Physician of The Soul

Shemini Atzeret - Back to our permanent home

2014-10-15T14:59:00.000-07:00

Shemini Atzeret, is often thought of as the eighth day of the holiday of Sukkot. However, our Rabbis teach us that Shemini Atzeret is a holiday in its own right. Yet this holiday has no distinguishing features or symbols.

Rosh Hashanah is the New Year, ushered in by the shofar. Yom Kippur is a day of fasting, atoning, and God's judgment. Sukkot is a joyous festival, as we sit in the sukkah and shake the lulav. So what does Shemini Atzeret have?

So far this year we have been running from holiday to holiday with little time to rest in between. We pleaded with God, our selves and others for forgiveness and then got busy building the sukkah and rejoicing for seven days. Now the emotional roller coaster is coming to an end. Shemini Atzeret is a day for the Jewish people to spend with The Creator --- not in atonement, not in the euphoric state of Sukkot, just as Shehina's children. In a sense, it is the High Holiday after party to which only we are invited.

The Creator hosted a seven-day party. When everyone is about to leave, he holds back his closest friends and says, "Stay another day and we'll party with joy and goodwill.

Rabbi Yehonatan ben Uziel states that the word "atzeret" (assembly) means "coming together", and refers to the command that at the beginning of this day after Sukkot we may leave the temporary dwelling of the sukkah "to come together" into our permanent homes. Shemini Atzeret brings down the curtain on the seven days of Sukkot. The sukkah is the eternal reminder of our wanderings in the oppressive desert of hate/segragation, lables, jugement, selfishness and misuse of power. Shemini Atzeret marks our departure from the temporary period of our desert sojourn when we emerged from a nomadic existence to enter the promised, permanent, land of Peace, Harmony, Tolerance/Acceptance, Love and Light.

Reading The Hints...

2014-06-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

A boy was walking through the forest. The sun was shining, birds were singing and the air was filled with the sweet scents of wild flowers.

The boy's heart was filled with joy, a joy of life!

Suddenly, he tripped over the root of a tree. He fell to the ground.

"Oh God," cried the boy, "Why did you do this to me? Is this how you take care of me?!"

The boy got up and started walking again. He was too good hearted to hold a grudge, and pretty soon he was walking on a new path, full of joy and with renewed hope.

A little tired, he went down to the river to satisfy his thirst and regain his strength. while climbing back up from the river to continue his journey, he slipped and hurt himself on a rock.

"Oh my Dear God, Why am I so unlucky?! Again, you don't help me walk in my path!"

As soon as he got up, a tree stump fell near by and barely missed him. The boy decided to find a different path, and continued walking. He walked with joy in his heart.

This is what the boy did not realize:
During the first incident, a venomous snake was crawling towards him. Had the boy not tripped over the tree root, he would have been bitten by the snake and been in big trouble!
In the second incident, had he not slipped on the rock, the tree stump would have fallen and crushed him.

The path lead him to the end of the forest. Suddenly, black clouds rolled in, the sky got dark and torrential rain started falling. A storm was brewing around him.

The boy ran in the hope of escaping the rain, but on the way he fell and broke his arm.

He hated God.

"I don't believe in you anymore!" Yelled the boy in frustration.
"I will never again walk in the paths you show me!" The boy continued yelling with frustration and pain.

The boy did not realize that the big tree he was walking under was struck by heavy lightning, and that the fall saved his life.

We often don't pay attention to events that happen in our lives. Those events might just be our destiny signs...

Remember: In every situation don't ask "Why?" ask "What for?"

A REAL JEWISH MOTHER

2014-05-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

This story took place about 90 - 100 years ago:

"A renowned Rabbi of the old Jewish settlement in Jerusalem was the holy Rabbi Dovid Biederman, a scion of Rabbinicand Chassidic lineage. He was known as a Tzaddik (righteous man) among Tzaddikim (righteous men). His only concern in life was whether or not he was living up to the
expectations of his Creator.

Once, R' Dovid decided to undertake the arduous, almost day-long trek on donkey from Jerusalem to the graveside of Rachel Imainu. He set out early in the morning, right after the conclusion of the sunrise morning prayers.

The entire way he contemplated and organized the prayers he would say there. He wanted to be sure not to forget anything, since it was only infrequently that he had the opportunity to make the journey.

When he finally arrived he saw that was not alone. A woman with a number of small children had arrived previously and was making herself at home in the monument's domed chamber. She had already spread out a blanket and laid the youngest child down to sleep. When R' Dovid arrived she was busy preparing the evening meal.

R' Dovid was incredulous. Did she have no regard for the sanctity of the site? Didn't she realize where she was? How could this woman busy herself with such mundane matters in such a Holy place?

R' Dovid approached the woman and in a less than friendly tone demanded an explanation. The weary woman looked up at R' Dovid from her seat on the floor and replied softly, "I would think that our Mother Rachel would be pleased that we are eating and resting here."

R' Dovid felt suddenly faint and uneasy. He realized that he had been making the journey to Rachel's Tomb for decades and had not even begun to understand what it represented.

Here was a simple woman, yet she possessed a profound grasp of the true holiness of Rachel's Tomb. What had he been doing here all those years!?

He now understood that Rachel was the mother who wept and prayed for her children. Her desire is only that we should have some relief, some comfort in life, some peace of mind in order to better serve The Creator.

From that day on, whenever R' Dovid travelled to the Tomb of Rachel, he made sure to bring with him a meal which he would share with all the others who came to entreat our mother Rachel to intercede for them and bring their prayers on high."

Often, a holy place can be found in our daily lives. We sometimes put more emphasis on the appearance and status of things, and forget to truly look around for holy moments and places.

Every living Being נִשְמַת כָּל חַי

2014-05-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

נִשְמַת כָּל חַי תְּבָרֵךְ אֶת שִׁמְךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ

Nishmat kol chai tevarech et Shimcha, Adonai Eloheynu.

Every living Being will Bless Your name, Creator our Ruler.

Nishmat is one of the most beautiful poetic adoration in all of liturgical literature, recited as part of the Shacharit (morning) service on Shabbat and festivals (such as Yom Kippur). It's also said at the Pesach Seder. According to the Zohar, it was first recited on Shabbat during the Tannaitic period (10-220 C.E.)

-Parshat Terumah 138a; Parshat Vyacheil 205b.

According to Rabbaynu Yonah it was instituted as a congregational prayer in the Geonic period (c. 10th century)

-Berachot 24a, s.v. Hakoraya Behoda'ah.

