Sep 7, 2010 | Podcasts
This meditation is from Preparing the Heart: Meditations for Jewish Spiritual Practice. Rabbi Sheila Weinberg describes walking practice as a way of paying attention to the sensations in the body, gathering our attention and focus in the body.
Walking practice is based in bringing awareness to each step as it manifests in sensation through the entire body. Walking is its own practice when it is, itself, an opportunity to gather our attention into this present moment, in the felt experience of the body so that we have a place to rest, a platform in which to see distraction and settle down. As with other meditative practices, it provides us with a focus to aim the attention when the mind wanders, it allows us to focus back on the direct sensations of walking as they are experienced in the body, reconnecting to intention, and sustaining our attention. (11:46)
Apr 21, 2010 | Podcasts
Join Rabbi Marc Margolius for a podcast on the period of S’firat HaOmer – counting the Omer – a period marking our spiritual journey from Egypt to Sinai – moving from breaking the bonds of slavery on Pessach to developing our capacity to open ourselves to the divine on Shavuot. (more…)
Mar 22, 2010 | Podcasts
Listen to Rabbi Sheila Weinberg as she gives an overview introduction to mindfulness practice on an IJS retreat this January; looking at understanding the nature of the mind and developing a quality of alert, stable attention again and again.You can also listen to Sheila teaching at a Jewish Mindfulness retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center (6/25/09) [http://dharmaseed.org/retreats/836].
Jan 12, 2010 | Podcasts
Join Rabbi Sheila Weinberg for a meditation on, and exploration of, what it means to experience life as b’tzelem Elohim – created in the divine image. We return to the beginning, to where it all starts, Chapter 1 of Genesis; recognizing that there can be no liberation from bondage without the affirmation of the inherent dignity of the human being. This understanding is articulated in this verse – And God created Adam b’tzalmo – in God’s image, male and female, the one being was created in the divine image. This might be the most important text in Torah. This might be the root core out of which all else emerges. What does it mean? What does it mean to you?
Oct 1, 2009 | Podcasts
Join Rabbi Sheila Weinberg in contemplating Sh’ma Koleynu – Hear our voices. This is the reverse of Sh’ma Yisrael, when our plea to hear is directed to ourselves; here, Sh’ma is directed towards the source of mercy and compassion – Adonai Eloheinu. It is a communal project to ask God to hear our voices – the inchoate layers of feeling, need, hope – that join together and become our communal offering. We are asking for divine presence, love, and support. [5:52]
Sep 14, 2009 | Podcasts
Join Rabbi Sheila Weinberg in this series of short podcasts in preparation for the High Holy Days.
“Achat Sha’alti me’eit Adonai, otah avakeish; shivti b’veit Adonai kol y’mei chayai, lachazot b’noam Adonai ulvakeir b’heichalo. One thing I ask of Adonai, for this do I yearn: to dwell in the house of Adonai all the days of my life, to see the goodness of Adonai and to visit God’s sanctuary.” (more…)
