Indwelling of Grace, Seven Days of Omer 5783
Today is the seventh day of the Omer, which is one week in the year 5783. שכינה שבחסד, Shekhinah ShebeChesed, Indwelling of Grace.
Where Does Grace Live? In You.
This might be the hardest lesson for Jews. It’s certainly taken me seven years to see it. We understand what Grace is because we have experienced grace from other people. When we pause and settle into ourselves, we have the opportunity to pay attention to the Grace within.
We can make space for being soft.
We can make space for being vulnerable.
We can make space for not being in charge.
We can make space for Grace.
Allowing Moments Beyond Time
The reason Jews traditionally have three prayer services every day has nothing to do with God and everything to do with humans.
We need moments out of time to reconnect with the holiness within.
We need to reconnect with the Grace within.
We need to recharge our souls.
Create Space for Soul Every Day
What connects you most concretely with your soul? Good music? Photography? Paintings? Books? Other people?
Chew on the question. And try to make space for your soul every day.
Create Space Beyond Pharaoh
The Yetzer HaRa, the Inclination towards Destructiveness, can take on a persona within us. This is The Inner Pharaoh. When we make space for our souls, the first thing we need to do is put the Inner Pharaoh in a box. Or a locked room.
Tell your cynicism to take a smoke break.
Let your anxiety fly a kite.
Have your fear watch a horror movie in the dark.
Once you’ve dismissed the thoughts and emotions that bind you to where you stand, you can walk into a pool of calm.
Today is about Being, Not Improving
Yes, we are walking toward revelation. We don’t have to arrive anywhere until we arrive.
The Indwelling of Grace is not about Being a Nicer Person or Exuding Grace.
The Indwelling of Grace is about allowing ourselves to revel in reality. We are the only ones who can be us.
I am always the most Me I can be. You are the most You you can be.
Let us give thanks for the miracle of being alive.
Image by 🍀💜Anna💜🍀 from Pixabay.