Nishmat Kol Chai is a powerful prayer which brings great blessings to whomever says it at any time. People in need of a livelihood, marriage, children, health and/or healing, protection from danger, and success in all endeavors, can pray for these things by saying Nishmat Kol Chai.

While reciting Nishmat Kol Chai, a person can keep other people in mind for a blessing or a healing as well

play the chant below to help you pray/meditate, or use your own version.

As you have become accustomed to by now, here is my version/translation of Nishmat in a nut shell:

We praise Creator whom we know as One,

And whose children are one family.

Black and White, Yellow and Brown,

Tall and Lean, Small and Round,

Long-haired and Bald.

From All continents, All religions,

All nations and languages.

All are Your children, all are one,

The offspring of the one Creator.

A Healing Meditation

2014-01-31T16:08:00.000-08:00

In Kabbalah, names like symbols are believed to possess magical powers. There was even a ritualistic exercise that the early Kabbalists practiced called "putting on the names."

These mystics actually clothed themselves in robes that were inscribed with all the sacred names of God. This costume was an external reminder of the power that these holy names contained.

While wrapped in this mystic gown, the Kabbalists would begin an undistracted meditation on God's various holy names. This would eventually induce some kind of visionary experience, which provided answers to the mystic's questions.

The ancient Kabbalists also stressed that the invocation of God's names did not compel the Creator to respond to the will of the mystic who invoked the Divine Presence.

Even today's Kabbalists believe that they can increase their power by chanting such sacred names. They identify with the centuries of power enfolded in the use of these holy names, confident that by reciting God's names they will be connected to the all-powerful source of healing.

This sense of connection is also why prayer is so important in healing. It automatically connect you to a healing source of power. For your prayer to be effective, you must experience a deep, from the heart, connection with the Almighty when you pray.

Here is a story that illustrates the importance of calling upon God from the heart and soul rather than from the intellectual faculties.

There was a wealthy Jewish lady who lived along Park Avenue. This woman was well-educated and spoke French and a couple of other languages as well. She was in the hospital giving birth and was surrounded by two or three nurses.

The woman began to scream and call upon God in French. "Monsieur, I'm suffering." She shouted. The startled nurse called the woman's doctor, Dr. Schwartz.

The doctor asked the nurse what his patient was screaming about, because he didn't understand

French. When the nurse translated what she was saying, the doctor replied: "Let her scream."

Two hours later the woman was screaming again. This time she was shouting "Jesus help me, help me." Again the nurse called the doctor. He listened and said, "Let her scream."

Several hours later the nurse was back on the phone with the doctor. "What is she screaming now?" he asked."Shema Yisrael," the nurse replied. "I'll be right over," the doctor said. He knew that this time the cry came straight from her heart - from her own spiritual tradition. The rest of her imploring were intellectual concepts that she had picked up along the way.

So if you want to draw power for your healing from the highest source, you must cry out from the heart. Your plea for help must come from the deepest and most authentic level of your soul.

Chanting one of God's sacred names can also help you remove fear from your life. You are calling upon your partner who is always there to lend a hand. You are also acknowledging your awareness of your union with spirit, and that is almost certain to light up the darkness.

Kabbalists believe that by repeating God's name, you are binding yourself to the spiritual world, and such binding opens a channel for Divine assistance. So do as the mystics do. Practice this closeness and oneness with God - called yichud - and it will help to bring healing energy into your life. Here is an exercise I would like you to try:

Exercise

Find a quiet, comfortable place where you will not be disturbed. Do some breathing exercises (breath in deeply and then exhale slowly until there is no breath. Repeat this process several times).

Now, choose one of God's holy names that you most resonate with. It may be Adonai, Adoshem, El, Yehovah, Ein Soph, or Rebono shel Olam - which translates into "Master of the Universe."

Chant the name you have selected seven times. Chat it with gusto and with a loving and joyful heart. However, if you are not the chanting type, it is perfectly alright to repeat the name you selected during a silent meditation while imagining the force and power behind this name.

Bring all the emotion you can muster into the repetition of this name. Do so for eight minutes. This is the Kabbalistic number which symbolizes God's name.

As you repeat the name, try to feel the presence of the Shekhinah (God's female emanation) within. Receive the flow of divine energy. Now send that energy within you to places that may need healing and pain relief.

Next, take a few deep breaths, relax, and think of yourself as healed. Imagining that result is a powerful affirmation of faith. I believe that by visualizing your prayer as one that has already been answered, you are taking action in an optimistic way.

You are affirming your faith and are preparing yourself to expect good results. From this point on simply be aware of improvements in your condition. Feel a sense of gratitude for the healing that you have been given from the Source of All Life. Say, "Ki Tov!" It is Good.

*Based on the teachings of Rabbi Joseph Gelberman z"l

ALIVE! Not for the Faint of Heart...

2014-01-09T16:58:00.003-08:00

RABBI SHAI'S NEW CLUB/TRANCE SONG AND MUSIC VIDEO
Press Play, Crank The Music Up and Enjoy!
(*Not for the faint of heart*)

NBC The Sound Of Music Live!

2013-12-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

So, I finally got the chance to watch "The sound of music - Live" this

weekend and this post is not so much about my opinion of the show (though, I really liked it), it's more about the deep sadness I feel/felt reading some of the negative reviews on Facebook, twitter and all over social media.

Don't get me wrong, critics in show business are necessary, and often give us a good perspective on movies, plays, musical performances etc. But what I've noticed is this new pattern we are in where people aren't satisfied with simply offering an opinion or making an intelligent observation. The new trend it seems, is to down right bash people and be extra mean spirited.

As I looked at my twitter and Facebook feeds during and after the premiere of "The Sound of music - Live," I was horrified at the level of heightened meanness. I saw posts attacking little children, bashing a singer's character and just being nasty on the whole. it seems that some people were not just satisfied with simply saying "I don't like the show," or "I thought the acting was a bit lacking." They had to be hateful and rude.

This is an epidemic of something much larger that is happening in our society. It seems that those who are mean spirited, rude and loud get a lot of praise and accolades. The meaner/ruder someone is, the more "fame," power and recognition they seem to receive. this permeates throughout our institutions, synagogues, churches, governments etc.

Leaders, actors, singers and public figures in all areas of society are lifted to unnatural pedestals, only to be harshly ripped off that pedestal and thrown into the mud, fire and brim stone. We revel in insulting, bullying, sending threats and attacking our public figures, as if they are to blame for all that goes wrong in our lives. We forget to take a step back and realize that "these people" are just like us. HUMAN. VULNERABLE. IMPERFECT.

