While camping on Mount Monadnock I had a most vivid dream. A person I am fond of was saying to me "wake-up". They said it repeatedly and with increasing volume and insistence. I discounted it until I thought about two other very odd experiences during the trip, one involving an owl and another a dragon fly. Both of these could also be conveying that message "wake-up". And perhaps it is not only to me but to others as well. But the question still remained, what is it that I am, that we, are supposed to wake up from? What is it that I am, that we, are supposed to wake up to?
One possible answer came through the studying of that week's Torah portion. The Israelites have come to the end of their long journey through the desert. They are getting instructions from God before they cross the Jordan. They are about to start a brand new kind of life, a lifestyle that none of them, for many generations back, have ever experienced. This requires a substantial leap of faith. They had to trust in God that they will be shown where to go and how to live. They needed to have faith that everything is going to be fine. The promise was there, they were given an opportunity. But maybe it was like a dress rehearsal where mistakes are made so improvement can happen.
Perhaps just so for us except now it is the real thing. We are about to cross over into the actual performance. And we could find that what we thought was reality was illusion. We too, are on the cusp of great change, on the brink of enlightenment. Now is the time for those of us who can, to wake up. A new life could be just ahead. A life in which the bubble we call our ego is dissolved and we fully experience the connection that exists between all of us and all that is, with that which is one and eternal. At this moment we might have little concept of how it will feel or what we are to do. But we can know that it will all be for the good, that everything is going to be fine. What's to worry? The finite, material world is less then a blink of an eye. We can rest and be comforted with the knowledge that we are going to a land that is truly flowing with metaphysical milk and honey, that Creator will, and is, showing us the way. What are we waiting for? All we have to do is pick up the challenge and let go of the fear.
Each of us has a choice. We actually make it everyday. What are your life priorities? Where is Spirit the most present for you? Shall we wake-up and cross over together or will we hold back? It could be great fun to take that leap together, leap into the arms of universal, unconditional love; that glorious light of all that is. It is given to us by Creator as a birthright to make our own and to settle in. What a marvelous adventure! And maybe all we need to do is open our eyes and wake-up to the promise.
Tuesday
Choose to be happy
Choose
Choose to be happy
Its within your control
check out: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/when-a-brain-scientist-suffers-a-stroke/
Choose to be happy
Its within your control
check out: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/when-a-brain-scientist-suffers-a-stroke/
Sunday
Lessons on Preparation 5/18
Hearing is a vital part of a spiritual life. Hearing, whether with ears, or mind or soul, leads to learning Creator's instructions for how to live a life in tune with this eternal source of love. This week I learned about an instruction that has maybe almost never has been fully carried out; to leave all the fields in Israel (about the size of New Jersey) fallow, at rest for a full year once every seven years. No tilling the soil, no pruning vines, no sowing seed. What a leap of faith! God promised that people would be fed in much the same way as the manna fell for a double portion on the day before Shabbat. But not cultivating the soil for a year requires an extreme level of faith and commitment. Faith is an essential component of a spirit connected life but a year's worth of food could mean mass starvation.
It's called a Shabbat for the land. As I thought about this I realized it would theoretically be doable with some safety if the farmers took great care and attention to prepare for this event. Keeping the weeds out in the previous years would be important. In the sixth year leaving things to flower and to go to seed naturally would make sense. This is similar to a Jew preparing for Shabbat or any family or friends getting together to have a special dinner. The day before bread needs to be baked and before that supplies need to be brought. This is not something that can be really done well spontaneously. Shabbat in particular is a time for rest and connecting with God. But also important in bringing holiness into the world is the days, or years before in which we plan and do things that make the Shabbat, whether of the week or of the land, possible and pleasant. The lesson for me was that like a stone plopped into a pond, one event, Shabbat, initiates ripples (preparation) which moves the holiness out into the world. However we set time apart in our day or week or years to bringing holiness into the world brings that connection to Creator into our lives not only through the actual moment but the preparation that leads up to it.
