Yitro – Exodus 18:1 – 20:23

Jan 31 to Feb 6, 2021 | 24 Shevat 5781

Photography by Glenn Sackett

10 Words Pointing Our Compass Toward LOVE

Indeed, all the earth is mine,

but you, you shall be to me

a kingdom of priests,

a holy nation.

– Exodus 19:5-6

“As Viewed, So Appears.” These words of Padma Sambhava, the 9th century Tibetan Buddhist, capture the dimensionality of this week’s parsha. Yitro explores the self from different vantage points: How G’d sees us, how Moses sees us, and how we see ourselves. The essence is Love.

Yitro, the first unique word of this week’s parsha, refers to Jethro, Moshe’s father-in-law. Joining them at their encampment in the Sinai Wilderness, Yitro is concerned that Moshe will become worn out from meeting the daily demands of the Israelites. He advises Moshe to appoint a hierarchy of judges to assist him in the task of governing his people.

Later when Moshe tells the Children of Israel that G’d has chosen them to be a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation,” they no longer doubt. They proclaim:

All that G‑d has spoken, we shall do.

– Exodus 19:8

Yitro’s Addition

Yitro means “his addition.” What does Yitro add to Torah? A convert to the Nation of Israel, Yitro views the multitudes differently than does Moshe. He can see their every-day selves, as individuals with an overwhelming number of petty concerns. Wisely, he advises Moshe to teach Torah’s laws and preside over the major judgements, but to leave the vast array of legal matters to a hierarchy of judges.

You have the vision to select men from all the people,

men of caliber, holding G’d in Awe, men of truth, hating gain.

… Every great matter they shall bring before you
but every small matter they should judge for themselves.

– Exodus 18:20 – 22

Seven weeks after the Exodus, the new nation assembles at the foot of Mount Sinai for the Giving of Torah. Amidst thunder, lightning, billows of smoke and the blast of the shofar, G’d appears on the mountain and summons Moshe to ascend. So that all can hear, G’d reveals the ethical code that points our compass toward YHWH.

The purpose is to create an ethical society — to love G’d and to love each other as ourselves. Although the Hebrew phrase eseret ha-devarim translates as the “10 Words” (Exodus 34:28), it’s reasonable to refer to them as “Commandments” because they are given to us by G’d.

Which Self?

Just as Yitro sees the Israelites in a different light than does Moshe, likewise, Moshe sees them differently than they see themselves. After hearing G’d speak directly to them, the people cry out to Moses.Hearing G-d’s voice is too terrifying for them to bear. They beg him to receive the Torah from G’d and convey it to them.

They said to Moshe:

You speak with us, and we will harken,

but let not G’d speak with us, lest we die.

– Exodus 20: 16

What’s going on here? We are witnessing the contrast of one’s temporal self and eternal being. Moshe sees them as transcendent in their capacity to receive G-d’s Words directly. But they are not ready. They see themselves from their ordinary, temporal perspective.

And how does G’d respond? Agreeing with his people, G’d tells Moshe to teach his people all that G’d instructs.

YHWH said to Moshe:

Say thus to the Children of Israel;

You yourself have seen

that it was from the heavens that I spoke with you.

From this point forward, G’d gives the Laws of the Covenant to Moshe to instruct the Israelites. For more insight into how we see ourselves vs. our true self, visit this Chabad article, Jethro’s Plan.

Alchemical Arch: Where Are We Now?

We have risen beyond doubt, purified ourselves, and have begun to ready ourselves to receive. In the Alchemical process, this represents Stage 2 in the Minor Mysteries. Continuing with the discussion begun in the Parsha Bo:

Stage 1: Separation

The contrast of one’s temporal self and eternal being culminates in the annihilation of the false ego.

• The Israelites accept the Covenant with YHWH and pledge to do all that G’d commands

Photography by Glenn Sackett

Living in the Land of Love Only

True happiness is in the love-stream that springs from one’s soul, and the one who will allow this stream to flow continually, in all conditions of life, in all situations, however difficult, will have a happiness that truly belongs to them.

– Sayings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, Gayan: Song, Chalas

This week we will choose practices that direct us toward Love. Through breath, light and sound we will tune ourselves with the Infinite and harmonize with the rhythms of this life. This beautiful, chaotic, ever changing, all-pervading Life.