It's time for us to stop the cycle of deep hatred and bullying. We must rise up and claim back decency, decorum and grace! Let's stop trying to always out-do each other. Let's start realizing that we are all human-beings who deserve love and respect. It's OK to have an opinion. It's OK not to like or agree with things, people and opinions. It's NOT OK to bully, be nasty and mean.

Each of us can do his or her part. We can stop the cycle right here, right now by being conscious of how we behave and not giving credit/accolades to those who choose to behave in uncivil ways.

When you allow people to make more withdrawals than deposits in your life, you will be out of balance and in the negative before you know it. Know when to close the account. It's always better to be alone with dignity than in a relationship that constantly requires you to sacrifice your happiness and self-respect.

Look At The Sunset and Smile!

2013-11-15T14:36:00.000-08:00

If you can look at the sunset and smile, then you still

have hope.
If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have hope.

If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope.
If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope.
If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope.

If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope.
If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope.
If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope.

If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you still have hope.
If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope.
If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope.
If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope.

If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then you still have hope.
If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection, then you still have hope.
If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope.
If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase..."yeah...BUT.," then you still have hope.

Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in. Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage. Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it. Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction. Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places.

Never lose hope !

Be In B.A.L.A.N.C.E

2012-10-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

A Mother and her five-year-old son were talking about what he learned in kindergarten that day. The mother let her mind wander while her son was speaking. He began tapping on her knee and said, “Mommy, listen to me!” “But I am listening,” replied the mother. “No, you’re not,” said the son, “You’re not listening in your eyes!” It’s time to pay more attention to your loved ones and people around you.

It is very easy in our busy, very connected, sometimes 24/7 world, to find ourselves mired in our own space. Just one more text message, another email and I’m done. By the time we know it, the minutes and hours just pass by us and our loved ones often feel “cheated,” hurt and lonely.

We make so much time for ourselves and our technologies; we connect with hundreds, sometimes thousands of people a day through social media and the internet. But often, we forget/neglect to connect with the people we love and care about the most. They somehow tend to take a back seat to everyone and everything else. We may rationalize in our heads, “S/He will be here no matter what,” or, “They understand, I don’t need to worry about them.”

The truth is that s/he may not understand, and the person you love most may not be there if you don’t stop to look up from your constant texting, emailing and social networking, and start listening with “your eyes.” Don’t get me wrong, I am a big proponent of social networking and the technologies which enhance our lives in ways we have never imagined before. After all, I can often be seen in the halls and walls of Twitter and Facebook, chatting away and making connections. The key is BALANCE.

How can we live in BALANCE? The Kabbalah teaches that when we take words and break them down, hidden meanings and messages may be found (this is especially powerful with Hebrew letters, with which the Kabbalah is written). Let’s break down the word BALANCE -

To live in BALANCE:

Be – We are human beings, so be in the here and now.

Aware – Be aware of your surroundings, emotional and physical state.

Loving - Love with all your heart and soul from a place of light and blessings.

Attentive – Pay attention to what your inner core is saying.

Natural – Be yourself, who you are deep down in your ‘natural’ state.

Communicative – Communicate with your soul and the world around you.

Evolving – Life constantly changes, so we must ebb and flow through and with it.

When we live in BALANCE, we have less stress and we pay more attention to the needs of our loved ones, and the needs of our deep inner selves. Our Neshama (soul/breath) is lighter, freer and full of positive energy.

As you read this, you may be saying, “OK, Rabbi, it all sounds great, but How can I practically be in BALANCE in this busy, often media hyped world?”

The answer is simple. STOP. Turn off the texting, email, Internet for 5 minutes a day (If you can spare more than five minutes it would be ideal, but realistically you may only have five minutes a day and that’s great). Now, take a deep breath in. Then, slowly release your breath, take your time don’t rush it. With the breath, release any tensions/anxieties you may have.

Sit in the quietness for the remainder of your uninterrupted time and feel your whole physical and emotional self-become lighter, more excited. When the ‘time is up,’ reach out to one or more of your most important loved one (and yes, you may do so via phone or video chat, text or email), and say “I Love You!” Taking a complete day of rest (Shabbat), at week’s end, where you totally turn off all media and solely focus on family, friends, good food and joyous occasions, is another way to be in BALANCE.

By the way, the word for breath in Hebrew is נשימה N’sheemah, which comes from the root word of נשמה N’shamah (or soul). It is written is Genesis 2:7 –

“Then the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. “

When you take a deep breath you nourish your body and soul. When you take a deep breath and become more aware, you also take the soul to higher levels of wellbeing.

So, take a deep breath and appreciate the positive people and things in your life! Remember to Be in BALANCE. Also, remember to turn off your mobile world once in a while and connect with your loved ones, who matter the most, in a real, sincere way. BE there with your whole heart and soul not just with your ears, and you will experience great Joy and Excitement in your life.

Exercise

Yes, I know, you want to try the exercise mentioned above, but scrolling up is just too difficult J so here it is again:

STOP. Turn off the texting, email, Internet for 5 minutes a day (If you can spear more than five minutes it would be ideal, but realistically you may only have five minutes a day and that’s great). Now, take a DEEP breath In. Then, slowly release your breath, take your time don’t rush it. With the breath, release any tensions/anxieties you may have.

Also, dedicate one day of the weekend to rest, relaxation and family/friends time while turning off texting, emailing etc. (Shabbat).

Taking Chances and Moving On

2012-08-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

“If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.” –Ecclesiastes 11:4

Two seeds lay side by side in fertile ground during the spring.

The first seed said, “I want to grow, I want to establish deep roots beneath me and sprout. My dream is to grow in the spring and announce my arrival. I want to feel the warm sunshine and the morning dew caressing my soft leaves.” The seed grew and became a beautiful proud flower. Everyone around marveled at her beauty and strength.

The second seed said, “I’m afraid to establish deep roots here in this soil... Who knows what they will hit down there in the dark, and when I grow, my sprouts could also be damaged... And if I have flower buds, they will be destroyed by bugs. No, I think I’ll just wait until the time seems right, then I’ll establish my roots.” And the second seed began waiting.

One day, a hungry bird flew by and saw a tasty seed lying exposed in the fertile soil. She swooped down and ate the second seed. So it is with life, those who are afraid to take risks in life end up being (or feeling) “eaten.”

It is important for us as human Beings, to establish roots in order to feel safe, warm and loved. And sometimes, in order to establish real roots, connections and or dreams, we need to take a risk there and then.

Get up and out of your comfort zone once in a while. Don’t just sit there waiting for the next best thing to come, or for the moment to be “right.” Take action now. At the end of the day, only you can change things – only you can plant those roots deep in the ground and become a beautiful, strong flower.