The second lesson I learned was just as Shabbat or setting aside times of prayer leads to ripples of preparation, it is the preparation itself that makes Shabbat and those moments possible in the first place. Preparation involves clearly seeing options, planning, teamwork, cooperation and coordination. The later it is in the process the more vital to do as much as we can. It's not unusual for me to leave far too many details to the last minute. And what if our lives on this material, finite level are simply preparation for a life in eternity? Imagine sand running through an hour glass. At some point each of us reaches the end of this life, at some point humans will get to a point of spiritual transition. How do we prepare for that spiritual connection that breaks though all our limitations? Some would say Learn Torah and do Teshuva and mitzvot. In other words, do what we do to hear Creator's instructions, turn our life around in all the ways we need forgiveness and come back to Spirit, do acts of kindness, good deeds, and love, love each other and above all else love the Divine Presence, all those things that God asks of us.
Time might be short. What if we are down to the last few grains of sand in the hour glass? Who can know for sure. Its better to be prepared and have more time then not be prepared and have time run out. And regardless of where we are in the cycle of enlightenment, prioritizing prayer, cleaning-up and repairing those places where we need to make amends and spread kindness and compassion where ever we go will prepare us for eternity, redemption or at least abundant blessings in our lives. We will never pass this way again. What could be more important?
It's called a Shabbat for the land. As I thought about this I realized it would theoretically be doable with some safety if the farmers took great care and attention to prepare for this event. Keeping the weeds out in the previous years would be important. In the sixth year leaving things to flower and to go to seed naturally would make sense. This is similar to a Jew preparing for Shabbat or any family or friends getting together to have a special dinner. The day before bread needs to be baked and before that supplies need to be brought. This is not something that can be really done well spontaneously. Shabbat in particular is a time for rest and connecting with God. But also important in bringing holiness into the world is the days, or years before in which we plan and do things that make the Shabbat, whether of the week or of the land, possible and pleasant. The lesson for me was that like a stone plopped into a pond, one event, Shabbat, initiates ripples (preparation) which moves the holiness out into the world. However we set time apart in our day or week or years to bringing holiness into the world brings that connection to Creator into our lives not only through the actual moment but the preparation that leads up to it.
The second lesson I learned was just as Shabbat or setting aside times of prayer leads to ripples of preparation, it is the preparation itself that makes Shabbat and those moments possible in the first place. Preparation involves clearly seeing options, planning, teamwork, cooperation and coordination. The later it is in the process the more vital to do as much as we can. It's not unusual for me to leave far too many details to the last minute. And what if our lives on this material, finite level are simply preparation for a life in eternity? Imagine sand running through an hour glass. At some point each of us reaches the end of this life, at some point humans will get to a point of spiritual transition. How do we prepare for that spiritual connection that breaks though all our limitations? Some would say Learn Torah and do Teshuva and mitzvot. In other words, do what we do to hear Creator's instructions, turn our life around in all the ways we need forgiveness and come back to Spirit, do acts of kindness, good deeds, and love, love each other and above all else love the Divine Presence, all those things that God asks of us.
Time might be short. What if we are down to the last few grains of sand in the hour glass? Who can know for sure. Its better to be prepared and have more time then not be prepared and have time run out. And regardless of where we are in the cycle of enlightenment, prioritizing prayer, cleaning-up and repairing those places where we need to make amends and spread kindness and compassion where ever we go will prepare us for eternity, redemption or at least abundant blessings in our lives. We will never pass this way again. What could be more important?
Tuesday
Worship 4/20/08
"In jewish mysticism there is a concept of the tree of life which is made up of 10 sepherot or spheres. Each sphere is connected to others with tubes or pipes. Some think that the idea is that this form integrates into our individual and collective souls. The spheres are like values that regulate how much Light can come through us into the world. The less contaminates, the cleaner, clearer the pipes, the more Light comes through but too much or not balanced and everything explodes which is why there needs to be valves. Each valve has a particular aspect.
