A Way In

A View from Sinai

I was looking for the thunder,

I expected the lightning

            Fast and clear,

The fire, burning up the sky. 

 

But no, by the river,

            Barely a whisper,

                        Almost an after thought

This is it.

This is all there is.

This, right now,

Is it.

 

I shrugged and looked away.

 

I slept most of the day and returned to the river

in the light of early evening.

The woods were still quiet

Uneventful,

Calm.

 

Under a tree, with a gathering of friends,

I realized:

            OK.  Yes.  This,

            Right now

            Is it.

 

And it seemed I could hear the One laugh…

            You thought this wasn’t enough?

                       

 The pattern of green leaves

          framing the night sky

 The smell of blossoms on the breeze,

 The soft conversation between beloved friends

 The constant newness of every single day

            This isn’t enough Mystery,

                   Enough Divinity for you?

 

OK, OK.

This is it.

This is all there is.

 

            Shavuot

Upon the mountain

Along side the river.

           

A soft bell, a tinkling, a lilt

This, Right now

Is it.

 

I give thanks.

I give great thanks.

 

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Tending the Fire: Jewish Mindfulness Teachings and Suggestions for Practice

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Now that our journey through the Omer is complete, we invite you to continue with our online community by following Tending the Fire, daily mindfulness teachings and suggestions for practice that Rabbi Yael Levy has begun posting on the A Way In blog, Facebook and Twitter.

As we came out of winter into the newness of spring, Jewish time called us into a journey of discovery. 

The journey began with Passover and the acknowledgment of our narrow places — the habits of mind, body and spirit that kept us bound and unable to move forward into our lives.  Passover implored us to imagine a leap into the unknown, to find the willingness to leave behind what had enslaved us.

This journey continued into the Counting of the Omer. For 49 days we counted each day calling forth the healing and discovery that comes through awareness.

On the 50th day our souls returned to Mt. Sinai. They took their places at the sacred mountain of encounter and listened for the wisdom that would be revealed. Our souls received a glimpse of who we are and what is ours to do.

And then what?  Read more »

On the Journey

Join with us as we continue to support each other in the journey through the wilderness for the seven weeks of Counting the Omer. A Way In is providing several opportunities to help you enhance this Jewish Mindfulness ritual, including Rabbi Yael Levy's Omer Guide, daily emails and posts on Facebook and Twitter. 

Upcoming A Way In Events

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 8:00am
Tue, 05/28/2013 - 8:00am
Sat, 06/01/2013 - 10:00am
Tue, 06/04/2013 - 8:00am
Tue, 06/11/2013 - 8:00am

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Rabbi Yael Levy Shares Shavot Message with 'Jewish Exponent' Readers

Rabbi Yael Shares Shavot Message with 'Exponent' Readers

Rabbi Yael Levy offers guidance on recognizing the mindfulness practices of Shavuot in the May 8 edition of the Jewish Exponent.

"Shavuot urges us to engage our imagination, to cultivate awe," she writes. "It also calls us to listen for the Ten Devarim ('10 utterances,' not 'commandments,' as named in the Torah) and consider their meaning in our lives."

Read the entire text on the Exponent website.

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