Step 9 Meditation I make direct amends wherever possible,
Except when to do so would cause injury.
In step 9 you'll approach those on your list whom you've injured and do your best to make amends in ways most appropriate to each person and situation.
It may be that some people on your list will present a challenge because of your feelings that they've also caused injury to you.
But step 9 is not about soliciting apologies or amends from others.
It's about you making amends for your own actions.
In order for you to sincerely apologize it may be necessary for you to first release any anger or resentment you hold toward those on your list and come into neutrality toward them.
This meditation will help you do that.
Guided Meditation Make yourself comfortable and close your eyes.
Take a slow deep breath and let go of any tension in your body as you feel yourself sinking into the surface you're resting on,
Becoming still more comfortable and relaxed.
Take another slow deep breath and feel a sense of calm and peace begin to fill you as you relax further.
Take another slow deep breath and let your thinking begin to wind down and smooth out as you become still comfortable and relaxed.
Imagine you've been sleeping a deep sound sleep for many hours and you're just beginning to stir awake and the first thing you notice is that you're waking up on a soft bed of pine needles on the ground surrounded by ancient fir trees.
It's just before dawn and the air is quite cool the light is dim and there's a foggy mist in the air.
You can smell the scent of pine and the damp coolness of the earth.
It's quiet and any sound is blanketed by the mist.
Everything is a palette of soft greens,
Browns and greys.
Standing up you begin to walk along a path through the trees and you can feel the spongy ground beneath your feet.
Perhaps you still feel a bit foggy from your sleep but soon you come to a little spring.
Cup your hands to get a drink and splash some of the cool clear water on your face.
Now you're beginning to wake up a bit and see the trees and plants that surround you more clearly.
Look for the fallen log you found in the previous meditation and you'll see it nearby.
Find a comfortable spot and have a seat.
Enjoy the beauty and quiet here and allow this peaceful place to support you as you begin your inner work.
Drop down from your thinking self into your feeling self and go deeply into your own heart.
Here in your heart you can set aside worries and concerns and focus on the essential qualities in life that are most important and most supportive to your well-being.
Things like love,
Honesty and compassion for yourself and others.
At your core in your heart these qualities are as natural as breathing and here in your heart you may also find your connection to God.
In the step 8 meditation you made preparations to make amends.
Now it's time to make sure you're ready to proceed.
Consider one of the people with whom you need to make amends toward whom you may hold some form of animosity.
In order for you to complete this step and become free you must first let go of any anger,
Resentment,
Judgment,
Jealousy or any other negative feelings towards that person.
With God's help you can do that now.
Imagine that person as a small child of about 3 to 5 years old.
Take a good look at them and you'll notice someone innocent,
Vulnerable and in need of love just as you were at that age.
No matter what they may have done as they grew older that small child is still living within them as yours lives within you.
We've all made mistakes but as different from one another we may seem inside we're all just about the same.
The past is past and it's time to forgive that person now and move on.
It's not your job to change or fix anyone only God can do that.
God forgives and you can as well.
Ask for God's help for you to forgive that person now and take a deep breath.
Soon you'll feel a wave of light begin to pass through you.
Take some time now to experience that wave of light moving through you from head to foot and allow any negativity within you toward that person to be dissolved by the light and release.
Breathe deeply and let it go.
Consider another person with whom you need to make amends toward whom you may hold some form of animosity.
Imagine that person is a small child.
Notice that they are innocent vulnerable and in need of love just as you were at that age and realize that inside today you and that person share the same basic needs for love safety and support.
Set aside any need you may have to harm change or fix that person now.
Ask for God's help for you to forgive them and take a deep breath.
Soon you'll feel a wave of light begin to pass through you.
Take some time now to experience that wave of light moving through you from head to foot and allow any negativity within you to be dissolved by the light and release.
Breathe deeply and let it go.
Consider one more person with whom you need to make amends toward whom you may hold some form of animosity.
Imagine that person as a small child of about three to five years old.
Notice that they are innocent vulnerable and in need of love just as you were at that age and realize that inside today you and that person share the same basic needs for love safety and support.
Set aside any need you may have to harm change or fix that person now.
Ask for God's help for you to forgive them and take a deep breath.
Soon you'll feel a wave of light begin to pass through you.
Take some time now to experience that wave of light moving through you from head to foot and allow any negativity within you to be dissolved by the light and release.
Breathe deeply and let it go.
It's almost time to bring this inner journey to a close.
So gather together anything you have learned that you would like to bring with you.
Gradually bring your awareness back into your body and your physical surroundings.
Take a slow deep breath and on the exhalation begin to wiggle your fingertips bringing new life and energy slowly back into your body.
Take your time and when you're ready gently open your eyes and feel awake,
Alert and refreshed.
Pick up your pen and paper and write about your experience now while it's still fresh in your mind.
Later on revisit this meditation and learn more.
