Quote of the Week 158 - The Four Perfections

“In the Buddhist tradition there are four ‘perfections’ for which we strive – in our own non-striving way, of course: compassion, loving-kindness, equanimity, and joy.”

--Geri Larkin, Spirituality and Health magazine Sept/Oct 2010 issue

Quote of the Week 157 - Persistent Optimism

Many of the Hasidic rabbis were noted for their optimistic faith in their fellow men, which could not be weakened in the face of overwhelming evidence of man’s perverseness. “Rabbi,” one of the disciples complained, “some of the congregants are gossiping in the midst of prayer!” “How wonderful are Thy people, O Lord,” the rabbi retorted. “Even in the midst of gossip, they devote a few moments to prayer!”

--Source Forgotten

Quote of the Week 156 - Silence and Love

Silence is not the absence of something but the presence of everything.

Natural quiet allows us to fall in love with a place and appreciate how unique it is. Noise detaches us – not only from our surroundings but also from each other. Research shows that in noisy areas people are much less likely to help each other. That’s one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from being in natural silence: that we can begin to feel love for a place and, through it, for everything. This is crucial for the health of our planet because, when you love something, caring for it becomes effortless. Just as we care for the people we love without asking, “What will I get out of it?” so does love enable us to care for our world without running a cost-benefit analysis to see whether it’s “worth it.”

--Gordon Hempton, quoted in the article “Quiet, Please” by Leslee Goodman in the September 2010 edition of The Sun magazine. Hempton is an “acoustic ecologist” devoted to exploring, examining and recording the “silence” in various natural environments devoid of man-made noise, and advocating for establishing locations where silence prevails with little or no man-made noise. He is the coauthor of a book, One Square Inch of Silence: One Man’s Quest to Preserve Quiet.

There are many wonderful quotes about Silence in the Sunbeams section at the end of this edition.

Quote of the Week 155 - The Holy, the Unholy, and the Not Yet Holy

Open Orthodoxy “does not mean Orthodox-lite,” he says. “It is following the law but seeing the importance of the outside world: To paraphrase [the early 20^th century] Rabbi Kook, there is no such thing as the ‘unholy, there is only the holy and the not yet holy. The study of English, the study of chemistry, the study of art, all have the potential to be consistent with kedusha, to be holy.”

--From a Moment magazine article by Sarah Breger in the November/December 2010 issue regarding Rabbi Avi Weiss and his ordination of the first Open/Modern Orthodox female rabba, Sara Hurwitz

Meditation and the Bible, by Aryeh Kaplan

The following has been added to the Bibliography/Book Review article on Aryeh Kaplan:

I have now read Meditation and the Bible. It is quite interesting and inspiring. It validates many of the hunches I have had about the authenticity of Jewish meditation practices. He has conducted painstaking research, providing translations from little-known texts never before translated into English. He weaves together references to meditation and meditative states through his analysis of terminology that many scholars before him did not cognize. There is a heavy focus on the biblical Prophets and evidence that they entered meditative states in which they attained their prophetic revelations. He also refers to two hatha yoga-like prophetic postures, both of which are most likely variations on the child pose. There is also a focus on the Psalms as either tools for entering meditative states, or as descriptions of experienced meditative states. There is a particular focus on the 119^th Psalm, which curiously is organized in groupings of eight verses marked by each letter of the Hebrew alphabet per grouping. He points out that this particular Psalm contains a high number of references to words that relate to various forms of meditative states or techniques.

Quote of the Week 154 - The Smile That Is

Because a star explodes and a thousand worlds like ours die, we know this world is. That is the smile: that what might not be, is.

--Source forgotten

Quote of the Week 153 - Einstein's Not-God

I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own – a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty.

--Albert Einstein

Quote of the Week 152 - The Psalms, The Prophets, Lunacy and Enlightenment

It would…be of some interest to make an etymological analysis of the Hebrew name for the Psalms, which is Tehillim. This comes from the root Halal, which is normally translated as “to praise”. The Psalms are therefore most often simply viewed as nothing more than a series of praises to God.

The root Halal, however, has two other meanings which are very significant from our viewpoint. The first is that of brightness and shining, as in the verses, “Behold the moon does not shine (halal)" (Job 25:5), and, “When [God’s] lamp shined (halal) over my head” (Job 29:3). The second connotation is that of madness, as in the noun Holelut, referring to the demented state in many places in the Bible.