Photography by Glenn Sackett

WEEKLY PRACTICES: Compass Toward LOVE

The Soul Manifestation Process awakens us to the present in the fullness of our being. This gentle, embodied awareness allows the heart to begin to heal its wounds and unify the broken shards of separation. This week, we will work with breath infused with light and sound to point our compass toward LOVE.

Suggestion: Do one practice a day, or do all 6 consecutively. Remember… have your Journal nearby to jot down any insights that may arise.

Audio Recording – Coming Soon

BREATH

Let’s begin with a breathing practice designed to awaken our hearts to Divine Love. Sit comfortably, with back straight but not stiff. Close your eyes. Relax your arms. Relax your jaw. Relax your tongue. Bring your chin slightly back and down so that your head is balanced on your neck, as needed. With a little practice, you can feel this sweet spot.

Now close your eyes. In this relaxed stillness, witness your inhale and exhale. Without changing anything, just notice the swing of your breath, in and out.

Next, focus on your heart center in the middle of your chest at the hight of your physical heart. With a gentle, indrawn breath, what do you feel? On the exhale, feel your heart radiating light. Notice how far the light of your heart extends. Inhale and witness the qualities of your heart; exhale and radiate your light outward. Stay with this breath for a few minutes, keeping the inhale and exhale even. After awhile, you’ll feel your heart beating. Inhale for 4 heartbeats; exhale for 4 heartbeats. Inhale receiving life and exhale bestowing light.

With your attention on receiving and bestowing, do you feel the stillness? What do you feel? When you are ready, return to your normal breath and open your eyes.

CONTEMPLATION

In this sacred atmosphere, contemplate these words drawn from this week’s parsha and from the Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan:

LIGHT

With eyes closed, breathe in and out gently through the nose. Balance your inhale with your exhale. Keep your body still. As with the practice on breaath, focus on your heart center. Visualize emerald green light. Breathe in emerald light, exhale emerald light for 5 breaths.

Continuing to breath emerald light in through your heart center, exhale whispering, “Toward the One.” As you inhale, remain receptive and open to what comes. Stay with this concentration as long as you can peacefully, comfortably maintain it.

When you are ready, open your eyes and breathe naturally. Witness your experience of this practice. Do you feel the “greening” of your heart? What qualities arise?

SOUND

The 99 Beautiful Names of Allah carry a sound code with the capacity to quiet our minds and open our hearts to Truth beyond concept. Through repetition, focus and intent, layers of meaning of the Name will be revealed to you.

Curious to know more about how sound becomes sacred language? Listen and receive a hint about the Mystic Sound:

This week’s parsha Yitro invites us to consider the eternal nature of our true self. We are being reminded in whom we live and breathe and have our being.

To open the windows of the heart, we will practice the phrase, “Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim.” Bismillah literally means “I yearn for the protection in the Name Allah.” Its deeper meaning can be expressed as, “In saying bismillah, I invoke the actualization, the presence, of Allah.”

The first act of creation is sound vibration (In the beginning, G’d said…) The root of Bismillah, “bism” means sound. We begin in sound (Source: Physicians of the Heart by Pir Shabda Khan).

Note: Allah is the Arabic word for G’d, whether a person’s religion is Christian, Muslim or Jew.

Ar-Rahman is endless love: the infinite, unconditional reality of Love. Ar-Rahim is the embodiment of this Love which flows from the Infinite.

We recite Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim 33 times. To keep your focus out of your head and into your heart, you may find it helpful to put your right hand over your heart. And when you say Bismillah, slightly bow to greet and invoke the presence of Love. 

Afterwards, let the sound of this practice reverberate in your being. Note how you feel.

Anchor this awareness in your body by pressing together the thumb and ring finger of your right hand. While moving through your life, when you wish to awaken in Love do this: with a gentle in-drawn breath, press your thumb and ring finger together. Think-feel Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim.

ZIKR

Meaning “remembrance”, Zikr is the repetition of a sacred phrase with the intention of returning to the essence of Unity. Similarly, in Hebrew Zakar means to remember, recall, or call to mind. Today we will offer Zakar in Hebrew and Zikr in Arabic. Simply click on the tab labeled “Zakar” or “Zikr”.