Sure, there are obstacles, doubts/fears, and people who seem to stand in your way. But ultimately, you make the choice. You can choose to be the first seed and thrive. Or, you can choose to be the second seed and be eaten alive, living with resentment, fear and doubt, always just waiting for the right situation to come along.

Experience the wonder of you, the beauty of you. Experience your essence. Experience the miracle that is life. Let that feeling grow, bathe in it. Let it be - let you be. BE.

Neglect of your own well-being, all those years spent wondering... Stop listening to promises and act to carve out a new life. If you can find something positive to learn in any situation, you'll be able to control your state of well-being.

Each day is a new canvas to paint on. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you'd painted something different. A happy person takes time to see the bigger picture and appreciates what isn’t wrong. Each moment in a day, has its own value: Morning brings hope, afternoon brings faith, evening brings love and night brings rest Find them all today!

Exercise

Think about your goals for this week (love, work, family etc. – what would you like to achieve in order to live a happier, more fulfilled life)? Pick one or two of the goals you most want to achieve this week and answer the following questions;

When am I going to start taking action?

What can I do in the next twenty-four hours that will move me toward achieving my goal/s?

How will I celebrate my success?

Be open minded, relaxed, creative and flexible when coming up with a course of action.

*For more inspiration check out Rabbi Shai's Book "Changing Curses For Blessings"

O' Lord Take Me Home

2012-08-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

During a recent flare up of my autoimmune condition, waking up every morning with great pain in my legs and stiffness all over, barely able to get out of bed (it took 20 minutes some days) - I had a moment of shear depression, sadness, darkness and feeling a little sorry for myself.I sat down one day to meditate and pray to Gd for healing, "normalcy" and the strength to lift my head up high and not let this "thing" beat me!

I was in deep prayer when suddenly this melody, and these words started bursting out from within my soul. I felt the angels singing along and I immediately felt a strong Light surrounding me and great Love filled my heart. The pain was still there but it was not as intense, the sadness gave way to Joy and a sense of blessings. I knew right away that I had to record this prayer/song so that others will (hopefully) experience it's healing powers of love and light.

Please click on the player below to listen to this prayer, and feel free to sing/chant along with the lyrics (below the player) or any words your heart and soul may feel.

These are the lyrics for the prayer:

Sit here now and pray

That salvation will come my way

With this heart ache and pain

Let me see the sunlight through the rain

O' Lord take me Home

O' Lord let me see Your Glory

O' Lord I need you now

O' Lord take me Home

Let me see Your mountains of Glory

Let me see Your rivers of Hope

Swim in the oceans of tomorrow

Walk in the valleys of Love

O' Lord take me Home

O' Lord let me see Your Glory

O' Lord I need you now

O' Lord take me Home

There are Blessings all around me

Love and Light abound

I spread my wings and fly in all directions

Then I can feel you all around

O' Lord take me Home

O' Lord let me see Your Glory

O' Lord I need you now

O' Lord take me Home

Thank you Creator for Or Ahavah (Love and Light) and may all those who seak Healing and Peace find You in their midst!

My Life with SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

2012-04-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

That is a medical word that was introduced to me in November 2010. I tried pronouncing it phonetically by its spelling and then hearing it for the first time by my doctor confirmed I had it wrong. Spondel-oar-thri-tis. That’s close enough.

Now that a name was given to a condition by describing to the medical community my symptoms and undergoing extensive, sometimes invasive tests, it was as if I was a member of the National Geographical Society Medical Condition Explorer group. I embraced an imaginary flag into my left hand, placed my right hand on my hip and looked up in an explorers pose. If anyone looked closely, a slight grimace was etched into my face. Though I have great pain and fatigue I don’t want to paint a picture of doom.

I was on a medication called Methotraxate which was very toxic and had side effects. One of the most unusual side effects of my condition is the disbelief by others who look at me and say, “But you don’t look sick.” They seem to believe I’m making things up and or exaggerating and for that reason mostly, I keep an upbeat positive outlook and don’t tell people what I’m going through.

My vision is that this blog post will be read by those researching on their own about Spondyloarthritis, and those who have friends and family who are going through this. By now you are on a journey of learning.

At this point it has been a year and a half since being diagnosed. I’ve experienced the early stages of what you are going through. The intense pain, fatigue, stiffness that in most cases, comes and goes, the terrible depression that can hit at any moment causing you to cry out of the blue, not want to leave the house for days on end, and the feeling of “I’m alone in this, no one really cares...” I’m determined to lead a productive life with normal longevity as the medical community has determined.

I’m encouraged that newer treatments are constantly becoming available. It is important to do some form of regular exercise to maintain joint and cardiovascular health. Your Internet connection can become your source of inspiration and information.

Of all the definitions of my condition, this one probably speaks louder than the others: Spondyloarthritis (or spondyloarthropathy) is the overall name for a family of inflammatory rheumatic diseases that can affect the spine and joints, ligaments and tendons. These diseases can cause fatigue and pain or stiffness in the back, neck, hands, knees, and ankles as well as inflammation of the eyes, skin, lungs, and heart valves. While there is no course of prevention at this time, treatment can reduce discomfort and delay the development of spinal deformities.

There, you have it. I mentioned it only to let you know that I am on the right page with what you may have been reading but what you don’t see often enough is that the body responds greatly to your thoughts. From this point forward, believe that you become what you think about the most. In other words, thoughts become things. You become what you think about and it’s never too late to start changing the way you think. A positive attitude is the key to pain relief and lesser symptoms.

Some will look at you and say, “You don’t look sick,” which may make you doubt that thoughts have anything to do with who you are or what you are or how you feel. I had my doubts on the subject too (and still do from time to time).

And for those who may know someone suffering with a chronic condition, please be more sensitive and watch the things you say or the judgments you make. Comments such as “it's all in his head”, “You don't look sick or in pain,” Maybe you just need some exercise,” “You should eat less and lose some weight,” You just need to stop feeling sorry for Yourself,” are insensitive and uncalled for. Often, people with chronic conditions don’t look or seem “sick” when in fact they are suffering a great deal. They put on a happy face when in company or you simply see them on a good day when the symptoms are “bearable” and down.

So when depression seeps in because of the pain and the fact that you feel alone, surrounded by people who don’t seem to understand or to really care, lift your head up high and turn to those who do truly care and support you. Find that one person (or people) who will be by your side no matter what, hug him/her and embrace what they have to offer. Cultivating faith in a higher being or power, that is there to comfort and support you through these tough times, has also helped me tremendously. Meditation and prayer are also great ways to ease some of the physical and emotional pain. You can also join various online and local support groups, where people with your or similar conditions offer a shoulder to lean on and good practical/emotional advice.