This morning I meditated on the juncture of spiritual knowledge (Da'at) that is connected to judgment or strength on the left (called Gevurah )and love, compassion, mercy connected on the right (Chesed). Down the middle, knowledge is connected to beauty (Tiferet). I realized that while gevurah and chesed balance each other there is tiferet, a middle point that grounds them both. This is an important message for me this morning. By focusing on beauty I have something that can hold me in that centered place. This is especially necessary during difficult times, times when it feels like we are attacked on the basis of our views and convictions with the aim to harm or silence us.
As I concentrate on the higher knowledge and the guidance I get from this source, my spiritual energy can feel like it swings back and forth in rapid succession between loving kindness and good judgment. However, if I learn to keep a firm hold on that pivot point of beauty which is all around us, in the depth of a flower, the song of a bird, the face of beloved friends I am greatly enriched. For each of us, by holding on to beauty we will keep our core firmly rooted in God's goodness. In this way the tree of life has total stability and we can build a Garden of Eden where each of us can grow in love, in light and find true peace."
This morning I meditated on the juncture of spiritual knowledge (Da'at) that is connected to judgment or strength on the left (called Gevurah )and love, compassion, mercy connected on the right (Chesed). Down the middle, knowledge is connected to beauty (Tiferet). I realized that while gevurah and chesed balance each other there is tiferet, a middle point that grounds them both. This is an important message for me this morning. By focusing on beauty I have something that can hold me in that centered place. This is especially necessary during difficult times, times when it feels like we are attacked on the basis of our views and convictions with the aim to harm or silence us.
As I concentrate on the higher knowledge and the guidance I get from this source, my spiritual energy can feel like it swings back and forth in rapid succession between loving kindness and good judgment. However, if I learn to keep a firm hold on that pivot point of beauty which is all around us, in the depth of a flower, the song of a bird, the face of beloved friends I am greatly enriched. For each of us, by holding on to beauty we will keep our core firmly rooted in God's goodness. In this way the tree of life has total stability and we can build a Garden of Eden where each of us can grow in love, in light and find true peace."
Worship 4/13/08
"A few weeks ago I went to the dentist for some rather extensive work and was given nitrous oxide. In the experience I sensed the vibration of life energy force. Humans I found operate at a very hight level, trees very, very slow; like an "eeee" as opposed to a "w-a-h, w-a-h. w-a-h". I felt that this place of vibration was one of the key spaces where we can connect our true selves with all of creation and the divine essence. At committee day in New Hampshire yesterday I found that the high level was increased to an extreme frenetic level. We were all so committed, wanting so much to help with the repair of the world, tikkun olam. One of the models that was put forward was Gandhi yet we also learned that he had seriously abused his wife and daughter and I realized that even the best of us, we are all so human; with incredible wonderfulness and serious flaws. That our humanness is something that we should not only try to understand in a spirit of forgiveness and acceptance but also find amusement and delight in all our quirkiness.
Committee day was gorgeous with bright sun and clouds so afterwards for about 3 hours I went to hike on Mt. Monadnock, oh my goodness! The ranger said the snow was half way up the calf in places and the rest was free flowing water melt. But I found it quite passable and beyond belief beautiful. After the wonderful high energy, it gave my life balance all that beauty and slow, low vibration. It was an awesome experience in the true sense of that word.
I again thought about the dentist experience and another thing that came from that was a prayer. "Oh God, all of us human beings are trying so very, very hard. Please, please have compassion." I realize that not only do we need this from God but I and we need to cultivate that compassion in our own hearts. We are all fabulous and flawed. Finding this compassion I and we can get to that place of balance, of beauty and peace. We can connect with the eternal Spirit of pure love and know that Light within. For over an hour on my trip back to the Cape I followed a rainbow and I know for certain that ultimately all is well."
Committee day was gorgeous with bright sun and clouds so afterwards for about 3 hours I went to hike on Mt. Monadnock, oh my goodness! The ranger said the snow was half way up the calf in places and the rest was free flowing water melt. But I found it quite passable and beyond belief beautiful. After the wonderful high energy, it gave my life balance all that beauty and slow, low vibration. It was an awesome experience in the true sense of that word.
