Lessons from Meditation 7-16-16

Each Shabbat morning our Meditation Plus group comes together and such a rich discussion is born.  And with all that is going on in the world today, we each shared our sadness and anxiety about the state of the news and we were all grateful for our meditation and the opportunity to learn together.

I led the meditation and Taly led the study.

I began with a chant from Rabbi Shefa Gold:
Not just every year, week or day, but every single moment we can choose Life. This means choosing to let go of a negative thought or judgement; it means choosing to live with uncertainty; choosing the kind word or generous attitude; choosing to let go of tension and relax.  In every moment we can choose to "be chosen" by God for the best possible Life, for the life we were meant to live fully.  In each moment, we can choose to accept the gifts, challenges, opportunities and responsibilities that we are being given.  Rabbi Shefa Gold's Chant "Choose Life: Uvacharta Bachayyim"

Following the chant, I led the following meditation:

After the news this week, Rabbi Shefa Gold’s chant was just what we needed.  Choose Life.  As we focus on our breath, listen to your breath, feel your lungs as you inhale and exhale. Our breath is the essence of our life.  Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.

A few weeks ago, I heard the phrase “Your ears should hear what your mouth says.” I posted on Facebook to see if anyone knew who authored it.  And then, thanks to Rabbi Cantor Hillary Chorny, she immediately responded with the source - Rabbi Yose in the Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Talmud) Halakha 4, mishnah 4.  She shared that it is a teaching about the shema and how your prayers should be loud enough for you to hear them, but quiet enough so not to distract.

The quote intrigued me and I really thought about how I can apply it to my work.  But once I did that, this quote still fascinates me, haunts me, and reminds me of how important my words can empower and distract others. 

In our meditation practice, we focus on the silence.  We embrace the power of silence and while we sit next to each other, we are alone in our minds and are hearts.  Our breath empowers us, allows us to live and when we take time to align our hearts, minds, and breaths, we find a momentary peace.  Let’s take time today to start with our breath and as we breath in and out, connect the breath to our hearts and minds. 

Take a deep breath.  Feel it go through your body.  Where do you feel it most – in your lungs, are your lungs full?  In your diaphragm?  Does your stomach extend?  Does your chest expand?  Take another deep breath and where do you feel this one, is it the same? Is it different?

Take a deep breath. What goes through your mind?  Let it go.  Focus on how your breath affects your mind.  Is your mind running?  Thoughts jumping around.  Take a breath and quiet your mind.  Let the breath free your thoughts and focus only on your breath.  Allow your breath to empty your mind. 

As we sit in silence, focus on your breath and use it to keep your mind clear.  We will sit for 10 minutes.

 Following our meditation, we had a beautiful discussion about our experiences in the quiet.   

Taly began the study with a brief description of parashat Hukkat.  We spoke a lot about the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, and the even how Moses is told by God that he will die before the Israelites enter the Promised Land.  Taly brought a very moving article by Rabbi Lisa Edwards that appeared in The Jewish Journal two years ago, but was so relevant to our conversation. 

Rabbi Lisa Edwards: Torah portion Hukkat - time flies

We also spoke about the power of meditation, guided and silent which reminded me of an extraordinary documentary: The Dhamma Brothers, about bringing a mediation program prisons.

But, what struck me most this morning and has stayed with me all day is the powerful description of Miriam's death and with her death, there was no water.  Thinking about this in relation to losing those we love, I immediately thought about how when a significant person in our lives passes way, a characteristic we love about them dies with them.  Like Miriam's well, our loved one's characteristic nourished us and was a vital part of our lives.  With the loved one gone, that healing, and giving quality is gone.  How sad that such a significant gift in one's life is no longer with us. Our memory is strong, but like with Miriam, the well is gone.

I'm blessed to have such incredible people surrounding me.  I'm grateful for Meditation Plus.

May it be a peaceful week for all.