Embracing Uncertainty: A Spiritual Journey Through 60 Days
Finding Clarity Amidst Chaos
In a world filled with uncertainty, where threats loom over our heads both in Israel and around the globe, the need for spiritual resilience becomes more crucial than ever. This is why the 60 Days journey—a spiritual guide through the high holidays—could not have come at a more appropriate time. Let us embark on this journey together, exploring how to find clarity in times of uncertainty, strength in moments of fear, and reconciliation and love even when things seem broken or destroyed.
The Lifelong Journey of Spiritual Growth
Life is not merely a series of events; it is a profound journey. I like to refer to our gatherings not as classes but as journeys, because that is what life truly is—a spiritual journey. We are not material beings on a spiritual journey; we are spiritual beings navigating a material existence. This philosophy has guided our weekly gatherings since 1982, helping us explore the depths of our souls and the spiritual dimensions of our lives.
Why Do We Need Spirituality?
Life teaches us everything we know on the fly. While good role models and education provide some guidance, real-life experiences, particularly those involving pain and challenges, teach us the most. Some of us cope well, while others struggle, often influenced by how our parents and the adults around us dealt with their challenges.
In Hebrew, there’s a saying: "אין חכם כבעל ניסיון" ("There is no one as wise as the experienced person"). Experience is irreplaceable; it teaches us things that books never can. For example, until you fall in love for the first time, you can read about it endlessly, but you truly understand it only through experience.
Life’s Unexpected Lessons
Experience is often gained when we least want it, like the saying goes, "Experience is what happens to you when you don’t want it to happen to you." It is during these unplanned, spontaneous moments that we learn the most about ourselves. When faced with challenges, our reactions reveal our true nature. The Hebrew sages teach that a person’s true character is revealed through their relationship with money, their behavior when angry, and their conduct when drinking. These situations strip away the masks we wear, exposing our true selves.
The Importance of Spiritual Awareness
Understanding ourselves is not simple. We often come into this world seemingly unprepared, but we are equipped with more resources and tools than we realize. However, our conscious awareness of these tools is limited. The true you emerges when you face unexpected challenges, when you improvise without a script.
The essence of Judaism and Torah is to help us realize that we are not victims of circumstances. We have the ability to realign ourselves by tapping into our deeper resources—the soul. The soul is not subject to the regular wear and tear of life; it is a source of infinite potential.
Understanding the Soul
The soul is often misunderstood, even though it is the core of who we are. It is like the music within the notes of a song or the message within the letters of a book. The body is the physical manifestation, but the soul is the essence that gives life meaning.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
As we go through life, we learn more about ourselves. Interestingly, a non-scientific survey I conducted revealed that the younger people are, the more they believe they know about themselves. As people age, their self-awareness decreases, not because they know less, but because they realize the vastness of what they don’t know.
This journey of self-discovery is endless. The more we learn, the more we realize how much more there is to understand. This is true not just in science but also in our spiritual lives. We are microcosms of the universe, and understanding ourselves helps us understand the larger cosmos.
The Role of Spiritual Practices
Spiritual practices help us focus on our inner selves. For example, the simple morning prayer "Modeh Ani" acknowledges the mystery of life and the gift of a new day. This prayer is a beautiful way to pause and reflect on the soul that has been returned to us, refreshed and ready for a new day.
Embracing the Process
Real growth requires time and patience. Just as a seed needs time to grow into a tree, our spiritual growth requires a process. We live in a fast-paced world where instant gratification is the norm, but true love, relationships, and spiritual growth cannot be rushed. They need time to emerge and develop.
Conclusion
In these 60 days, let us commit to exploring our spiritual selves, understanding our deeper needs, and finding clarity, strength, and love. This journey is not just about surviving but thriving, not just about existing but truly living.
Let us embrace this journey together, finding meaning and purpose in every moment. For more insights and guidance, I invite you to watch this YouTube video.
May we all find the strength and clarity we seek in these uncertain times.