This would therefore indicate that the word Halal denotes a state where one leaves his normal state of consciousness, and at the same time, perceives spiritual Light. It is distinguished from the many other Hebrew terms for praise, since Halal is praise designated for attaining enlightenment through a state of oblivion.

The relationship between enlightenment and madness should not be too difficult to understand, since the Bible explicitly relates madness to prophecy. In one place, a prophet is called a madman, and the leading commentator, Rabbi Isaac Abarbanel, comments, “They called him mad, since as a result of his meditation (hitbodedut), he appeared demented, not paying attention to mundane affairs.”

In another place we find an even more explicit parallelism. God says, “Every man who is mad, who prophesies, shall be put in the stocks” (Jeremiah 29:26). Here again, the commentaries, most notably Rabbi David Kimchi, state that many people considered the prophets to be mad because of their unusual actions. It was not unusual then, to use the term “prophet” as a synonym for madman.

The word Halal is thus related to the roots Lahah and Lo, which, as discussed above, denote states of negation. It is also related to the root Chalal, meaning hollow, especially in a spiritual sense. Such a level of “hollowness” is closely related to prophecy, this being the level of King David, who said of himself, “My heart is hollow (chalal) within me” (Psalms 109:22).

All this indicates that Halal denotes negation of the senses and ego in the quest of enlightenment. The Psalms were therefore called Tehillim because they were especially designed to help one attain this exalted state.

This philological analysis might not be conclusive if it were not backed up by a solid tradition. In the Talmudic tradition there is a clear indication that the Psalms were used to attain the state of enlightenment called Ruach HaKodesh.

If one looks at many Psalms, one sees that they begin with either the phrase, “A Psalm of David” (Mizmor LeDavid) or “Of David, a Psalm” (LeDavid Mizmor). The Talmud states that when a Psalm begins with the phrase, “Of David, a Psalm,” this indicates that he recited the Psalm after he had attained Ruach HaKodesh. But when the Psalm begins with “A Psalm of David,” it means that David actually made use of the Psalm in order to attain his state of enlightenment. Thus at least eighteen of the Psalms were specifically composed as a means of attaining higher states of consciousness.

--from Meditation and the Bible by Aryeh Kaplan

ANNOUNCING NEW BOOK: TORAH PORTION SUMMARIES

ANNOUNCING THE PUBLICATION OF TORAH PORTION SUMMARIES; With Insights from the Perspective of a Jewish Yogi, by Steven J. Gold.

ON SALE NOW EXCLUSIVELY AT LULU.

This is the first in a planned series of books that I am coining “Special Reserve Editions”. The plan for now is to make these books available for sale only through the printer, Lulu, with very limited distribution and marketing efforts. In this manner, I can minimize expenses and keep the retail price down.

TORAH IN THE LIGHT OF YOGA. This book contains summaries of the weekly Torah portions for the entire Five Books of Moses. It includes insights and perspectives from a person born and raised Jewish who has also been a long-time student and practitioner of a Himalayan tradition of yoga/Vedanta meditation. It is intended to be a study guide, reference tool and aid for anyone who might find Torah/Bible study a bit intimidating or overwhelming, and who might be interested in perspectives from a Jewish yogi. An effort has been made to render a readable, objective and succinct summary of the basic story-line and teachings contained in the primary text and major commentaries without getting bogged down in too much detail. When made, the more subjective remarks are pretty obvious. Of course, what is chosen to highlight and what is chosen to minimize or overlook involves selective subjective choices. Interspersed among the actual summaries are Divrei Torah, supplemental essays providing personal takes and insights on materials of particular interest or inspiration.

In order to keep the retail price down, I have produced this book on larger paper (8 ½ x 11) using small, but readable print and formatting. Due to its larger size, in addition to a perfect-bound version, I have also made it available in a spiral-bound version that might make it easier to handle.

Remember that it will only be available through Lulu: www.lulu.com and enter the title or my name, or http://stores.lulu.com/yajc.

Quote of the Week 151 - The World to Come

Jesus’ followers said to him, “When will the rest for the dead take place, and when will the new world come?” He said to them, “What you look for has come, but you do not know it.”

