Two Days of Omer Limits of Grace
Today is two days of the Omer in the year 5783. גבורה שבחסד, Gevurah ShebeChesed, Limits within Grace. The human soul expands beyond its previous limits through spiritual discipline.
Spiritual Practice, Spiritual Discipline
What does it mean to have a spiritual practice? How is that different from spiritual discipline? I think the main difference is how much grace we give ourselves for not living up to the things we want to do. Perhaps, from a within Chesed, everything we do is practice. Next week, from within Gevurah, the power of discipline will be dominant.
So what is daily spirituality?
Whatever we do, it should be something that helps us get a little less connected from the ego self. In Biblical Hebrew, the lev, the heart, is the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This is roughly what I mean by ego self. By recognizing that we are meant to see beyond our personal perspective, we expand our consciousness. We help ourselves connect better with the world around us and the world within us deepens.
In secular Western culture, there has been a surge in “mindfulness practice” to get to this place. Though, often, the place of mindfulness becomes a dry well because Western society forced it to sever ties with the spirit and soul.
The spirit sometimes flies ahead of us and tickles us with premonitions and déjà vu. The soul is quiet and deep within, yearning for a chance to connect with us and with others.
Prayer and Community
My spiritual practice is prayer and community. When I make space for prayer, my soul expands and my spirit soars. If prayer doesn’t do this for you, then I pray you find a teacher to help you find your way into it. Prayer is not about asking a deity for things and receiving them. God is not a waitress. Prayer is about reminding ourselves of the holiness of life and sinking into the flow of the universe.
Community: beginning with the family I created. Sometimes, I chafe at the constrictions of this family. My mind wanders back to my mid-20s when I was healthy and free of responsibilities. I’m not sure what that part of me misses more: unabashed physical health, dancing the night away, or being able to sleep in.
When I reign in my Yetzer HaRa, my inclination towards destructiveness, I recall how soul expanding it is to have a family. To have children I grew in my body, nourished with my own milk, and have the privilege of watching grow into themselves. And how lucky I am to have a partner who encouraged me to lean into my soul’s journey: from wearing a head covering every day to going to rabbinical school to moving for a pulpit to making dinner most nights because I’m so physically exhausted.
Of course, the community of my synagogue, Temple Israel of Alameda, is a huge part of my life and my spiritual growth. Serving people and learning with people, and co-leading an institution that is over 100 years old is such a deep honor.
I cannot believe our luck at landing in Alameda. The friendliness of our school community, the focus on arts-integration in our children’s elementary school, and the greenery of the Bay Area are overwhelming. I am filled with awe that we arrived here in this place. I pray we are able to stay for a long time.
Make Time for Community
Even more than any other spiritual practice, I pray you make time for community. If you still take Covid seriously, I understand. Nevertheless, in whatever ways you can, find time to connect with others. If possible, in person. Without people, our lives are so diminished. Try to build something with other people beyond work. Together, you will strengthen one another and help heal this broken world.
Image by Manuel Enriquez from Pixabay.