Last part of Chapter 7. We discuss two situations, one in which regular penance, teshuva, will uplift the negative to positive and one in which the effects of teshuva will only bring about change in the spiritual realm post-death. I also briefly discuss how our mission is to plant the seeds and see what will grow and change from the seeds planted.
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Part 2 of chapter 7. We discuss what happens when we do the right action for the wrong reasons and how to overcome the taint to our soul as a result. This section deals with repentance out of love being the higher level that can remove the taints on our soul from doing forbidden actions and how we can relate to this concept through understanding different ways we ask for forgiveness.
Do you want to work on taking the actions of your life and find meaning in all you do and who you are? Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com
Part one of chapter 7. We discuss the intermediary animal soul, the kelipat nogah (shell that contains light) and how we can elevate this soul through our actions. The actions that elevate the soul are those things we do for the sake of having the vitality and strength to grow ourselves spirituality and connect to Gd. We explore a couple of examples of actions that can seem purely physical that can really be spiritual enhancers.
Do you want to work on taking the actions of your life and find meaning in all you do and who you are? Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com
This episode explores chapter 6 of Tanya. We discuss the animal soul vs. the divine soul that we have previously discussed. We look at the Alter Rebbe’s views of the animal soul as it relates to his views about universalism and particularism as well as how he is setting up this dichotomy to better define his primary target, the Beinoni (intermediary person). I express how some of these views can be a challenge in our modern world and how I find a way to reconcile it for myself.
I’m Here. If you or someone you know is in journeying along the waves of life, allow me to join you along the road to discovery. Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com
Exploration of chapter 5. In chapter 5, we discuss a couple of different ideas as it relates to the uniqueness of Torah study. 1. Studying Torah has a reciprocal effect in our relationship with Gd. 2. Torah study is the “greatest” of the commandments. 3. A brief piece on studying Torah “for its own sake.” I then offer a short excursus on the distinctions between in depth study and cursory study as it relates to spiritual growth, repeating a few key concepts from one of last week’s recordings.
I’m Here. If you or someone you know is in journeying along the waves of life, allow me to join you along the road to discovery. Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com
We are in the midst of Hanukkah. This is a time of celebration, joy and lots of fun activities and food (especially those who love fried foods like latkes and donuts). It is also, and perhaps moreso, a time of reflecting on how we are to have faith in things working out even in the seemingly impossible situations of life. By reflecting on the liturgy of the 8 day festival, which speaks about the overcoming of overwhelming military odds and the lighting of candles, going from 1 candle on the first night to 8 candles on the last night, one added every night, as a reminder of the story told of finding enough oil to only last one day which then lasted eight days, we have an opportunity to take stock and reflect.
In my work with people as a Spiritual Life Coach, we work to take the little jug of oil a person has uncovered, the desire to foster a change in life, and step by step craft the desired goals into a New Beginning. This is true for those dealing with grief and loss, with transitions in life and those just searching for a renewed sense of meaning. Fostering lasting change is miraculous in that it is often difficult to sustain the step by step growth. Too many of us struggle because we want to reach the end quickly and without fail, not realizing that the goal can only be reached one step at a time. This attitude can lead to failed opportunities and missed celebrations for milestones we reach along the way. Time and again, we each can find the ways to support and care for ourselves so that we may find the new lights we are trying to light in our lives.
As we light for the last time tonight, filling all 8 spots on the menorah, we should take a moment to reflect on the night by night process of how we got here. Some of us have felt rushed during the holiday, maybe not being home for every night, yet, we have continued to do in some way shape or form. It wasn’t a straight and perfect ride, yet we have arrived at the culmination point. I think this is true of our work of change as well. The process of change is not perfect. It has bumps and ditches along the way. Yet, when we reach a milestone moment, when we have a breakthrough that gives us the push forward to the next part of the growth journey, we should take the time to celebrate the imperfect, bumpy path we have taken to this point.
May we be blessed to appreciate the bumps along the way and the arrival to points along the path. May we remember to celebrate the incomplete as much as we come to enjoy the complete.
Continuing with chapter 4, we delve a bit deeper into the importance of searching and struggling in study as a means of connecting to Gd from our limited human capacity. I also share a short Hanukkah message about lighting one candle at a time as we add up from 1 the first night until 8 candles the last night of Hanukkah as a message about taking our spiritual work one step at a time.
I’m Here. If you or someone you know is in journeying along the waves of life, allow me to join you along the road to discovery. Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com
Today’s episode looks at the first parts of chapter 4, describing how our thoughts, speech and action all play a role in raising up our soul. This occurs through fulfilling the positive commandments and avoiding the transgression of the negative commandments. We also look at how speech and thought are two sides of the same coin, the immersion in learning Torah.
I’m Here. If you or someone you know is in journeying along the waves of life, allow me to join you along the road to discovery. Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com
Our next episodes reflect on chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 2 discusses the origins and understands of the word Nefesh (animation). Chapter three is a discourse on the sefirot, specifically Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (intellect) and Daat (understanding) and the beginnings of how contemplation can lead to awe and love of Gd.
Thoughts on part 2 of chapter 1. This continues to discuss the different types of person. I describe the sense of nefesh and two sides of the force. Finally, I attempt to grapple with a challenging passage describing the difference of soul between Jew and non-Jew.
This topic is particularly difficult in our more universalistic world. I am left with questions even after thinking through the answer.
New beginnings: A blog about spirituality, chaplaincy and renewal 