NATURE

This week as you take time to walk in nature, notice your life-giving breath. Can you coordinate your footsteps with the rhythm of your breath? Pay attention do the play of light. Where do you glimpse the color emerald green in nature? What shades of green does the winter light reveal?

To be guided in two more nature practices – the Medicine Walk and the 360 Listening Practice – please listen to the podcast with Maria Rosa Galter: Answering Our Soul’s Longing to Connect in All Dimensions.

Shabbat Shalom!

After 6 days of practice, when Shabbat arrives, observe how this week’s practices shape your Shabbat experience. Be sure to check in Sunday morning for next week’s parsha.

You are invited to comment on how the contemplations and practices for this week have shaped your experience of daily life… any big Ah-ha’s? Please share your thoughts and feelings below.

חַיִּים
L’Hayyim…. To Life!

Beshalach – Exodus 13:17 – 17:16

Jan 24 to 30, 2021 | 17 Shevat 5781

Zachor: Remember

And you shall know that I am YHWH your G’d.

– Exodus 16:12

Beshalach, the first unique word of this week’s parsha, means “when (Pharaoh) let go.” With the power of G’d, Moses leads his people safely through the Sea of Reeds, provides sweet water and food in the form of manna and quail, and establishes Shabbat. When the army of Amalek attacks the Israelites in the narrow straits of Redifim, Moses prevails. How then could the Children of Israel question, “Is G’d with us or not?”

In a word, doubt. Doubt is the enemy that lurks in the rational mind and sets the conditions for Amalek to attack. Just as the neck separates the head from the heart, in the narrow straits of Redifim the battle between doubt and faith is fought; this time the Israelites prevail.

Despite all the assurances of YHWH, three times the Israelites are caught in the narrow straits of doubt:

Doubt at the Sea of Reeds when Pharaoh’s army marches toward them:

Indeed, better for us serving Egypt
than our dying in the wilderness!

– Exodus 14:12

Doubt in the wilderness when they are hungry:

Would that we had died by the hand of YHWH in Egypt… than death by starvation.

– Exodus 16:3

Doubt when encamped at Refidim where they have no water to drink:

For what reason did you bring us up from Egypt,
To bring death to me, to my children and to my livestock by thirst?

– Exodus 17:3

In this way, the Israelites repeatedly test YHWH’s presence and Moses’ patience. With their internal compass pointed toward doubt rather than faith, the battle with Amalek ensues. Prevailing, Moses builds a slaughter-site and names it: YHWH My Banner. Moses says:

Yes,
Hand on YAH’s throne!
War for YHWH against Amalek
Generation after generation!

– Exodus 17:15-16

Who is Amalek?

Amalek is apathy, cynicism and senseless doubt. And what antidote does Torah provide? The answer is expressed in a single word:

Zachor: Remember

From Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi: Faith is not something that must be attained; it need only be revealed, for it is woven into the very fabric of the soul’s essence. Faith transcends reason. Unlike the perceptions of reason, which are defined and limited by the finite nature of the human mind, through faith one connects with the infinite truth of G’d in totality.

Reflection: There is faith in G’d; and there is faith in ourselves to overcome obstacles toward happiness and fulfillment of our purpose for coming to earth. A purpose that exceeds the boundaries of our individuated selves. A purpose that serves others. Take a moment to gauge the quality of Imam – faith – you hold in this regard.

Point Your Internal Compass Toward Faith

As human beings, we determine our attitude. We get to choose our North Star. When pointed toward doubt, then doubt appears beyond every bend in the road, behind every trunk, beneath every rock. When we choose to hold faith in G’d, faith in our neighbor, faith in ourselves, then the door to real possibility opens.

In times like these, what helps you to draw from the well of your soul’s reserves of faith? Our faith in G’d and in our purposeful selves can get buried under “a mass of mundane involvements and entanglements”. What brings you into remembrance of that inborn faith which can meet our every challenge?

The Sufi mystic Hazrat Inayat Khan illuminates this question. Quoting from his book Healing And The Mind World:

Faith is so sacred that it cannot be imparted, it must be discovered within oneself; but there is no one in the world who is without faith, it is only covered up. And what covers it? A kind of pessimistic outlook on life.

