The Cruise

This is an article about the power of meditation, affirmation, and visualization.

After listening to the first presidential debate of 2008, I went outside to experience the mild, fresh, Oregon night. Standing on our backyard patio deck, I gazed up at the inverted, black, sky bowl. Thousands of radiant, starlight, pin-pricks danced before my eyes.

For a moment, time stood still as I basked in the comforting glow of celestial constellations. Serenity permeated the slightly cool air. Mystical visions of weightlessness and floating power, flashed through my mind.

A part of me treasured this peaceful, spiritual silence. Another side intruded with some of the mental tapes of a stressful week.

I recall one of my female clients on probation, is deeply depressed that her boyfriend continues to cheat on her and he is using Ecstasy. Another woman can't return home to engage in counseling with her retired husband due to an assault four charge; they struggle with alcohol and gambling addictions.

A married couple with a history of Methamphetamine dependency, anxiety disorders, and explosive anger problems, couldn't stop screaming and verbally attacking each other in my office. Another woman molested by her grandfather as a child battles daily the urge to steal useless items from local stores, constantly obsessing about the best way to kill herself.

Lastly, a young man earlier in the day was arrested and put on a suicide watch. He had a gun in his car; was homeless; dependent on alcohol; sent a text message to his family that he was ready to die. My job is to try to help all of these people.

On a more personal note, my son Jason who is 38, found out he has a major hole in his esophagus. Our other son, Kiel age 35, called to say the doctor reported he has an enlarged heart. My wife Susan also suffers from chronic hip pain, and liver disease.

All of this on my mental plate, while two United States Senators debate over the most terrifying issues of our times.

So I put the stress tapes on pause by taking several deep breaths; inhaling for three seconds and exhaling slowly for six. Then I went back inside our home, and sat for a moment on our living room couch, illumined by soft lamp-light.

Looking at the light, I allowed myself to remember the cruise we took to the Mexican Riviera on the Oosterdam in January for seven heavenly days and nights. I visualized sitting on the white deck chair looking out at the endless, dark blue, almost black Pacific Ocean.

The Sun was warm on my face. Gentle, rolling waves refracted sunlight into twinkling, diamond stars.

To my amazement, I spot a school of Dolphins jumping wildly out of the water in cadence with the slight pitching motion of our ship. These sea clowns brought a smile to my face as I sat totally enthralled by their entertainment.

In a flash the show ended, replaced again by the infinite view of the sea. Taking another deep breath of the pleasantly cool, salty air, my eyes roamed the undulating horizon.

There in the distance between our ship and the horizon, jets of sea spray cascade down like fountains from the blow holes of mighty whales. Oh my; what a glorious sight to behold.

Unfortunately, the pod of whales, vanish too quickly from my view. I feel my eyelids grow heavy with absolute peace and contentment. I surrender to a complete sense of letting go, which actually returns my focus back to the soft light in our living room.

My wife Susan has decided to go to bed. I kiss her goodnight, and I linger for a few more moments on the couch, promising to join her later.

Silently, I affirm, over and over, "I am one with you Dear Lord." I close my eyes, and imagine the nightly starlight merges with the glittering light of the sea. A ball of this conglomeration hovers in front of me, back on the deck of the cruise boat. Smiling with relief and joy, I step into the Love-Light.