--From one of the Gnostic Gospels, but I can’t remember which one

Quote of the Week 150 - The Palace of Love

Happy [are] those to whom the love of their Master cleaves; there is no limit to their portion in the other world. Many are the abodes of the righteous in the other world, one above another, and highest of all that of those to whom was attached the love of their Master, for their abode is linked with the palace that surpasses all, the Holy One, blessed be He, being crowned in this one. This Palace is called Love, and it is established for the sake of love. So it is too with the Holy Name, the forms of the letters of which are linked together, so that the whole is called “love”; wherefore he who loves his Master is linked to that Love. Hence it is written, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God”.

Zohar, Chelek Gimmel 267b, Soncino Translation

Quote of the Week 149 - A Vision of Oneness

I’m here at the intersection of flesh and spirit: a six-foot-tall biped with my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds; 165 pounds of muscle and fat and memories and opinions walking upright on an oxygen-rich planet, breathing in and breathing out, which has been my habit – one of my better habits – for sixty-five years. This morning I’m feeling particularly buoyant because I dreamt that beings from an advanced civilization gave me a mind-expanding drug. Well, their civilization was certainly advanced when it came to hallucinogens. Or maybe it had just been too long since I’d had the blinders removed and glimpsed the radiant mystery at the heart of existence. I experienced oneness not as a mere abstraction but as an undeniable reality, as plain as the nose on God’s face. I knew in my bones, in my cells, in the very atoms of “me” that everyone is part of the same living intelligence, as are the trees, the rocks, the sky; that separateness is an illusion; that death is nothing to fear. One look at my benevolent companions told me that they knew it too. It was hard to say whether they’d also taken the drug or had evolved this way after innumerable virtuous lifetimes. In my dream, it didn’t matter; I’d woken up.

--From Sy Safransky’s Notebook, The Sun magazine, October 2010, Issue 418

Quote of the Week 148 - Eitz Hayim, The Tree of Life; In Honor of Simchat Torah

For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my Law. It is a tree of life to them that grasp it, and of them that uphold it every one is rendered happy. Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.

--Eitz Hayim/Tree of Life; Adapted from Proverbs 3:17

New Class For This Fall - Jewish Yoga Meditation and Mysticism

Dates and Time: Five consecutive two-hour sessions on Tuesday evenings from October 12 through November 9; 7 PM to 9 PM. This series is cumulative in nature, and it is important to commit to all five sessions. However, missing one session will not be fatal. For those with prior meditation experience or who cannot commit to all five sessions, but would like to attend the last session specifically on Jewish Yoga Meditation, that is available as a stand-alone session.

Location: Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327. Please call or email to pre-register: Judy Thomas, 404-252-3073 x 330; jthomas@templesinaiatlanta.org.

Cost: $50.00 for the series of five sessions, or $15.00 for the last session alone.

Description: The great spiritual traditions of both East and West have throughout the ages promoted various forms of meditation as important practices to foster spiritual awakening and development. As an independent practice, to supplement other spiritual or religious practices, for stress management and relaxation, or all of the above, this course will provide the theoretical framework and practical technique for a traditional yoga-based practice derived from an ancient and time-honored Himalayan tradition. Included will be basic breathing and stress reduction techniques. They lay the foundation for access to avenues leading to the stillness within. Connections will also be made throughout to similar principles found in Jewish mysticism. The final session will cover Jewish meditation utilizing Hebrew phrases in place of yoga mantras and a Jewish healing meditation practice called Ruach El Shaddai/Breath of Balance, employing the practical application of Hebrew Kabalistic concepts in an advanced healing meditation. The class consists of 5 two-hour sessions meeting once a week for 5 consecutive weeks.

Teacher: Steven J. Gold, BA Antioch College, Philosophy and Religion; JD Emory Law School, is the founder/director of the Yoga and Judaism Center in Atlanta, GA and the author of Yoga and Judaism (2007) and Ivri: The Essence of Hebrew Spirituality (2010). He has been an initiate, student, practitioner and teacher in a Himalayan meditation tradition for over 30 years and a student of Kabala and Jewish Spirituality for several years. He developed a hybrid Jewish Yoga Meditation and Healing Meditation which is covered in the culmination of these sessions.

Quote of the Week 147 - Jewish Meditation

A good number of the most influential classical Judaic philosophers and Kabbalists clearly stated that meditation was the most important of all disciplines required to attain enlightenment and prophecy.

