Hear Our Voice

Meditation is not about sitting still. That may be its vehicle, but that isn’t what it’s about. Meditation is practice for living life less reactively. It is the practice of quieting our gut impulse to respond when silence may be the better way.  I’ve always loved learning about the martial art of Judo which relies significantly upon using the weight and motion of your opponent against them. Not that we want to think of all of our interactions with others as struggles, but that so much of what gets us into interpersonal conflict is the useless attempt to exert effort against them, instead of allowing them to have to carry their own weight. 

What if meditation was for the purpose of becoming better at living more meditatively? Now that would be something that many unusual suspects might find attractive. If you are an unusual suspect who might not normally be drawn to a meditation or mindfulness experience, here are two suggestions for you. One is a local, low-barrier opportunity to check it meditation, and the other is online:

1. Jewish Mindfulness Retreat – this Sunday, June 2, 9:00 am–1:00 pm led by Rabbi Ariel Sholklapper at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, open to all! 
2. "Hard Wired Habits – How to Use Jewish Wisdom Traditions to Outsmart Your Overworked Brain,” an online event from the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Wednesday, June 5, 5:00 pm EST.

Happy Sitting!

Rabbi Scott

Events for the Week of 5/27/2019

• Shabbat at Interfaith Ministries - Friday, May 31 - More Info + Please consider bringing a nosh to share for the Oneg
• Opening to Freedom Half-Day Jewish Mindfulness Mini Retreat - Sunday, Jun 2 - More Info + Buy Tickets
• CSK Women's Lunch - Sunday, June 9 - More Info