Go ahead, join me in thinking positive thoughts, healthy thoughts, and expect these thoughts to manifest. Surround yourself with positive, Light-filled people who will nurture and support your journey.

What do we have to lose? Pain and discomfort?

The beginning...

Resources:

http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/SpecialFocus/Pages/Spondyloarthritis.aspx

http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/spondyloarthritis.asp

http://www.spondylitis.org/about/undif.aspx

http://www.asas-group.org/mission-statement.php

Eat The Frog! A Short Message about Procrastination and Motivation

2011-08-09T16:20:00.002-07:00

There's an old saying: "If you eat a live frog when you first wake up in the morning, nothing worse can happen to you for the rest of the day..."
What does this saying mean? Let's take a closer look:

The frog, represents the most difficult and disheartening task in our daily routine, that thing we least want to do. This is probably the task that we're most likely to put off all day...

In reality, if we get this thing out of the way now, we will feel a burst of energy - we'll find ourselves motivated for the rest of the day! However, if we continue to put it off, delay it again and again, it will sit on our heads all day, drain our energies and make us miserable.
Perhaps, without even knowing it, procrastination just hurts us in life. It doesn't allow us a chance to rest/relax.

So what should we do from now on? Precisely the thing we want to put off, first. Because in all actuality, if we get this out of the way, we'll become free and happy to do whatever else we want to do, with a clear/quiet conscious. Instead of saying: "Oh! I don't have the energy to do it right now - I just don't want to..." We may want to say: "If I get this task out of the way, I'll be free and happy!"

Come on then, what are we waiting for? Let's get it done now! Take small steps instead of just complaining. Remember, every little step brings you closer to your ultimate goals.

I think it's worth mentioning that, sometimes we don't do something because we are afraid we won't do it correctly, or we we feel that we're not good enough for the task. Sometimes we fear that even if we do succeed, we don't deserve the success. To over come these feelings we need to develop self assurance, self love, and faith. Be truly yourself and let The Light shine from the inside out. You can change your negative emotions immediately, by thinking of something joyful, or singing a song, or remembering a happy experience.

Experience the wonder of you, the beauty of you. Experience your essence. Experience the miracle that is life. Let that feeling grow, bathe in it. Let it be - let you be. BE. Neglect of your own well-being, all those years spent wondering... Stop listening to promises and act to carve out a new life. If you can find something positive to learn in any situation, you'll be able to control your state of well-being.

Each day is a new canvas to paint on. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you'd painted something different. A happy person takes time to see the bigger picture and appreciates what isn’t wrong. Each moment in a day, has its own value: Morning brings hope, afternoon brings faith, evening brings love and night brings rest Find them all today!

When we live with emunah - faith in Creator, ourselves and the world around us - we achieve cheirut (freedom). We live a life of hope and purpose.

Pay Attention To Life And Life Will Pay Attention To You!

BUILD YOUR SELF ESTEEM, A STARTER GUIDE TO SELF IMPROVEMENT

2011-07-26T15:19:00.004-07:00

So how do you stay calm, composed and maintain self esteem in a tough environment? Here are some tips you may to consider as a starter guide to self improvement.

Imagine yourself as a Dart Board. Everything and everyone else around you may become Dart Pins, at one point or another. These dart pins will destroy your self esteem and pull you down in ways you won’t even remember. Don’t let them destroy you, or get the best of you. So which dart pins should you avoid?

Dart Pin #1 : Negative Work Environment
Beware of “dog eat dog” theory where everyone else is fighting just to get ahead. This is where non-appreciative people usually thrive. No one will appreciate your contributions even if you miss lunch and dinner, and stay up late. Most of the time you get to work too much without getting help from people concerned. Stay out of this, it will ruin your self esteem. Competition is at stake anywhere. Be healthy enough to compete, but in a healthy competition that is.

Dart Pin #2: Other People’s Behavior
Bulldozers, brown nosers, gossipmongers, whiners, backstabbers, snipers, people walking wounded, controllers, naggers, complainers, exploders, patronizers, sluffers… all these kinds of people will pose bad vibes for your self esteem, as well as to your self improvement scheme.

Dart Pin #3: Changing Environment
You can’t be a green bug on a brown field. Changes challenge our paradigms. It tests our flexibility, adaptability and alters the way we think. Changes will make life difficult for awhile, it may cause stress but it will help us find ways to improve our selves. Change will be there forever, we must be susceptible to it.

Dart Pin #4: Past Experience
It’s okay to cry and say “ouch!” when we experience pain. But don’t let pain transform itself into fear. It might grab you by the tail and swing you around. Treat each failure and mistake as a lesson.

Dart Pin #5: Negative World View
Look at what you’re looking at. Don’t wrap yourself up with all the negativities of the world. In building self esteem, we must learn how to make the best out of worst situations.

Dart Pin #6: Determination Theory
The way you are and your behavioral traits is said to be a mixed end product of your inherited traits (genetics), your upbringing (psychic), and your environmental surroundings such as your spouse, the company, the economy or your circle of friends. You have your own identity. If your father is a failure, it doesn’t mean you have to be a failure too. Learn from other people’s experience, so you’ll never have to encounter the same mistakes.

Sometimes, you may want to wonder if some people are born leaders or positive thinkers. NO. Being positive, and staying positive is a choice. Building self esteem and drawing lines for self improvement is a choice, not a rule or a talent. God wouldn’t come down from heaven and tell you – “George, you may now have the permission to build self esteem and improve your self.”

In life, its hard to stay tough specially when things and people around you keep pulling you down. When we get to the battle field, we should choose the right luggage to bring and armors to use, and pick those that are bullet proof. Life’s options give us arrays of more options. Along the battle, we will get hit and bruised. And wearing a bullet proof armor ideally means ‘self change’. The kind of change which comes from within. Voluntarily. Armor or Self Change changes 3 things: our attitude, our behavior and our way of thinking.

Building self esteem will eventually lead to self improvement if we start to become responsible for who we are, what we have and what we do. Its like a flame that should gradually spread like a brush fire from inside and out. When we develop self esteem, we take control of our mission, values and discipline. Self esteem brings about self improvement, true assessment, and determination. So how do you start putting up the building blocks of self esteem? Be positive. Be contented and happy. Be appreciative. Never miss an opportunity to compliment. A positive way of living will help you build self esteem, your starter guide to self improvement.