And from the Bowl of Saki:

The soul brings its light from Heaven; the mind acquires its knowledge from earth. Therefore, when the soul believes readily, the mind may still doubt.

Reflection: We have a saying, “Take me from the unreal to the real.” When I find myself caught up in the involvements and entanglements of life, when pessimism toward fulfilling my purpose creeps in, I repeat this thought: Take me from the unreal to the real. And with a gentle indrawn breath I remember,

Breath is G’d.

G’d is breath.

Chesed and Gevurah

Kabbalah teaches us to balance loving kindness (Chesed) with discernement (Gevurah). From this union arises beauty, clarity, mercy (Tiferet). Thus, when offering loving kindness and compassion, remember your inner assignment is to be bold. Meaning, when you put your heart and soul into your purpose, you can do anything.

Reflection: When we meet external or internal resistance to inner guidance, our most fruitful response is resilience: to go forward. May you find direction with these words on the meaning of parsha Beshalach: Chabad, The Four Factions:

(1) Not to escape reality, (2) not to submit to it, (3) not to wage war on it, (4) not to deal with it only on a spiritual level, but to go forward. Do another mitzvah, ignite another soul, take one more step toward your goal. Pharaoh’s charioteers are breathing down your neck? A cold and impregnable sea bars your path? Don’t look up; look forward. See that mountain? Move toward it.

The Ever-Present-Eternal doesn’t depend on anything. Beyond any concept, no beginning no end, now and now and now. This week we will practice the Art of Remembrance. Through breath, light and sound we will tune ourselves with the Infinite and harmonize with the rhythms of this life. This beautiful, chaotic, ever changing, all-pervading Life.

WEEKLY PRACTICES: Remembrance

The Soul Manifestation Process awakens us to the present in the fullness of our being. This gentle, embodied awareness allows the heart to begin to heal its wounds and unify the broken shards of separation. This week, we will work with breath infused with light and sound to remember the home of our soul.

Suggestion: Do one practice a day, or do all 6 consecutively. Remember… have your Journal nearby to jot down any insights that may arise.

Audio Recording – Coming Soon

BREATH

Let’s begin with a simple breathing practice, one designed to integrate mind and body. Sit comfortably, with back straight but not stiff. Close your eyes. Relax your arms. Relax your jaw. Relax your tongue. Bring your chin slightly back and down so that your head is balanced on your neck, as needed. With a little practice, you can feel this sweet spot.

Now close your eyes. In this relaxed stillness, witness your inhale and exhale. Without changing anything, just notice the swing of your breath, in and out. Instead of thinking, “this is my breath,” realize “this is the breath.” All life breathes the same breath. Without breath, the body can no longer contain life. 

Let your exhale extend far and wide, beyond the confines of your body, your room, your neighborhood, community, city, state, country… extend, extend on the exhale. Inhale gently through your heart center, recollecting your location in time and space. When you are established in this expansive, rhythmic breath, add the following:

• On the inhale think, “Toward the One.”
• On the exhale think, “United with All.”

Explore and enjoy this expansion and contraction. All is well. When you are ready, return to your normal breath and open your eyes.

CONTEMPLATION

In this sacred atmosphere, contemplate these words drawn from this week’s parsha and from the Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan:

LIGHT

With eyes closed, breathe in and out gently through the nose. Balance your inhale with your exhale. Keep your body still.

Next, focus on your heart center in the center of your chest. Visualize clear yellow light. Breathe in yellow light, exhale yellow light for 5 breaths.

Now focus on your third eye, slightly above and between the eyebrows. Visualize deep blue light filling your forehead. Breathe in deep blue light, exhale deep blue light for 5 breaths.

Now breathe clear yellow light in through your heart center, thinking, “Toward the One.” Exhale through your forehead thinking, “United with All.” Stay with this concentration as long as you can peacefully, comfortably maintain it.

When you are ready, open your eyes and breathe naturally. What is your experience of this practice? Do you feel the unity of heart and mind, despite the narrow strait of the neck?

SOUND

This week’s parsha Beshalach teaches us to remember. Doubt arrises from a feeling of separation. To overcome this difficult state of mind, simply remember in whom you live and breathe and have your being.

