"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."
Tuesday
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."
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