I again thought about the dentist experience and another thing that came from that was a prayer. "Oh God, all of us human beings are trying so very, very hard. Please, please have compassion." I realize that not only do we need this from God but I and we need to cultivate that compassion in our own hearts. We are all fabulous and flawed. Finding this compassion I and we can get to that place of balance, of beauty and peace. We can connect with the eternal Spirit of pure love and know that Light within. For over an hour on my trip back to the Cape I followed a rainbow and I know for certain that ultimately all is well."
see the rainbows
I recently was on a walk that was gorgeous! As I stopped on a little bridge and looked into a stream the sun was to my side. My gray hair had fallen before my eyes and created prisms. I was literally seeing rainbows before my eyes. How cool is that! Anyway, it was delightful with honeysuckle leafing out but there was also a lot of mud. My mind went to the crossing of the Reed Sea and how the people complained about the mud. I understood because in the thickest part it could easily have taken off my shoes. Maybe some people got so stuck they couldn't move. Just so in life. People can get so stuck in obsessions or thinking badly about others, feeling disrespected, resentful, all that negative, self absorbed goop. Amelek tendencies attack us from behind. Those transcendent moments are incredibly important for spiritual connection and enlightenment but eventually we all, even Moses, have to come down the mountain.
When I was at a religious service this year at a bay, everyone was oohing about the myriad of fish darting back and forth. Soon I realized that what they were seeing was not the fish but their shadows. The light was such that the actual fish were virtually invisible. So often we focus on the shadow. We get fooled into thinking it is real. Some of us find it an easy way to fool each other, fool our family, fool even ourselves but we cannot (and I think this is of critical importance) we can never fool God. Creator knows everything, our very thoughts. All the rationalization justifications doesn't matter, we and our actions and attitudes are seen for what we are. On my walk I noticed that out of the mud was sprouting the skunk cabbage. The lesson was that the trick is to rise above the shadow, rise above the mud. Even when we know, see and maybe even experience it, understand that it does not have to influence or anchor us, we can just let it be and let it go and pull ourselves into the light. We can understand our connection to that Source of all and be the person we really are. This is where God knows us, in truth.
God doesn't want any of us to beat ourselves up, just get better and better, stronger and stronger in who we are - above the mud, beyond the shadow, in the Light. It is only when we are above the mud and shadow that this can be fully realized. And if we make the effort, God is there to help, the door is open.
When I was at a religious service this year at a bay, everyone was oohing about the myriad of fish darting back and forth. Soon I realized that what they were seeing was not the fish but their shadows. The light was such that the actual fish were virtually invisible. So often we focus on the shadow. We get fooled into thinking it is real. Some of us find it an easy way to fool each other, fool our family, fool even ourselves but we cannot (and I think this is of critical importance) we can never fool God. Creator knows everything, our very thoughts. All the rationalization justifications doesn't matter, we and our actions and attitudes are seen for what we are. On my walk I noticed that out of the mud was sprouting the skunk cabbage. The lesson was that the trick is to rise above the shadow, rise above the mud. Even when we know, see and maybe even experience it, understand that it does not have to influence or anchor us, we can just let it be and let it go and pull ourselves into the light. We can understand our connection to that Source of all and be the person we really are. This is where God knows us, in truth.
God doesn't want any of us to beat ourselves up, just get better and better, stronger and stronger in who we are - above the mud, beyond the shadow, in the Light. It is only when we are above the mud and shadow that this can be fully realized. And if we make the effort, God is there to help, the door is open.
Monday
great riches in difficult passages
God sometimes hardens peoples hearts to achieve a higher purpose; that if Pharaoh had said "sure, go with my blessings" there would have been no experiences that had potential for people to realize God's power, if they had permission to leave they wouldn't have developed the inner strength and courage for all the trials on a spiritual journey and if they were able to simply walk out exile they probably would not have ended up at Mt Sinai for that tremendous transcendent covenantal event. So holding onto resentments for those who have hardened their hearts against us can be counterproductive, we could be missing the larger picture of giving us the strength and courage, if we are indeed spiritually serious, that allows us to pass through and be brought into that perfect place.
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