Curious to know more about how sound becomes sacred language? Listen and receive a hint about the Mystic Sound:

The 99 Beautiful Names of Allah carry a sound code with the capacity to quiet our minds and open our hearts to Truth beyond concept. Through repetition, focus and intent, layers of meaning of the Name will be revealed to you.

To dispel all doubt, we remember the longing of the soul to return to its source. In Quran G’d says: “Remember me, and I will remember you.”

O Protector is Ya Hafiz (yaa ḥa-FEEḌḤ). We pair that with Ya Wakil (yaa wa-KEEL). Here we are relying on God entirely, because only God is worthy of complete trust in every affair (Source: Physicians of the Heart by Pir Shabda Khan).

We recite Ya Wakil on the inhale and Ya Hafiz on the exhale:

Inhale: Ya Wakil

Exhale: Ya Hafiz

With your eyes closed, focus on your breath. Feel your chest and abdomen expanding and contracting. Rhythmically inhale and exhale, softly repeating these names out loud 33 times.

Afterwards, let the sound of this practice reverberate in your being. Note how you feel.

Anchor this awareness in your body by pressing together the thumb and ring finger of your left hand. While moving through your life, when you wish to return to remembrance do this: with a gentle in-drawn breath, press your thumb and ring finger together. Inhale ya Wakil, exhale ya Hafiz.

ZIKR

Meaning “remembrance”, Zikr is the repetition of a sacred phrase with the intention of returning to the essence of Unity. Similarly, in Hebrew Zakar means to remember. Today we will introduce Zikr in Arabic. Simply click on the tab labeled “Zikr”. 

NATURE

This week as you take time to walk in nature, notice your life-giving breath. Can you coordinate your footsteps with the rhythm of your breath? Pay attention do the play of light. Where do you glimpse the color blue in nature? Where do you see yellow? Blue and yellow give rise to green. What shades of green does the winter light reveal?

For a communion with nature that delightfully engages us in the play of shadow and light, please listen to the podcast with Heart Whisperer Jennifer Reeve.

Shabbat Shalom!

After 6 days of practice, when Shabbat arrives, observe how this week’s practices shape your Shabbat experience. Be sure to check in Sunday morning for next week’s parsha.

You are invited to comment on how the contemplations and practices for this week have shaped your experience of daily life… any big Ah-ha’s? Please share your thoughts and feelings below.

חַיִּים
L’Hayyim…. To Life!

Bo – Exodus 10:1 – 13:16

Jan 17 to 23, 2021 | 10 Shevat 5781

Photography by Glenn Sackett

I Will Take You As My People

Considering the rapid, chaotic, even deadly transformation of our current world, we are truly in a BARDO, a state of existence between death and rebirth — a time when our usual way of life becomes suspended. The Ten Plagues which descended on Biblical Egypt must have created a similar panic. When in the Bardo, we must seek a calming influence. 

In the parsha Bo — meaning come, enter, penetrate — locust and darkness signal YHWH’s presence to the multitude of nations. While the first nine plagues leave the Israelites unaffected, the slaying of the first born requires the Israelites to perform a mitzvah to protect life: to sacrifice a lamb at twilight, put its blood as a sign on their doorposts, and eat the roasted flesh with matzah and maror (bitter herbs).

With this consecration we understand that the Fourth Promise, “I will take you for me as a people” is reciprocal: the Israelites must participate in this union. Hastily, under the midnight moon Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt. A multitude of nations follow Moses who skillfully welcomes them.

With G-d’s help, Moses succeeds in confronting Pharaoh.  When viewed as an Alchemical process, Exodus takes on new contours which shape and hold each of us today.

Alchemy is the quickening of this process: the enactment of the Fourth Promise recorded in Exodus:

I will take you for me as a people,

And I will be for you as a G’d.

– Exodus 6:6

Moses endured his own Alchemical process in preparation to lead the Israelites and the multitude of nations who followed him to experience the freedom of the Soul. And what is the soul being freed from? Mitzrayim. Being caught in materialism without love, devotion and surrender to the One Being.

Let’s look at Moses’ development through the lens of the Six Stages of Alchemy as taught by Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan.

