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Connection - 101

10/27/2020 08:40:10 AM

Oct27

Monday, I introduced a new theme for 10@Noon, “Shame and Vulnerability.”  This is our third “theme” since we embarked on this venture of a 10-12 minute online gathering of those seeking some spiritual solace, and perhaps inspiration, on a weekday basis. 

We started with two of the middot, characteristics taught by our Musar tradition: “Humility,” Anavah and “Patience,” Savlanut.  One leads into the other- with Humility, we practice the art of finding our righteous places in the universe, but on a moment by moment basis.  At times, we are indeed meant to shine bright, but at many others, managing our “volume knob” is an intimate dance to the right and to the left.  The serious contemplation of “Humility” hones our agility for adjusting how big or small we need to be.

From this attribute of “Humility,” we discover that there are practices we can muster that help make it more accessible.  “Patience” is the art of expanding the distance between the fuse and the match.  Humility is both a thought and an act – but one doesn’t necessarily have to lead to or derive from the other.  Yes, indeed, the inner workings of our minds is important here, but these characteristics are significantly focused on our interactions with others, regardless of whatever machinations about others (or even ourselves) may have swum through our brains.  The proof is in the pudding, as it were.  There is the abundance of our thoughts and then there is how we CHOOSE to act. 

This week, we are raising up two new concepts, not officially part of Musar teachings, but certainly tangential to them or perhaps at their very origins: Shame and Vulnerability.  Brene Brown, a very modern day “teacher” of Musar, challenges us to focus on the manners in which our abilities to practice patience and humility are undermined by the stories we tell ourselves and, often without challenge, believe.  It is our gut, we are often taught to trust, however our guts don’t hold all of the wisdom of our bodies.  Our guts may awaken us to potential danger or even fortuitous chance, but they bypass the calming influences of compassion and empathy.  

Connection is why we are alive.  It's why we exist.

Shame is the voice that interrupts connection with messages of “not-good-enough-ness” that leads us to experiences of loneliness amongst even our closest family and friends.

Vulnerability is the only tool we have to combat shame – it melts in the face of our willingness to call it out. 

At the root of our ability to practice humility and patience is our deftness in the above.  Let us just contemplate these ideas, let them marinate in our minds, and see what arises.

 


 

Upcoming Events

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  • ​​​Shabbat, Friday, October 30, 6:15 pm Oneg, 6:30 pm Service led by Rabbi Scott with music by Josh GoldbergRegister HERE (if you have NEVER registered for Shabbat Services before)
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  • Kosher Pretzel, Saturday, November 7, 11:00 am, led by Rochelle Mannigel and Rabbi Scott, Register HERE
  • Saturday, November 7, 8:00 pm, ERJCC Book FairShma Koleinu is Sponsoring, Jason RosenthalMy Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me: A Memoir

 

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784