Nature Rabbi: A Quickie

Sunday, September 20, 2009

A Quickie

This day is fast getting away from me.

Have you ever noticed the relativity of time? In other words, do you have days where time drags, and other days where time zips right by? And for no apparent reason?

Sure, when we were kids, time seemed to drag until summer vacation, which sped by at lightening speed. But as an adult, there are mornings, like this one, where I am still savoring my morning coffee and catching up with myself (the last two days we celebrated Rosh HaShanah and I led services in Venice, so I have some catching up to do) --- and then I look at the clock and my morning has raced away.

I want to share a book with you: Mutant Message from Down Under.

This book, given to my by a congregant, really wowed me. It resonates with my own beliefs about the divine or cosmic energy we call God.

The one tiny morsel I want to share today is the ritual that this Aboriginal tribe used to begin their day, every day. The first thing they would do is face east, say blessings, which were often as simple as saying "thank you" and then, most importantly, set their intention for the day.

How long could this possibly take? And why couldn't we each (and this does mean me too) -- spend the few minutes it takes to wake up, say "thank you" and actually set our intentions for the day which will be unfolding before us.

Just a thought.....

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The Garden of Eden Vegan

Follow me in my journey to health and vibrancy. This year I began my journey as a vegan (no animal products) and then subtracted oil, sugar and processed foods, ergo, I have named this my Garden of Eden Vegan lifestyle.

Now I am learning the art of raw food preparation, I know:
take a banana,
remove peel,
eat.

I mean, artistic and creative raw food preparation.

If you have any interest in this type of lifestyle, join me, a former junk food junkie on this journey.

Check in at:

http://gardenofedenvegan.blogspot.com

Changing "I can'ts" to "I bet I can!"

One of my "I can'ts" is that I can't scuba dive. Of course I couldn't -- I was phobic of the water and couldn't swim. But now that I scratched: "I am afraid of water" off my list of self imposed limitations, as well as "I can't swim" -- there was no reason to keep the "I can't scuba dive" on the list. So here I am in Cozumel - awed by the underwater world. Proof of design and a Grand Creator. So what if a fish swam in for a closer look -- probably as shocked as I was; and so what if I was tied to my instructor because I kept floating away - I think we dropped the rope for the Kodak moment.

No need to live life with limitations -- impossible only describes the degree of challenge.

Letting Go of Fear

Sometimes we are the biggest obstacles in our own journeys. I discovered that I was the barrier to living my live fully, vibrantly and joyfully. At age 57, I said "no" too quickly. I decided to recreate my life "as a work of art." (so to speak)
Whenever there was some activity that came my way, instead of saying "no" -- I said, "why not?"

I can tell you that this is making this chapter of my life an incredible experience. One challenge I overcame is my fear of water. I loved being by the water, and have lived by water most of my life. I find its rhythm soothing to my spirit. Yet, I was afraid to venture into the water. One day, with the encouragement of my friend, Jan Small, aquatically known as "Flipper" -- I decided that enough was enough and I would face my fear head on and not only get wet, but learn how to swim. And by golly -- I love it. My aquatic name is "Nemo" -- we are coached by Kim Dinell in a method called Total Immersion. It is an incredible blend of yoga, pilates, and underwater hydrodynamics. As I flow through the water, I feel one with it, in a very fish like way. It is meditative and relaxing. Check out Total Immersion on the internet -- you might find it a peaceful change to the old fashion egg beater type of swimming where one misses the oneness with the water.

Thoughts by Anne Frank on Nature

One of the thoughts we shared at our Nature walk was written by Anne Frank:
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where thy can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be.

Shabbat Services on Saturday Morning - Oscar Scherer Park

The photos do not do the morning justice. As Bruce lead the service, played guitar, and we sang familiar melodies (with percussion of course) -- melodies that were sung by our ancestors on just such mornings -- in similar weather -- gathered in similar fashion. The older and the younger, families, and friends -- under a rising sun, wind through the leaves, the sound of nature all around. L'dor v'dor. From generation to generation. We celebrated the oneness of creation IN creation. We meditated on creation; on God's breath (ruach) as we inhaled, focusing on our interrelationship with the earth, the trees, the sky, the wind. And all was good, as it should be.

Nature Rabbi - Camping Expedition to Myakka Park

Soul-o meditations on a rainy afternoon

This afternoon, I decided to have a Soul-o time in my backyard. The practice of Soul-o meditations is to go outside to a common place -- your porch, your backyard, a place you can go to easily and often. Each day, or time you choose to sit, go to the same place, and watch the minutia of nature. Sit still, quietly, focus first on your breath, closing your eyes at first to still the chatter in your mind. Then, when you feel relaxed, open your eyes to observe the awe and wonder of nature. Watch this small spot of nature -- stir up the dirt and watch the life that thrives, normally unseen by the human eye. Today, the caterpillar photographed below, was my treat -- and then the pups joined me, curious to see what I was doing.

The reason for choosing an ordinary, easily accessible space, is several fold. First -- we can easily find awe, or God-moments, in the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, or at the water's edge. Not so easily in a dirt pile. And second, this should be a space that you can go to when you need a 5 minute nature fix -- just step right out of your door and it awaits you. And as time passes, you will see the transformation of nature in your sacred spot -- on rainy days, in sunshine, by the light of morning, or the glow of a full moon.

Adaptation

Below is a photo of a very special creation -- Helen - a three year old, blind and deaf hound dog. She is remarkable to share space with. I marvel at how adaptable she is. She has no sense of handicap. Within moments of entering a new area, she scouts the perimeter with a brisk and bold romp, and then zig zags around the space, and soon it becomes hers. She can race around, leaping through the air (or if in the house, from sofa to sofa) with the speed and grace of a gazelle.

Sight and sound are such wonderful senses to have -- and yet without them, our other senses become so acute and developed.

In my meditations -- I often choose a sense on which to focus in order to develop it richer.

Helen is an inspirational teacher, each moment she spends with me. She is an Under Dog foster, so she is available for adoption to a loving home.