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.
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.
Today’s episode looks at part 1 of chapter 1 in Likkutei Amarim Tanya. The focus is working through the notions of righteous, wicked and living in between as a Beinoni, an intermediate type of person, one who is living in a certain balance.
Today’s episode continues to explore the notions of the written word vs. 1-1 rebbe/disciple work. We discuss how a book can be a dialogue between two people.
Today we reflect on part one of the Compiler’s forward of Tanya. This episode discusses reading vs. working with a Rebbe/spiritual coach and discusses how the Torah contains pathways for all within the limits of the system.
Trying something new. I set up this anchor podcast account months back and finally found a use for it. I hope to record my thoughts on one of the fundamental books of Chasidic thought, Likkutei Amarim Tanya. This is the primary work of Chabad Chassidut. My goal, as I also share in the link below, is to try and engage with the book so as to better my understanding of what is going on in it. I invite you to listen and dialogue with me as I grapple with this book.
I have always been taken by this simple word/phrase. It is one of deepest and most powerful of all calls to action. Are we willing to truly acknowledge our presence in a crucial moment?
Below you will find an anecdote which I often turn back to about the power of being present.
It is told of one of my teachers, the late Milton H. Erickson, who was perhaps the greatest therapist of our era, that a patient, having heard of his healing prowess, traveled halfway around the world to see him. Entering Milton’s somewhat shabby office, he was shocked as he took in its well-worn furniture, overused chairs, and ramshackle bookshelves – rather humble surroundings for such a great man. Erickson noticed him looking around in disbelieve, fixed his intense gaze upon him, and said, “I know it’s not much, but I’M HERE!”
I’M HERE! We can have no better motto. Each of us is more than enough. Each of us is all we’ve got. Each of us and all of us are blessed. We need to know and be assured that our blessedness is not in the doing; it is in the being. We are blessed through no choice of our own. Our being blessed is God’s irrevocable gift. So when the going gets tough, and assuredly it will, each of us can do no better than to respond, “Hineni, I’m Here,” words that have reverberated down the ages. Each of us is more than enough. Each of us is a blessing.
I believe this message is one that resonates for all of us. Can we be comfortable in the uncomfortable situations knowing that our showing up is more than enough? Can we accept that sometimes the best thing to do is sit in silence when another is in pain, not worrying about fixing, but just being available to the person? Can we do this for ourselves as well, being compassionate and non-judgmental when we ourselves are struggling?
Part of what drives me in my work as a chaplain and now a spiritual life coach is this presence, this being. How many of us are just looking for someone who can sit and reflect with us during times of transition, times of difficulty, times of grief. I find it powerful in the moments of sitting with someone, just sitting. Yes, to coach and to chaplain requires more than sitting. Yet it requires the ability to know when sitting and being is the best approach.
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
New beginnings: A blog about spirituality, chaplaincy and renewal 