Ruth; THE MOST Beloved Character in The Bible

2011-06-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

The book of Ruth (megillat Ruth) is an exceptional literary work. There are no negative characters in it, or even complex characters. All of the heroes are good and pleasant, polite and generous. They live a life of love, admiration, peace and friendship - without any jealousy, intrigue, or other human activities that often accompany our lives.

And the most perfect in this brilliant story is Ruth, our main Hero. We fall in love with the first sentence coming out of her mouth, and our love for her grows stronger with each passing scene, from beginning to end. I don't think there's a more beloved character in the Bible than Ruth. Even King David, her famous great-grandson, who is considered one of the Bible's greatest loves, attracts a lot of adversity, while Ruth is beloved by everyone; the protagonists and readers, from biblical times until today.

Our sages (Chazzal) ask:

מגילה זו אין בה לא טומאה ולא טהרה ולא איסור ולא היתר. ולמה נכתבה? ללמדך כמה שכר טוב לגומלי חסדים.

"This scroll has no impurity and no purity, not a ban and no permit. Why was it written? To show you that, deeds of loving kindness reap great rewards."

The book of Ruth is a story, not law. It doesn’t contain any rules/commandments (mitzvoth), but it does contain many acts of loving kindness bestowed upon it’s heroes by one another.

So what possible lesson can we take from such a story full of goodness?

Our Sages believe that the educational effect is created by the introduction of an ideal world: Everyone is good, and everyone gets rewarded for his/her goodness.

In our “realistic” world today, we must often push and fight to get respect, get heard and make our mark. Being kind/nice is often seen as a weakness by others.

But in Ruth’s world the more acts of loving kindness one does, the more successful s/he becomes.

I very much admire Chazzal’s interpretation of the book of Ruth. Especially in light of all the popular reality shows on TV which present us with a world that is completely upside-down. For example, “House wives of...” shows that the success of one person always comes at the expense of another: The person who screams the loudest, gossips, spreads the most rumors and commits unkind acts, is the one who receives fame, money and acclaims. It seems to be the general theme in most reality shows. These shows however, present a limited reality that “dresses up” as the real world. Life isn’t always about “it’s you or me,” often it’s “you and me,” and sometimes it’s “Just me and I don’t care about you, I’m the only one that matters and the world revolves around me...”

So perhaps, the book of Ruth does not exactly reflect the real world we live in. Well, not perhaps, for sure. The person who does acts of kindness and is sweet/good isn’t always rewarded by society. At the same time, reality shows also don’t fully reflect our lives. And between those two unrealistic alternatives, the book of Ruth, according to the readings of Chazzal, at least offers us an ideal that we can and should strive for.

Ruth shows us that we should love, be loyal and decent. We should care for others and make sure the people around us are doing well. We should not be so self absorbed, that we only give in order to get something back, and we should get ahead/make our mark through the goodness of our hearts and not by being shallow and self centered.

Ruth is the most beloved Character in the Bible because she is sweet, nice, loving, caring and thoughtful. She gets rewarded for all these qualities and is put on a pedestal by her society for them.

May we strive to live in a world where kindness, love and light live; a world where the ones who do acts of loving kindness, are always seen as Heroes.

Are You A Carrot, An Egg, Or A Coffee Bean?

2011-06-01T16:28:00.000-07:00

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed that, as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes, she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," the young woman replied. The mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened! The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" the mother asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?" Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong but, with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit but, after a death, a breakup, or a financial hardship, does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

The Spiritual and Physical benefits of Walking

2011-05-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Walking (and exercise) has benefits beyond the merely physical. Many people walk as much for mental and spiritual well-being as for fitness. Can walking make you happy? Can it help you deal with life stress? Can it help you work through relationship problems? Can it lead to a deeper spiritual and religious life? For many, the answer is Yes!

Walking outside has an enormous impact on mood, creativity, and mental clarity. Because of this, it can get you through failure and loss, get you past rejection, and help you reverse setbacks. Studies have shown that exercise-induced brain chemicals help people think more clearly. In addition to helping you think, taking a walk outside elevates your thought to a higher creative plane. Somehow, getting moving in the fresh air (or even in city air) gets you out of the box. Your mind can more easily find new perspectives when you’re in motion out in the world.

Walking reminds you of your connection to all that is. All energy is connected, but when we get wrapped up in the daily intricacies of our “what is” life, we often forget that. A walk outside can remind you of the vastness to which you’re connected. Knowing you have all that energy flowing to you, through you, and from you, can give you the sense of power you need to come back from any disappointment. Of course you’ve heard of endorphins. Walking creates them. Which means that walking boosts your mood. When your mood is depressed, it’s tough to find the positive aspects that can lead you to solutions and better and better experiences. Studies have shown that regular walking can relieve depression, and that has certainly been my experience.

Walking opens possibilities. When you walk outside, you see so many different things. You see movement and color and shapes. You see people and events. All of this constantly moving sensory input (and even a static setting has this constant movement … think of the ocean waves or blowing leaves), taps into your ability to see possibility. Setback can feel like a static experience, an ending. Walking can show you just how open the world is. If you’re moving, your energy is flowing. Your energy is flowing even if you’re not moving, but you’re more aware of it when you’re moving. Feeling the blood flowing in your veins and your heart thumping can amp up your sense of being endless energy. Combining this movement with the sensation of a breeze or the sun or rain or other aspects of nature revs up the flow of energy in your body.

Walking gives you time to go deeper and consider fundamental questions: What is the purpose of life? Am I fulfilling my purpose in life? What have I done that has made the world a better place? What ought I do? Have I caused hurt that I should now mend? What comes after life? What is the best way to live the rest of my life? These are questions for believers and nonbelievers alike. The time away from other cares and pressures gives you time to dwell on these fundamentals.

The spiritual benefits of walking address issues such as sense of connectedness, and ability to contemplate deeper values. They are not related to any specific belief system. At the most obvious level, walking gives us time to contemplate and also can be used as a meditation, connecting mind and body. When we are out walking and see beautiful scenery, we get that sense of wonderment of being alive, especially with the increased vibrancy that comes from being physically fit. Because walking is slower paced than driving or even bicycling, when we see people in our walks, there tends to be a sense of belonging and community which contributes to our spiritual well-being.

Our lives are very busy and it's often hard to find the time to take care of ourselves in this fast-moving world. Small walks are a great way to receive the benefits of walking. If time allows, walk your kids to school. Instead of taking your car to run a short errand, take a walk if the place is close enough. When it comes to exercise, nothing can really beat walking. After all, it's something we already do everyday. It doesn't require any special equipment, and it's something that will benefit the body and the mind.ieve the benefits of walking. If time allows, walk your children to school. Instead of taking your car to run a short errand, take a walk if the place is close enough. When it comes to exercise, nothing can really beat walking. After all, it's something we already do everyday. It doesn't require any special equipment, and it's something that will benefit the body, mind and spirit.