Minor Mysteries

The journey begins with the Minor Mysteries which lay out the process of letting go of the attachment to one’s temporal being to merge in eternal Oneness. They are called the Minor Mysteries because the process returns one to the natural state. To rest in Oneness.

Stage 1: Separation

The contrast of one’s temporal self and eternal being culminates in the annihilation of the false ego.

• Seeing the hardships of his people, Moses’ sense of self as a Prince of Egypt is irretrievably lost. In anger he kills an Egyptian and must flee for his life.

Stage 2: Rising

Fire distills Spirit further from the body, completing the separation. One further identifies with the real being that one is: pure consciousness.

• After fleeing to Midyan, Moses cultivates the benign leadership qualities of the shepherd. After many years, he sees the burning bush that is not consumed. At first he resists, not willing to go it alone as Moses by himself. With the assurance of G-d’s presence, he acquiesces to the path laid out for him in unison with YHWH.

Stage 3: Pure Spirit

The sense of individuality collapses. Symbolized by the receptive crescent moon, the soul awakens in the state of all possibility and pure potential.

• Moses returns to Egypt to face Pharaoh

Major Mysteries

Now begins the inner journey called the Major Mysteries. They are termed thus because, in the miracle of all miracles, Spirit is infused with matter — a vessel wherein G’d can dwelling — the reason for life itself.

Stage 4: Descent

This is best described as the Alchemical Marriage of Heaven and Earth. Here one consciously participates in the rebirth of spirit into matter.

• Moses begins to fulfill his mission by summoning the courage to appear before Pharaoh and act out G-d’s commands. Similar to the renewal of life on earth during Noah’s time, the first nine plagues represent this rebirth.

Stage 5: Incorporation

To fix and maintain this realization, one must affirm one’s real being against the forces that tend to push one back to what one was: the courage to be who one is. As the parsha Bo teaches us, behind one’s own manifestation is the thrust of God’s wish for completion.

• Moses appears with the Light of G’d infused into his personality as he faces Pharaoh. This stage culminates in the slaying of the first born.

Stage 6: Unity

Symbolized by the radiant sun, this realization completes the spiritualization of matter and the materialization of spirit. As a result, the unique contribution of one’s being is impressed upon the universe to outlast the vehicle through which it operates. As with our patriarchs and matriarchs: this is the realization of eternal life.

• At the end of Bo and throughout the rest of Torah, Moses maintains his intention to remain in Unity with G’d. Not quite meeting this exquisitely delicate standard, he is denied the right to enter the Promised Land. And yet he lives on, immortalized in the retelling of this story. 

And what of our own Alchemical Journey?

Mankind’s Mission on Earth

By following the arch of Genesis and now of Exodus, we are shown that the mission of mankind is to transform the world into a dwelling place for G’d. This mirrors the challenges each of us confronts daily to cultivate the midot (divine qualities) in our own character. For as above so below: each one of us expresses this mission as a unique ray of the One Being.

To learn more, listen to Marilyn Saltzman speak about the gifts of her life-long practice of Musar: Soul Traits for an Ethical Life.

Reflection: How frequently and fully do you dedicate your G’d given abilities for a positive purpose? And even more fundamentally, ask yourself:

“What am I living for? Am I seeking mainly self-gratification, or am I living a life dedicated to a higher purpose?”

This week’s practices continue to support our journey from mitzrayim (materiality) to awakening in life. We will seek to soften our hearts and build our capacity to create harmony in daily life. Through breath, light and sound we can be in tune with the Infinite and the rhythms of this life. This beautiful, chaotic, ever changing, all-pervading Life.

WEEKLY PRACTICES: Alchemy of Breath

With the Soul Manifestation Process, we awaken to the present in the fullness of our being. This gentle, embodied awareness allows the heart to begin to heal its wounds and unify the broken shards of separation. This week, we will work with breath infused with light and sound to work its alchemical magic.

Suggestion: Do one practice a day, or do all 6 consecutively. Remember… have your Journal nearby to jot down any insights that may arise.

Audio Recording – Coming Soon

BREATH

Let’s begin with a simple breathing practice, one designed to integrate mind and body. Sit comfortably, with back straight but not stiff. Close your eyes. Relax your arms. Relax your jaw. Relax your tongue. Most of us tend to jut the chin forward. If this is you, bring your chin slightly back and down so that your head is balanced on your neck. With a little practice, you can feel this sweet spot.

