

The word Sangha literally means "gathering." It refers to two or more people gathered together to explore the Dharma, that is teachings and practices to enlighten our life. The three jewels - the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha - have more value than possession of all the jewels of all the world’s royal families. .
I regard the Sangha as supportive friends
I place my trust and confidence in the Sangha
I regard the Sangha as worthy of deepest respect
I take my inspiration from the Sangha
So that I can let go of what I need to let go of
Renounce what I need to renounce
Develop what I need to develop
And overcome what I need to overcome.
Through my commitment to the Sangha
I pay respect to the Sangha.
Without the Sangha, I fall back on my self,
With its unwise and unskilful tendencies.
With the support of the Sangha, I can see clearly
So that I fall back on wisdom within
And truly act in a noble way.
I know that my teachers belong to the Sangha
Support the Sangha and nourish the Sangha.
And that my teachers and seniors in the Sangha
Welcome the wisdom of the Sangha so that they
Remain true to a noble way of life.
The Sangha is worthy of attention, worthy of merit,
Worthy of support, worthy of commitment.
May I be willing to give support to the Sangha
Through time, energy, work, practice, offerings, sums of money
And frequent presence so that the Sangha abides
In unity, in love and in harmony while
Always remaining respectful to the Noble Ones, and their love of
Liberation and an Enlightened Life.