intentionality – New beginnings: A blog about spirituality, chaplaincy and renewal

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 78

Completion on Chapter 41. We shift back to the topic of intentionality and spiritual growth. This section deals with how our actions and level of spirituality might not match where we wish we we were. We discuss taking steps to grow spiritually and connect to Gd, recognizing each small step is a gain in the journey of connecting the soul back to Gd, giving delight to the divine throughout the process.

Episode 78

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Do you want to work on taking the actions of your life and find meaning in all you do and who you are? Are you struggling with your spiritual growth. Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 74

Continuation of chapter 40. We continue to explore intentionality by looking at the reason why mechanical, non-focused, prayer and learning have a partial effect. He suggests that doing things without intent is not as problematic because the prayers and study are already imbued with at least some holiness and light from the divine, even though our existence is greatly diminished from the Ein Sof light.

Episode 74

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 73

Beginning of Chapter 40. We continue looking at intentionality, Kavvanah. The piece today tries to distinguish the categories of Kavvanah, intentionality, and Lishmah, something for its own sake. We see the difference between the two in that lacking intention doesn’t fully take away from the action while doing something for an ulterior motive does.

Episode 73

All episodes can also now be heard on Apple Podcasts – here

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 72

Conclusion of chapter 39. We continued to explore the notion of intentionality in our actions as it pertains to his description of the divine realms. The love and fear of Gd we have as we are performing mitzvot, whether that which is intellectual or that which is from the animal soul play a role in our focus. We define the notion of the reward for a mitzvah is a mitzvah as well as the importance of taking action even for the wrong reasons so long as we are always striving to do things for the right intentions.

Episode 72

All episodes can also now be heard on Apple Podcasts – here

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 69

Conclusion of Chapter 38 – In the final section of this chapter, we discuss intentionality, kavvanah, seeing the two types, intellectual/proactive, and instinctual/reactive. This ties in with the overarching theme of how our mitzvot are divided into action and thought, with speech being the bridge between the two.

Episode 69

All episodes can also now be heard on Apple Podcasts – here

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 67

Beginning of Chapter 38. This chapter offers another perspective on the duality of speech and thought. We discuss the importance of verbalizing our prayers as it draws light into the body and reveals the light encased in the animal soul. We look at intentionality and the importance of lining up thought and speech, though sometimes speech can be “enough.” I also comment on how we learn intentionality from the sacrifices as it relates to this week’s Torah portion of VaYikra.

Episode 67

All episodes can also now be heard on Apple Podcasts – here

99 and 1 – 100 posts and seeing time in increments of 1%

Today I celebrate the 100th posting on this blog/website. As I reflect on the number 100, I find myself going back to my piece last week about the number 99 and prefer to see this post as number 99 + 1. I am grateful to have been able to share and reflect on a variety of topics with all my readers and look forward to continuing along on this journey of exploration.

For this post, I found myself trying to determine what the 1 of 99 + 1 could symbolize for me or what we could learn from this equation instead of merely sitting with the number 100. Fortunately, a colleague of mine in our local BNI group pointed out an idea about 1 as it relates to 1% of one’s day.

1% of the day is the equivalent of 14 minutes and 40 seconds. Imagine if we were intentional for just 1% of the time. What can you get accomplished in 14 min. and 40 sec. a day? According to this piece, TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE BY CHANGING JUST 1% OF YOUR DAY, we underestimate how much we can grow in this short burst of intentionality. We underestimate how establishing this small routine might very well be the mere opening to use more time with intentionality.

Similarly, in any long term activity we desire to take on, if we just take one piece at a time, we can find the greater success. For me, the achievement of this blog is not the total posts so far, but it is in each piece I write. Whether exceptional, plain or even subpar, each piece is a unique undertaking. And while it adds up over time, my focus can only be on the 1. Time is the same. I might be setting aside X hours to do a task, yet if I then break that down further and further to manageable moments, I will more likely come away with a better outcome. Too much and we get overwhelmed.

What do you do with your 1% of the day?

Exploring how to create a 1% a day practice?: Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com.