I have been looking for and tracking some Jewish spirituality sites.
We who are Christian may not immediately resonate with the thoughts and practices of our Jewish brothers and sisters. But give yourself a few minutes to listen and I am sure that you will find a deep empathy with our common experience of God's loving presence in the world.
This morning I discovered this piece by a Jewish writer on the spirituality of Yom Kippur. It begins thus...
JUDAIC WISDOM: Nurturing Jewish Spirituality:
Beth Keil of Green Acres is glad there is a time of the year when Judaism asks people if they are living with integrity.
During Yom Kippur, she says, it takes courage to look within and ask: Am I kind? Can people count on me? Am I who I want to be in the world?
In seeking spiritual connection beyond a single day, she's found a practice -- Seventh Path Self-Hypnosis -- that connects her to a sense of unity and love.
"It's like drawing water from an inner well or being able to have the feeling of being embraced by God," Keil says.
Further on in the article
"People are looking for ways to experience the still, quiet voice of God" Cowan says.
This for me is what the contemplative journey is about... to experience the still quite voice of God.
As I write this I recall that I do have profound sympathy with the Jewish faith. I seriously considered converting to Judaism out of my pagan youth. i saw there a profound respect for the human condition and an honest search for a real and living God.
The apostle Paul's warning always rings in my ears. We gentiles of "The Way" are a wild branch grafted into the already existing olive tree (Romans 11:17-25) For my part, I want to continue to respect the tree that nurtures me.
As the woman who was quoted in your posting I was touched that what I shared resonated with you.
Peace be with you on your Journey.
Beth J. Keil
Posted by: Beth | July 19, 2008 at 07:17 AM