A wealthy Beggar – A Story of Inner Light

2011-05-04T18:15:00.002-07:00

One day, Sam, a poor man came home from work tired and exhausted. He begged The Creator for just a little treasure. All of a sudden, Sam noticed a little purse lying near his feet. A heavenly voice said to him: “Take this purse as a gift from Creator. You will find a single coin inside, and the moment you take it out, another coin will take its place – until you throw the purse into the river. The moment you spend the first coin, the purse will lose its magic powers.”

By that evening, Sam had succeeded in gathering a full sack of coins from the purse, but there was no bread left in the house, because he would not spend a single coin to buy food for himself. “I will gather another sack of money, and only then throw the purse into the river and begin to spend the coins.” That day Sam asked a neighbor for bread and on the following day he went out to beg for bread in the streets, because, as he said, “It wonâ€™t do me any harm if I fill another sack with coins before I spend the money and throw the wonderful purse into the river.” And so he continued to beg for bread and to gather coins until the end of his days, never spending anything because he did not want to part with his wonderful purse. Sam died a very rich man and his home was filled with sacks of coins – but he died still a poor beggar.

Sam did not realize that in order to truly change his life, he needed more than just money and material possessions. He failed to realize that what he really needed was a different outlook, a change of direction. Even when his wishes/prayers were answered, he was “stuck” in a rut and couldn’t see beyond his negative feelings of fear, greed, the self perception that he was nothing but a poor beggar.

Often, like Sam, we don’t realize our potential and strengths. We wish to have this, and hope to become that. Then, when our prayers are answered, we forget to enjoy what we have. As a result, we keep it all to ourselves and forget to share with world.

It’s easy to get caught up in negativity and self loathing, sometimes it may even give us comfort. But consider this; instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing. The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. The difference between can and cannot are only three letters. Three letters that determine your life’s direction.Â Share your inner light without fear and or doubt. Light is good from whatever lamp it shines.

Living With Emunah (Faith) And Cheirut (Freedom)

2011-04-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

The Sfat Emet quotes a text from the Haggada: "Bechol dor vador chayav adamlir'ot et atzmo ke'ilu HU yatza miMitzrayim." That is, in each generation, a personmust view him/herself as having personally experienced the Redemption from Egypt. The Sfat Emet takes this mandate seriously. This leads to a basic question: what should a person do to reach this goal?

The Sfat Emet answers that a two-step process is involved. The first step is to realize that, in reality, every generation experiences its own version of the Redemption from Egypt. With that belief under our belt, the Sfat Emet tells us, we can in fact re-live the original, prototypical ge'ula as a personal experience.
The Sfat Emet now elaborates on this idea: we are enjoined to re-live the experience of our Liberation from Egypt. That Liberation involved much more than escape from physical and political subordination to the Egyptians. Redemption also included escape from the spiritual and cultural oppression.

Continuing with this theme of experiencing Redemption, the Sfat Emet quotes a statement of the Maharal. The Maharal tells us, "certainly we all participated in the experience of the Redemption from Egypt as a klal (as a collectivity). But the Haggada is telling us more than the fact that we experienced Redemption as a collectivity. In mandating: "ke'ilu HU yatzami Mitzrayim (as though he himself came out of Egypt)", the Haggada is telling us that we must also experience Liberation on an individual, personal level."

How does a person achieve that goal of reliving the Redemption from Egypt as an individual, personal level? The Sfat Emet answers: "by joining the collectivity." (Note: The idea that an individual can achieve personal religious fulfillment by joining the collectivity is a startling paradox . Anyone but the Sfat Emet would steer clear of such an apparent internal contradiction. By contrast, the Sfat Emet explicitly recognizes the seeming inconsistencies that God built into the world. In fact, he gives them center stage.)

How does an individual become part of the collectivity? With emunah (faith)! by truly believing that we were redeemed from slavery in Mitzrayim (Egypt), we can re-live the actual experience. Once we affirm our membership in the collectivity, we can access this experience on an individual basis. But how does this process work (in the real world)? How does having emunah (faith) enable an individual to become part of a collectivity and experience Cheirut (freedom) at the same time?

The Sfat Emet has articulated two conditions for experiencing personal liberation. He makes it clear that both conditions involve emuna; affirmation of an unprovable truth. As he sees the world, emuna is necessary to arrive at the emet (truth). What are the two conditions for which emuna is required? A person must view him/herself as having participated in the Redemption, and he/she must have the emuna to recognize that were it not for the Redemption, he/she would not have a relationship with God (and inner light). With these two emunah conditions satisfied, a person will realize that indeed s/he is being liberated.

When we live with emunah - faith in Creator, ourselves and the world around us - we achieve cheirut (freedom). We live a life of hope and purpose.

A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul.

Weave in faith and God will find the thread.

A Whole New World

2011-04-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

When our hearts and souls are sick, our bodies get sick as well.

The Kabbalah teaches that the world we live in is a product of our perception of reality, and our attitude toward life, determines the world we live in.

Each of us has a choice. You can choose to believe that this world is filled with the light and presence of the Almighty who guides it and cares about it. Or you can believe that this world is one big accident, a chaotic mess. The choice is totally yours, but remember; What you believe creates what you will see, feel and experience in life.

So the question is: How would I act if I sincerely consciously believed that God's presence filled my life, my home, my world? How would I speak to and treat my family and friends? How would I face the tough times and challenges knowing that the light is with and all around me?

The way to increase our Divine consciousness and invite The Light to pour into our world, is by walking the talk - Taking actions such as:

Helping those in need around us.
Being more loving and genuine in our daily interactions.
Smiling at the person next to us in the elevator and saying "hello."
In general, making a bigger effort to Care/Love

With-out our efforts and consciousness, the light of God can't illuminate our world. We need God and God needs us.

It's amazing when we take off in an airplane on a dark, cloudy, gloomy day, how bright it actually is once we get passed the clouds - the sky is blue and the sun is shining in full force. Always try to remind yourself during dark times in your life, that the light is still shining. You just need to pierce through the clouds and let the Sunshine in. The darkness comes only because (and when) something is blocking the light.

It's important to take some time for introspection. It's equally as important to take action and become a Divine Light Shining Partner.

There Is Hope!

2011-04-05T14:06:00.004-07:00

When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that
things are so bad they have to get better. Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together.
What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?'

