The Wisdom of a Tender Heart

We are living through days of profound heartbreak.

As I write these words, the violence in the Middle East burgeons and the number of innocent dead and injured soars. Multitudes of families grieve their loved ones, and many more live in fear of what is to come.

Here, beyond the zone of direct conflict, as we struggle to comprehend the immense ongoing destruction, and the danger of a far larger war, I sense that this is a time when we must use every strong prayer, spiritual tool, and practice that we have stored in our quiver over our lifetimes.

• What are your practices now?

• How are you calming your nervous system?

• Can you be a lantern in the world, adding more light than heat?

I have been musing on a teaching from the holy mystic, the Baal Shem Tov:

The suffering caused by divine harshness (Gevurah)

may be sweetened in two ways that are really one:

First, by not judging people in the world in an unfavorable way.

And second, by opening one’s heart to compassion

and looking for what is good in everyone.

(Teachings of the Baal Shem: Toledot Ya’akov Yosef 209b)

In dire times such as these, it’s natural to fall back into fear, blame, or isolation, to  harden our bodies and our positions. It’s hard to simply stop and grieve all the loss.

But we can take refuge in our tender hearts, mindful that our judgments are often born of pain and helplessness. We can return to presence, stabilizing ourselves, then extending to others with acts of kindness, being mindful of our words, and taking action from a place of calm knowing.  

You can find all upcoming opportunities for study and connection posted on my calendar.
I pray we will come together soon in more peaceful times.