(Note: I wrote this in January of 2018. Since we have now entered 2020 - the year of "perfect vision" - I thought it was good to re-visit. My friend and amazing poet Devon Spier and I co-wrote the poem/meditation at the end.) The Back Story At first, I thought my clouded vision meant that I needed new glasses. Or maybe my eyesight was blurred because of Continue Reading
The Spiritual Practice of Gratitude
Noticing blessings is a profound spiritual practice that can be an antidote to despair. In even the darkest night, a pinprick of light illuminates. Upon waking, one’s attention may be called to all the aches and pain; notice what’s not hurting. When you lose someone special, call to mind all that you learned from her. This is a practice & it serves us Continue Reading
the silence that speaks
Upon awakening the first morning in our new place, the very first thing I noticed was the deep silence. Instinctively I took the deepest breath I had taken in months. Until we moved here to Laguna Woods, I didn’t even realize the noise level in west Los Angeles. I had obviously gotten accustomed to the constant roar of the freeway and the city Continue Reading
Is Jewish Mindfulness A Trend?
Why is "mindfulness" is such a big deal right now? IT'S NOT JUST A TREND. In our crammed, overloaded, overly-busy lives, mindfulness offers us a way to calm down, pause, and take a breath. Whether with meditation or yoga or prayer or singing or walking in nature, mindfulness practices provide ways to live consciously and with intent, with peace in our Continue Reading
Lift Out of Despair
I honestly can’t remember a time like this before. I know I’m not alone. Many of us are living with outrage, fear or anxiety front and center. It might be the relentless beat of painful world events. Or it could be something personal: a difficult diagnosis, coping with chronic illness, or the loss of someone important. Or more likely, a combination. A few Continue Reading