Was the Buddha “Engaged”?: The Work of Spirituality, a Buddha, and God Wrestler

Engaged Buddhism: The Work of Spirituality, a Buddha, and God Wrestler

In a recent blog post, I wrote about the intersection of politics and religion, particularly in the Jewish tradition. I received some questions and comments about how this would be similar or different within Buddhism or the various Dharma worlds and was asked to elaborate on my previous post.

These questions have raised an ongoing and challenging one for me: What really is the work of spirituality? What is the work of a Buddha? What is the work of a God Wrestler (one translation of “Israelite”)? Continue reading “Was the Buddha “Engaged”?: The Work of Spirituality, a Buddha, and God Wrestler”

What are Your “God Moments?”

What are Your God Moments?

There are some moments in life that can only be described as “God moments.” We may think that these can only be feel-good moments of pleasure and joy, but this is not always so. God moments may be experienced both when witnessing the miraculous or when feeling great terror or pain. God moments are those moments in our life where the naked truth is fully unveiled and we bear witness to the awe found in profound presence. Continue reading “What are Your “God Moments?””

What is Prayer?: How Do I Pray? And Can Prayer Be Meaningful?

What is Prayer? How Do I Pray? And Can Prayer be Meaningful?

Over the past few months, I have been reflecting very much about prayer. Especially since beginning Rabbinic study and founding Mindful Judaism, I have been exploring the following questions: What is prayer? How do I pray? And can prayer be meaningful?

There is a Rabbi Jonathan Sacks quote in the introductory essays to the Koren-Sacks siddur (Jewish prayer book) that I absolutely love: Continue reading “What is Prayer?: How Do I Pray? And Can Prayer Be Meaningful?”

What is Chanukah “Really”?: Rededicating the Temple and Sanctuary for Today

What is Chanukah Really - Rededicating the Temple and Sanctuary Today

As the nights darken and grow longer and colder, I notice myself growing a bit more introspective. The New Year is soon approaching, and it is a natural period of contemplation and looking back and ahead. This is the time of Chanukah. This is a time of reflection, embracing the dark and light, and a period of rededication. But a rededication to what? Continue reading “What is Chanukah “Really”?: Rededicating the Temple and Sanctuary for Today”

Should I Teach My Kids To Meditate? And When?!

Should I Teach My Kids to Meditate? And When?!

Here I am talking about the importance of meditation and practicing mindfulness. I can hear it now. Should I teach my kids to meditate? And is it too early now?!

If you’ve started a meditation practice, you’ve probably started to feel better and notice some positive effects in your life, but don’t make meditation one more thing to do for yourselves or your children. Continue reading “Should I Teach My Kids To Meditate? And When?!”

Sabbath Rest: Each Breath is a New Sabbath

Sabbath Rest: Each Breath is a New Sabbath

In the Book of Genesis (chapter 1), it is told that upon each day of creation, God looked after all of creation and said, “It is good,” and on the Sabbath day, God sat down, took a breath, returned again to creation, and now said, “It is very good” (Genesis 1:31).

On Shabbat, as on every day, there is nowhere to go, nothing to do, no one to be. “Every day is a good day” (Blue Cliff Record, Case 6). Continue reading “Sabbath Rest: Each Breath is a New Sabbath”

“Dog” Jews and “Cat” Jews: Contemporary Judaism, the Synagogue, and Jewish Innovation

“Dog” Jews and “Cat” Jews: Contemporary Judaism, the Synagogue, and Jewish Innovation

You have probably heard the old adage that there are dog people and cat people. Is this true? I don’t know! However, there very well might be dog Jews and cat Jews!

Contemporary Judaism is very dog like and extraverted. Moreover, synagogues are very dog places! But what about Jewish introverts? Is there a place for Jewish introverts, those who love or live with them, and others who just want to slow down and take a breath? Continue reading ““Dog” Jews and “Cat” Jews: Contemporary Judaism, the Synagogue, and Jewish Innovation”