Choose a quiet place reserved for meditation; a corner of a room, even a closet can be converted to make space. Sit on a cushion or chair with your back held straight, hands folded in lap, eyes closed. Sitting before a low table with candle, burning incense and flowers is conducive to peace.

Begin even breathing: Counts 1, 2 breathe in; counts 3, 4 breathe out; counts 5, 6 breathe in; to 50 or another even number.

Stop counting and just continue to breathe evenly. Reflect on the day's events. Decide what to do about a situation that is unresolved. Re-evaluate your goals, if necessary. Plan the next day's actions to harmonize with the best for all concerned, preserving personal peace of mind in the process.

Keep a journal at your side and reflect on long-range goals. In subsequent meditations note your progress. Also, a journal used in this way becomes a valuable tool for recording issues you are going through at the time. Writing is one way to work out sticky problems in an objective rather than emotional way.

Finish the meditation with prayers or affirmations for personal and world peace. Stand up and stretch, refreshed.

It is my hope and prayer in the New Year that in holiness we manifest all that is good and useful for our world as a whole; our beloved Creator-Sustainer providing the model for molding our lives into harmonious alignment.

In this natural world we encounter a parallel world of opposites. By our free will we carry attitudes and thoughts, and create things and situations that we think will give us happiness now and later.

Sit in a quiet place; light a candle and burn some incense if you like; fold your hands in your lap; and close your eyes. Begin even, regular breathing such as 2 counts to breathe in; 2 counts to breathe out; 2 counts to breathe in and continue the rhythm without saying the counts while reflecting on the following thoughts:

We choose. Choices made for positive and good create peace of mind and harmony now, right in this moment, and set the ball rolling along a positive track in the future.

When we are in harmony with people and the environment we feel complete and whole - fulfilled, at ease in our body and peaceful. This is our natural wholeness and holiness. What is of Spirit is for everyday living. What else matters? If we had an esoteric thought that could not be applied to making everyday an experience of joy, why partake of it?