#58 The Freeways Of Your Mind

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION REFLECTIONS #58 12-17-16

The Freeways of Your Mind

Reflections on John Main and Laurence Freeman’s Christian Meditation Lectures  

Presented by The World Community for Christian Meditation  

www.wccm.org or www.wccm-usa.org

Mary Sargent

When I was a child, my family went on many car trips up and down the California coast.  Sometimes, my father would have to pull over at a rest area if he was getting too tired to drive, and the family would take a nap in the car.  I remember the sound of the freeway with the cars rumbling by loudly, and then the engine sounds trailing off into the silence of the night.  But even during the wee small hours of the morning, there is always the sound of cars on the freeway.

During meditation, our minds can be like freeways.  Sometimes it is rush hour and we have a hundred cars containing more thoughts rushing by than we can ever count.  Sometimes the traffic of thoughts is light and we can actually catch a few moments of silence.

There was a song by Jerry Jeff Walker in the 1970’s called LA Freeway:   

If I can just get off of that L.A. freeway
Without getting killed or caught
Down that road in a cloud of smoke
For some land that I ain’t bought bought bought
If I can just get off of that L.A. freeway

So how do we get our minds out of that LA Freeway-mode?  We find a quiet place away from the freeway.  We take a few deep breaths, relax, and ask for help.  We ask for Jesus Christ to help us clear our minds.  We keep asking for help every time our thoughts distract us from saying the mantra.

Advent is the perfect time to meditate.  We are waiting for Christmas and focused on the Christ-child’s birth.  With all the hustle bustle of the Christmas season, it’s important to slow down and remember the reason for the season – Jesus.  Christmas can be overwhelming.  There is so much to do.  Dotting all the “I’s” and crossing all the “t’s” in Christmas can be anxiety-making.  We have to keep our Christmas spirits high.  The negativity of the news, dismal movies and music can really bring us down. Go to the mantra to keep your Christmas spirits bright.  Steer clear of negativity in all its forms and look to the “star of wonder, star of light.”