When you squeeze an orange, orange juice should come out. I find that I have lost my way when I open my mouth and I do not like the words that come out or the tone of those words. Thank you for the reminders that we (the natural, orange) and our words coming out of our mouth (supernatural, orange juice) should be one and the same. Natural and supernatural or indeed one!
I find it in the eyes of animals: dogs can look into your soul, and so can horses. I forget that they are they and I am I.
To me the difference between a spiritual experience and a spiritual life (I really don't like the word spiritual, but it suppose it is the best we have) is that a spiritual experience is a gift that comes from the outside and is therefore passing; a spiritual life emanates from within and radiates outward.
Spiritual is not such a bad word for what we are talking about. In the Mussar texts, ruchniut (spirituality) is set up against gashmiut (materiality). That Hebrew word for spirituality comes from the word ruach, which is widely translated as “spirit,” though the literal meaning is “wind.” That helps explain why I like the word because the wind is a good image for the spirit: an invisible animating force that blows through the material world, causing movement.
Yes, that makes sense. I suppose my quarrel with the word "spiritual" comes from having heard too many people say they are spiritual, but not religious, by which they mean that they want that experience of the sunset, but no obligation, no struggle, as you point out in today's post.
The word religion (as etymologically explained by Christianity of the middle ages) actually points to that connection and moral obligation to God. I wonder, then: is a spiritual life, is holiness possible without the One who gave us all Rusch?
You say that you “wish you had met your spiritual ancestors earlier in your life!” But I wonder -were you ready? I certainly wasn’t. As Zalman puts it, I was not ready to harvest my life and learning until I became an elder. And now discovering them and learning more them enriches my life…now that I am ready.
I have to agree with you, Howard. I have been a product of my time at every stage of my life, and since my world was not interested in Jewish spirituality, neither was I. I needed to wander out to hear messages about reality that were not obvious to me and then, eventually, when I was ready, I had to turn around to face the tradition of my own upbringing to ask, nu, what do you have to say?
This afternoon I am returning to Mesillat Yesharim with a study partner for whom the text will be new. I have shared this piece and your last with her. Your words are a beautiful reminder that the work at hand is always that…it is there right before us, waiting for us to bring our best selves forward as we engage with others.
Yes, indeed, the work is always at hand. Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe provided us with such a useful tool in the practice of hitlamdut — teaching ourselves from our experience. Since we are always experiencing the world, even when we are asleep, there are always lessons to be learned.
As an avid cyclist who primarily rides on paths through nature and alongside water (along the jersey shore) I can relate to "spiritual experiences" leading to spirituality in the day to day world. As I go through my day, I find when I pause to recall the peaceful and picturesque scenes from my bike rides through nature, I become more calm and mindful of my surroundings and others.
Our experiences in nature can be great teachers. There is a reality we can perceive so much more easily when we step out of the noisy, glaring, blaring urban world. It tells me of that the “supernatural” is present in the “natural,” and my own mind informs me that that can’t be true only among the trees or by the sea. It must be true amid this cacophony as well. Can I attune?
I thought I had responded to you, but it appears not! I suggest you wait until I say something before setting out to explore contrary views. You may find that I have no views at all, in which case what would contrary look like?
On the vinyl floor of our kitchen, I saw a rainbow of light. That felt transcendent
Contrary to what? I don't believe I have said anything on the subject and already you are asking about contrary views? Seems premature to me.
When you squeeze an orange, orange juice should come out. I find that I have lost my way when I open my mouth and I do not like the words that come out or the tone of those words. Thank you for the reminders that we (the natural, orange) and our words coming out of our mouth (supernatural, orange juice) should be one and the same. Natural and supernatural or indeed one!
I find it in the eyes of animals: dogs can look into your soul, and so can horses. I forget that they are they and I am I.
To me the difference between a spiritual experience and a spiritual life (I really don't like the word spiritual, but it suppose it is the best we have) is that a spiritual experience is a gift that comes from the outside and is therefore passing; a spiritual life emanates from within and radiates outward.
Spiritual is not such a bad word for what we are talking about. In the Mussar texts, ruchniut (spirituality) is set up against gashmiut (materiality). That Hebrew word for spirituality comes from the word ruach, which is widely translated as “spirit,” though the literal meaning is “wind.” That helps explain why I like the word because the wind is a good image for the spirit: an invisible animating force that blows through the material world, causing movement.
Yes, that makes sense. I suppose my quarrel with the word "spiritual" comes from having heard too many people say they are spiritual, but not religious, by which they mean that they want that experience of the sunset, but no obligation, no struggle, as you point out in today's post.
The word religion (as etymologically explained by Christianity of the middle ages) actually points to that connection and moral obligation to God. I wonder, then: is a spiritual life, is holiness possible without the One who gave us all Rusch?
You say that you “wish you had met your spiritual ancestors earlier in your life!” But I wonder -were you ready? I certainly wasn’t. As Zalman puts it, I was not ready to harvest my life and learning until I became an elder. And now discovering them and learning more them enriches my life…now that I am ready.
I have to agree with you, Howard. I have been a product of my time at every stage of my life, and since my world was not interested in Jewish spirituality, neither was I. I needed to wander out to hear messages about reality that were not obvious to me and then, eventually, when I was ready, I had to turn around to face the tradition of my own upbringing to ask, nu, what do you have to say?
This afternoon I am returning to Mesillat Yesharim with a study partner for whom the text will be new. I have shared this piece and your last with her. Your words are a beautiful reminder that the work at hand is always that…it is there right before us, waiting for us to bring our best selves forward as we engage with others.
Yes, indeed, the work is always at hand. Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe provided us with such a useful tool in the practice of hitlamdut — teaching ourselves from our experience. Since we are always experiencing the world, even when we are asleep, there are always lessons to be learned.
As an avid cyclist who primarily rides on paths through nature and alongside water (along the jersey shore) I can relate to "spiritual experiences" leading to spirituality in the day to day world. As I go through my day, I find when I pause to recall the peaceful and picturesque scenes from my bike rides through nature, I become more calm and mindful of my surroundings and others.
Our experiences in nature can be great teachers. There is a reality we can perceive so much more easily when we step out of the noisy, glaring, blaring urban world. It tells me of that the “supernatural” is present in the “natural,” and my own mind informs me that that can’t be true only among the trees or by the sea. It must be true amid this cacophony as well. Can I attune?
Regarding "real-world events", are you ready to entertain contrary views?
I thought I had responded to you, but it appears not! I suggest you wait until I say something before setting out to explore contrary views. You may find that I have no views at all, in which case what would contrary look like?
Your chosen topic headings hinted at opinions.
Some music can have that effect, at least on me. Often, older is better. Does it have a place in mussar circles?
Examples: (The first two are sung by R' Avraham Greenbaum and are downloadable)
https://www.azamra.org/Audio/Songs/Adon%20Olam.mp3
https://www.azamra.org/Audio/Songs/Meeyn%20Olam%20Habo.mp3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbgrfuWyaHQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRWSz8Yll1U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvDwCSMz0pI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIEzl8xn2Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXDXs_A7wEU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZs2zUIevcQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfpBQB2Sc64