You never know what will happen when you practice meditation. The following happened to me in November, 1995.

I asked my friend, John, to explain how he practiced meditation. He told me that he starts with some muscle relaxation and breathing techniques. Then he instructed me to close my eyes. I heard John's quiet voice, almost whisper-like, as he began to describe the ocean shoreline. His description was so vivid that I could almost smell the ocean. He described the water rushing up onto the sand, the waves crashing in the distance, the birds flying over the water, and the white billowing clouds floating high above.

I could see it all as if I was standing right there in the water. All of a sudden the ocean was gone. I could no longer hear John's voice. I saw a different image in that moment. I saw Jesus on the cross. I saw blood dripping from His hands. I saw His head down, a thorn crown around it, and a tear falling along His left cheek. All of these images came together like a jigsaw puzzle, and I realized I was looking at the crucifixion.

Fear gripped me like a chokehold. Suddenly, a bright white light enveloped the image. Through the light I saw His head start to lift. The thorn crown was gone, there was no more tear, and I could see Him smiling. As He came through the light, I could see that the cross was gone, His arms were spread wide open, and a pure white robe covered His body. It trailed all the way to the ground making Him look like an angel. He gazed straight into my eyes, as if He was looking into my soul. He moved His hands and arms towards me as if to welcome me into His embrace. I felt nothing but peace.

After Jesus had reached out to me, my eyes opened. I felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from me. I realized that God knew my heart and that He had already forgiven me. I needed to forgive myself and look ahead, not behind. God had given me just a sample of the divine forgiveness, love and compassion that is available to all.

What I have discovered over the past eight and a half years is that prayer and meditation keep me in the presence of God daily. Some days I call it the walking prayer. Whenever something difficult comes up I ask God, "What would you have me do or be in this situation?" Then I sit quietly and wait for His answer. The answer always comes.

Guy H., West Los Angeles
Guyhinla@aol.com

Posted 11-15-03

[Guy informs us that meditation is one of the disciplines which has helped him recover from alcoholism, one day at a time.]