Now close your eyes. In this relaxed stillness, witness your inhale and exhale. Without changing anything, just notice the swing of your breath, in and out.

Next, on the inhale hold your breath for a few seconds. Can you feel your heart beating? Putting your hand on your heart can help. After awhile, notice how your blood circulating through your body feels. Can you feel the pulsing? Look for it in the hold between the inhale and exhale. Take a moment of joy, gratitude and quiet amazement in this sacred sensation.

Return to your normal breath and open your eyes.

CONTEMPLATION

In this sacred atmosphere, contemplate these words drawn from this week’s parsha and from the Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan:

LIGHT

With eyes closed, breathe in and out gently through the nose. Balance your inhale with your exhale. Keep your body still. In this refined state, focus on your physical heart. Visualize red light. Breathe in red light, exhale red light for 5 breaths.

Next, focus on your right chest, about where the physical heart rests on the other side. Visualize white light. Breathe in white light, exhale white light for 5 breaths.

Now focus on the center of your chest. Visualize green light filling the center of your chest. Breathe in green light, exhale green light for 5 breaths.

When you are ready, open your eyes and breathe fully, deeply. What is your experience of this balancing practice?

SOUND

In a tangible way, parsha Bo instructs us to embody divine qualities of G’d. Although we cannot name YHWH the Un-nameable, we can name and draw upon qualities of YHWH.

The 99 Beautiful Names of Allah carry a sound code with the capacity to resonate with divine qualities already present in ourselves. Like activates like. Nothing is “added” that we don’t already contain. We are awakening these divine qualities within ourselves via resonance. Through repetition, focus and intent, layers of meaning of the Name will be revealed to you.

In full view of the rapid, chaotic, even deadly changes of our current world — truly a BARDO — we call upon the calming influence of  Ya Qawiyy (yaa ḲO-weeyy) and Ya Salam (yaa sa-LAAM), which is peace itself.

The divine aspect of G’d named Al-Qawiyy commands the primitive, adamant self. It disarms our defenses so can see that all personal power is the result of the real power that is coming from the divine source. It awakens our inner strength to overcome distorted passion (Source: Physicians of the Heart by Pir Shabda Khan)

We recite Ya Salam on the inhale and Ya Qawiyy on the exhale:

Inhale: Ya Salam

Exhale: Ya Qawiyy

With your eyes closed, focus on your breath. Feel your chest and abdomen expanding and contracting. Rhythmically inhale and exhale, softly repeating ya Salam, ya Qawiyy out loud 33 times. Afterward, feel the calming support of this sound vibration on all aspects of being.

ZIKR

Meaning “remembrance”, Zikr is the repetition of a sacred phrase with the intention of returning to the essence of Unity. Continuing from last week, we will repeat the central Jewish prayer known as the Sh’ma.

In Hebrew:

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָֽד

Shema Yisrael YHWH Eloheinu YHWH Echad

The Sh’ma can be translated as: “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one”. LORD is the unpronounceable four letter word יְהוָה – YHWH, the Name of G’d that can’t be named. Instead, we’ll use the word “Adonai“, meaning Lord, or “HaShem“, meaning The Name.

When practicing Zikr, it’s best to use the original language in which the prayer was revealed. As you inhale and exhale, softly repeat out loud, 33 times. Afterward, feel the effects of the vibration on your being.

NATURE

This week as you take time to walk in nature, feel the beating of your heart. Can you coordinate your footsteps with the rhythm of your heart? Pay attention do the play of light. Where do you glimpse the color red in nature? Where do you see white? What shades of green does the winter light reveal?

For a view of nature that marries the cosmic with the transcendent, please listen to the podcast with nature photographer and chaplain Glenn Sackett: Exploring Beauty and Resilience with Nature and in All Our Relations.

Shabbat Shalom!

After 6 days of practice, when Shabbat arrives, observe how this week’s practices shape your Shabbat experience. Be sure to check in Sunday morning for next week’s parsha.

You are invited to comment on how the contemplations and practices for this week have shaped your experience of daily life… any big Ah-ha’s? Please share your thoughts and feelings below.

חַיִּים
L’Hayyim…. To Life!