One day at a time--this is enough. Don't look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.
Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried because only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.

So what is hope?
Read more »

Exploring New Territories And Finding Light

2011-03-29T13:08:00.004-07:00

כאשר האור איתך כל זה בסדר

When the Light is with you all is in order.

Don't be afraid to explore new frontiers/territories, when the Light is with you all is in order. The Light is always with us, we just need to open our eyes/heart/soul. Even in our darkest night the sun comes up in the morning.

Changing curses for Blessings and Loving Yourself

2011-02-06T19:23:00.006-08:00

Samuel ibn Magrela was a Spanish-Jewish poet of the eleventh century who was vizier to the king of Granada. He was cursed one day in the presence of the king, who commanded Samuel to punish the offender by cutting out his tongue. The Jewish vizier, however, treated his enemy kindly, whereupon the curses became blessings.
When the king next noticed the offender, he was astonished that Samuel had not carried out his command. Samuel replied, “I have torn out his angry tongue, and given him instead a kind one.” The Rabbis rightly declare, “Who is mighty? S/He who makes his enemy a friend.” (Avot d'Rabbi Nathan 23)

We can take this statement even further and say "Who is mighty? S/He who makes her/him self a friend." lack of love for ourselves inhibits our compassion toward others. When we make friends with ourselves, there is no obstacle to opening our hearts and minds to others. Of course we have to walk a fine line between loving/valuing ourselves and being too self involved/absorbed.

Wholeness And Eating According To Kabbalah

2010-12-14T13:25:00.007-08:00

According to Kabbalah, in order to experience wholeness, the body needs to be cared for as much as the mind and soul. It is after all, the physical receptacle, which contains mind and soul. Without the body, there would be no sanctuary for G-d to dwell in.

You have to remember that this vehicle is very vulnerable, and can be afflicted by a variety of illnesses and diseases. The way we eat, how we eat and why we eat can cause the greatest harm (or good) to the body. Proper eating is a theme that occupies much of Kabbalistic literature. Even the word "Kosher," in the Bible means to eat what benefits your body. The Biblical prohibition against eating pork and certain other types of food was designed to protect the body from disease.

By eating healthy - and by this I mean anything in moderation and care - we can promote wholeness. It takes more energy for the body to digest food than almost anything else it does. If you are an excessive eater, you are not only slowing down your metabolism, but also inhibiting your spirit perception. You are also inhibiting your spirit perception if you don't eat enough food - moderation is key!

A spiritual person in general, watches what goes into his/her body and realizes that too much of a good thing is not so good after all. When we overburden the digestive system we are looking for trouble. How many of you eat while standing up, or rush through a meal? Where are you rushing too? Is something burning?

What you put into your body affects your future, and your future not only affects your friends and family, but your relationship to the Creator as well. You should pay attention to what you put in your body, and also pay attention to your state of mind while you are doing so. Most of the time we gossip when we eat. Each time we do that we take in some poison. Little by little that poison emerges as some form of sickness.

So be careful what you talk about over a meal. Better yet, try not to talk at all and concentrate on the sheer joy of eating. You don't have to be a student of Kabbalah to know that regular physical exercise, breathing exercises, restful sleep, and relaxation are all very important for the health of the body and spirit. A body that is fed food that honors life, that is well rested, and that is giving enough exercise is one that will respond with good health and well being.

It is also best to eat in meditative silence once in a while, even though it's a tough thing to do in our culture of constant stimulation and communications. Such silence can actually be an active, feeling and tender form of communication. In Kabbalah we often say, "Those who know do not speak, and those who speak do not know."

Of course it's your choice whether you wish to engage in this practice or not. But you should at least be aware that digestion is vastly improved when you are quietly concentrating on the taste and texture of the meal before you.

One of the greatest wrongs we commit against our body is discussing mundane matters - or even reading or watching TV - while we eat. These are all distractions that separate us from the sacredness of this moment.

Start slowly, dedicate two meals a week to silent meditation or a conversation that focuses on some spiritual matter (such as the joy of life), and you will see a big change in the way you feel, look and act.

Another thing to keep in mind is that when food arrives at your table, you are now receiving G-d's blessings. He/She somehow made this food possible. At this moment it's up to you to sanctify it. Contemplate the food that you are eating. Meditate on The One who created it. Pray over it before you eat. these are all gestures of gratitude and should be dine before and after eating.

By doing all that, you are also promoting harmony within yourself - a balance of body, mind and soul. Contemplation and or prayer establishes a grateful attitude and this positive frame of mind can lead to better digestion and improved health.

*Based on the teachings of Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman z"l

Living with Purpose

2010-12-08T07:17:00.002-08:00

Having purpose means having the ability to say "yes" to life - to be in love with life. A sense of purpose is also a vital element in strengthening your partnership with The Creator.

Some people prefer kvetching-or complaining-to healing. They have lost their purpose. Istead, they seem to pride themselves on being the person who has the worst life. Some people will often say, "I am sicker than you," or "I've been in therapy for years. My life is really bad."

This is not purposeful thinking. To have purpose means to be inspired to respond to the challenges of life. To say "I am" and "I will be." It means being awake and aware of opportunities to improve your life.

A purposeful individual will rally and respond to his/her physical or emotional challenge, while a less purposeful person will either continue to kvetch about it or decide to live a life filled with frustration and anxiety. So, which are you? A kvetcher or a doer?

In Genesis, Chapter 11, it is written: "And God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on that day He rested from all His work, which God created to make."

Notice the words-"which God created to make" or "la'asot" in the Hebrew. This can be interpreted as the purpose of man is to help The Creator to finish creation.

The Light did not complete creation. She/He purposely assigned human kind the task of completing it. The Creator wanted to give humankind purpose. Are you doing that right now? Are you living with a purpose? If you are, keep going! Always remember that you are the co-creator of your life. Tou are shutaf elohim, in partnership with The Creator.

You have purpose when you decide to be fully alive. Despite your hardships; when you don't allow life's troubles to crush you and turn you into a creature of despair and depression.

You manifest purpose when, instead of wallowing in negative emotions, you put all your intuitive and intellectual skills to work for healing.

Remember that The Light created you with all the wisdom and ability and awareness that you need to purposefully carry on with your life. Do your best and the best will come back to you.

Whenever you are feeling down or depressed, repeating the following affirmation may help lift your spirits. It will remind you of your special relationship with your Creator:

O my Light, perfection is my aim and my aim is perfect.

For I have purpose.

The spirit of The Creator guides me graciously

and lovingly in all the steps of this attainment.

Divine Mind, assure my success, for I have purpose.

(Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman Z"l)