Our Accomplishments

Our accomplishments belong as much to others as they do to us.

So Small

So small in the vastness of the universe am i, yet complete and whole.

Connecting to Our Ancestors

After Jacob and Joseph died, Jews became slaves in Egypt. Why? Because they lost track of their ancestors, their home, their Source. Roots let us grow and thrive. They are the ties that both bind and liberate. We cannot help but be products of generations past to the beginning of time. The question is: Do we sever ourselves from the past, simply reuse the past by forgetting that we are each born anew, or integrate the past into a new creation?

Stepping Outside of Your I

Stepping outside of your I gives the Source room to enter.

Full Breath

Full breath means full life.

Guardian Angel

When something painful happens to you, remember that a guardian angel is by your side every moment.

Repair the World

We Jews are haunted by the cries of Abel’s heirs from the earth. The specter of annhilation has a way of improving your hearing. Hence tikkun olam, repair of the world.

Wisdom

Wisdom arises from the inside.

Noah did not argue with the Source for the impending human genocide. Abraham argued with the Source for Sodom, but not for Isaac. Moses argued incessantly with the Source. So did the great Hasidic rebbe, Isaac of Berditchev. We are supposed to act like Moses and Isaac of Berditchev.

Relaxation

True relaxation: not a vacation, but a way of life.

Cells in the Universe

Each of our cells contains a universe. We are each a cell in another universe.

Humility

Humility is the beginning of wisdom.

Body and Mitzvah

Jewish tradition says that every part of our body corresponds to a mitzvah (a commandment). So, when our body is in proper attunement, we will then feel the presence of the Source and act accordingly.

Searching for Answers

Searching for answers is the heart’s way of leading you back to it.

Symbols

Symbol: life condensed into an image.

Holiness and the I

To be holy is to no longer focus on the I (Lev 19).

Errors Lead to Wisdom

Errors are the stones out of which the gateway to wisdom is made.

Cultivating Wisdom

Cultivating and practicing wisdom leads to wisdom.

An Atom Contains a Universe

Each atom contains a universe. Each cell contains millions of atoms. Each person contains millions of cells. We each carry an infinite number of worlds inside ourselves.

Jacob’s Ladder

What is Jacob’s ladder? A gateway opening from one dimension to another. (Gen 28.12)

Energy

Energy is what makes us who we are. That energy never disappears and is never destroyed.

The I and the You

The “I” does not refer to the same person as the “You.” The “I” is a navigator who helps us operate in the world. The “You” is a spark of light that is love and wisdom itself.

Humility of Moses

The last letter of the very first word in Leviticus (vayiqra’–“and the Source called”) in the traditional Hebrew text ends with an extra small “aleph.” The rabbis interpreted this to refer to Moses’ humility. Another interpretation: It refers to the silent voice that spoke to Moses, not through his ears, but through his heart and mind.

(The letter, “Aleph,” is silent in Hebrew)

The Present

Being open to the present means being open to the Source.

Calm

Calm is a decision to live life in the present.

Breath of the Earth

There is always a humming sound even in the quietest places: this is the breath of the earth.

Sinai and Human Authority

Jews believe that at Sinai the Source gave human beings the authority to make their own decisions and run their own affairs.

Repairing the World

If we seek to repair the world, we must be able to look into the depths of hell and see hope.

Love

To feel true love for another is to feel the presence of the Source.

Jacob’s Ladder

Jacob’s ladder:going up-going down; inhaling-exhaling; holding-letting go; receiving-giving; living-dying (Gen 28.12).

Inhaling, Exhaling

Inhale-Exhale: breathe in-breathe out; go down-go up; hold-let go; receive-give; live-die.

Truth

Nothing is at it seems. Truth lies beneath the surface.

Heartlessness

Heartlessness eventually and inevitably leads to self-destruction. (Ex 7:14)

Great Warriors

Great warriors stand their ground; they do not initiate conflict.

Last words of a Hero: General Hermann Henning von Tresckow

These are the last words of German General Hermann Henning von Tresckow, spoken on July 21, 1944, when he learned in Bialystock that the plot to assassinate Hitler had failed. He committed suicide immediately afterward.

“The whole world will vilify us now, but I am still totally convinced that we did the right thing. Hitler is the archenemy not only of Germany but of the world. When, in few hours’ time, I go before God to account for what I have done and left undone, I know I will be able to justify what I did in the struggle against Hitler. God promised Abraham that He would not destroy Sodom if just ten righteous men could be found in the city, and so I hope that for our sake God will not destroy Germany. No one among us can complain about his death, for whoever joined our ranks put on the shirt of Nessus. A man’s moral worth is established only at the point where he is ready to give up his life in defense of his convictions.”

In Greek mythology the Shirt of Nessus refers to a poisonous shirt that killed Hercules.

Jacob Dying

As Jacob drew near to death to join his ancestors, we will prepare to join our ancestors and return home (Gen 47.28-31; & Gen 15.15, 25.8)

We are the Antennae

We are the antennae that transmit the Source’s signals: art, beauty, ideas, knowledge, justice, truth, love.

Counting Blessings

Counting flaws drains; counting blessings fills.

When Moses Was Too Humble

When Moses was too humble, the Source reminded him that “I will be with you” through deeds, words, and feelings. And so our energy reaches out to those yet to be born. (Ex 3.12)

Integration

Integration: unifying the One and the Many.

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