06-May-2005
NATURAL ECSTASY
AROUND THE FIFTH century, CE, The Christian neoplatonist Pseudo-Dionysius wrote eloquently of our ascent toward the Divine:
"The more we take flight upward, the more we plunge into the darkness which is beyond intellect, [finding] ourselves not simply running short of words but actually speechless and unknowing. The more [we] climb, the more language falters, and when it has passed up and beyond the ascent, it will turn silent completely, since it will finally be at one with [the Divine] who is indescribable."
IF YOU'VE EVER had the privilege of spending time with a Sufi community, you'll know that they're some of the most warm and welcoming people you'll ever meet. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking to a community in Carbondale, Illinois, and picked up the second of their vibrant and spiritually energetic CDs:
MAJNUN is offering free postage to subscribers of my newsletter when you purchase either of their CDs. Visit their website to email your order, read the story behind their name, and check out their international tours at www.majnunband.com. You may also call to place your order at 618-529-5044.
HOWE'S HAPPENINGS:
My most recent article will appear on Beliefnet.com in an upcoming week. Click on "Judaism".
Tuesday, August 16 - Saturday, August 20 - WRITER'S RETREAT in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. If you want to spend time in guided self-reflection, or if you want to hone your writing for publication, this retreat is for you. Click on ‘classes' on my website for details.
I'll be teaching and speaking at numerous venues throughout the year. For more information, click on 'events' at www.maryblyehowe.com.
GET REAL
This year, I celebrated my first Pesach (Passover) as a Jew. Initially, I couldn't figure out how others found this holiday exciting. It involved cleaning and food deprivation. CLEANING AND FOOD DEPRIVATION. Whoever knows me would wonder how I'd EVER make it through this holiday. I thought I'd surely mistaken my heart's call to become a Jew.
Although liberal Jews choose their level of observance, it felt meaningful to me to go the more difficult route, abstaining not only of the five grains that many Jews traditionally give up for the week, but also of rice, corn, millet and legumes. Since I eat neither meat nor fish, I couldn't figure out what I had left to eat, and I was certain I was going to starve. I called two rabbis and asked them if they could postdate my conversion document until after Pesach. I called or emailed all my friends to find people to feel sorry for me (no one did; in fact, one of them told me that she regularly did juice fasts for 7-10 days). The day before Pesach began, I ate so much that I made myself sick at my stomach. Finally, though, I had my menu prepared and began to relax somewhat.
The afternoon before Pesach began, I spent cleaning my cabinets, refrigerator and freezer. My first thought was, "Oh my god, I only need one small cabinet because THERE'S NOTHING I CAN EAT!" But the more I got into cleaning, the more I became aware of the spiritual aspects of what I was doing. In my mind's eye, I saw those who don't even have a cabinet of food. As I threw out food items that had gone stale, I realized how much food I waste, and vowed to be more careful. By depriving myself for a week of so many things I like to eat, I anticipated becoming more conscious of how much I have, as well as the sheer pleasure of taste - both of which I take for granted. By the end of the week, I knew I'd be eating more consciously, and with a grateful heart.
The first-night seder at my friend Roz's soared me into the spirit of the holiday. About 15 of us engaged in the rituals that commemorated the time when the Israelites gathered the courage to escape slavery. Roz asked us to reflect on what we see as plagues in the world today, what chametz (unleavened food) that we hope to remove from our hearts and lives through prayer and mindfulness, what one thing we have to say "dayeinu" (it is enough) for, and concluded by asking to think not only of our own personal wilderness, but of the vision we might imagine of the way out of this wilderness, and into the promised land. Non-stop laughter and chatter filled the room as well, reminding us of the love we have for one another, how much fun we have together and, despite my fears, how much great food we had to eat.
The week ended with a final seder at another friend's, more laughter and remembrance rituals. The most touching part of the evening came when the hostess, Bobbie, told us about the dress she was wearing. About ten years ago, before the Second Intifada, she had been traveling in Israel, and was invited to the home of a Palestinian family. As Bobbie admired several items handcrafted by the woman who had invited her home, the woman pulled out a dress she had made and gave it to Bobbie as a gift.
Back home, Bobbie noticed that the dress's embroidery was slightly unfinished, so she attached a spiritual meaning to it. Each year, she told us, she has worn the dress to her seder, allowing the unfinished embroidery to remind her of the brokenness in the Middle East. One day, when there is peace, and Bobbie believes there will be, she will complete the embroidery, and wear it to the next seder as a reminder of the fulfillment of what so many of us hope for.
I concluded the week finally understanding why my friends love this holiday. Although Pesach commemorates the slavery and freedom of the Israelites from the Egyptians, friends guided me to reflect on the slavery that continues today, and the slavery that existed such a short time ago in my own country. When I felt hungry and nothing in my little kosher cabinet looked good, I remembered those who are hungry, and committed to helping in more tangible ways. I meditated on the ways I'm enslaved to habits, self-centeredness, delusions, false hopes and discontent, and opened my heart in deeper ways to the Divine. I also committed to saying "dayeinu" more often, remembering that what I have is truly enough.
THIS NEWSLETTER is sent every other Friday around noon, allowing you the leisure of the weekend to look it over. Please remember: readers of this newsletter consist of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Sufis, Buddhists, and others, and I'll try to represent the
mystical/spiritual aspects of all of these.
IF THIS NEWSLETTER uplifted your heart and drew you
closer to the Divine, please forward it to others who
might enjoy it. Thank you!
Blessings,
Mary
ALL SUBSCRIBERS to my newsletter will receive a 10%
discount on either of my books at any event, excluding
bookstore signings. Other discounts - for recommended
CDs, conferences, classes and events - will also
regularly be offered. To receive a discount on any
offer in this newsletter, simply print the newsletter,
showing your email address and the offer(s), and bring
it to the event or send it in with your order.