--from Meditation and the Bible, by Aryeh Kaplan

Quote of the Week 146 - Chashmal, The Speaking Silence

“When the prophet reaches this level, his ego is totally nullified and all sensation is hushed. He then reaches the level of the Chashmal, which is identical with the ‘small still voice’ of Elijah. The Talmud states that the word Chashmal is made up of two words, Chash, meaning silence, and Mal, indicating speech. At this level, the prophet experiences the ‘speaking silence.’ This is the level of silence through which he can hear the word of God or see a true divine vision.”

--from Meditation and the Bible, by Aryeh Kaplan, p. 41

Quote of the Week 145 - The Light and the Vessels

Although we cannot improve on the divine that flows into our vessels, we can and must take responsibility for keeping these vessels clean and transparent and not at all as essential as the light they contain.

--Source forgotten

Quote of the Week 144 - The Acquisition of Wisdom

"The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others."

--Source Forgotten

Quote of the Week 143 - Faith and Tomorrow

Whoever has a piece of bread in his basket and says, ‘What shall I eat tomorrow?’ belongs only to them who are little in faith.

--Babylonian Talmud, Mishnah Nashim, Tractate Sotah 48b

Quotes of the Week 142 - More Gems from Swami Rama Tirtha

The good man confers a blessing on the world by merely living.

Vice is our name for self-inflicted injury.

The distinguishing sign of slavery is to have a price and be bought for it.

Worldly riches and honors are the fig leaves with which the shamed soul attempts to hide its nakedness.

There is always room for a man of force, and he makes room for many.

A man seeing a very small arc of a very vast circle easily mistakes it for a straight line.

Let us have at least the dignity of trees and rivers.

To act by means of inaction is God.

Man’s unhappiness, as I construe, comes of his greatness; it is because there is an infinite in him, which with all his cunning he cannot quite bury under the finite.

We are near awakening when we dream that we dream.

--Swami Rama Tirtha

Quote of the Week 141 - The Art of Religion

The art of religion consists of making every little bit of experience an occasion for a leap into the infinite.

--Swami Rama Tirtha

God, Abraham, Isaac and the Akedah

I have recently engaged in a discussion about the famous biblical event that has perturbed many and been discussed and analyzed extensively: The Akedah, the incident where Abraham comes close to sacrificing his son Isaac at God’s direction, only to be stopped at the last minute by an angel of God. In addition to the traditional lauding of Abraham for passing this test with unquestioning faith, all kinds of discussions focus on why God would play such a mind-game with Abraham, why Abraham would even consider that this was in fact a genuine command from God, and what about the traumatic effect on poor Isaac? Some discuss that at the time, it was common for human sacrifice to be practiced, and even though Abraham was forging in a new spiritual direction, he might not have considered it so odd for such a request to be made. The lesson was that from that point forward, part of the new spiritual direction would be the cessation of human sacrifice, that animal sacrifice would suffice.

This is my take/revelation about the akedah incident: I generally look below the surface for the figurative lesson that lies behind the literal story (if you are not familiar with the PARDES approach to studying scripture, you should Google it). What is most striking to me about this story is that God was asking Abraham to sacrifice his future, his legacy, his chance at eternal life/immortality, which was all embodied in his son, Isaac. It was very close to God asking Abraham to kill himself, it was just a generation removed; he was asking Abraham to sacrifice/kill/annihilate his future. Why? Because the future, legacy, eternal life/immortality sometime later are all bogus! To be immersed in the PRESENT is the only thing that really exists and the only portal to Eternity NOW. God was asking for the ultimate sacrifice in order for Abraham to have the ultimate revelation that all that ever exists is The Eternal NOW (with apologies to Eckhart Tolle). Then he can have it all, the lower animal nature of a ram will do for the sacrifice (because the lower animal nature constantly needs to be sacrificed) and Isaac can live.

Quote of the Week 140 - Nondual Judaism

Michaelson says that there is a secret at the heart of the Zohar and other Jewish teachings: that “despite appearances, all things, and all of us, are like ripples on a single pond, motes of a single sunbeam, the letters of a single word.” Yet the question may arise: If everything is God, then why be Jewish? Michaelson responds that Jewish forms are “neither superior nor necessary” but that they are “the vocabulary of his heart” and the “technology of his body.” Mystics of other traditions will doubtless echo this view.

--From a book review in the magazine, Spirituality and Health, written by Kristine Morris, about the book Everything is God; The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism, by Jay Michaelson.

Quotes of the Week 139 - Love and Power

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. 


--Jimi Hendrix

What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.

--Martin Luther King, Jr.