Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 6/Yesod (FOUNDATION)

Part of a bookcase in the home where the shiva minyan was.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 6/Yesod (FOUNDATION)

"Next time when you sit close to a dying person, you might like to practice this same way. You are there, present one hundred percent, with stability, solidity, and peace. This is very important. You are the support of that dying person, and he or she needs very much your stability, your peace. To accompany a dying person, you need to be your best-don't wait until that moment to practice. You practice in your daily life to cultivate your peace, your solidity."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Another shiva minyan but for a different friend whose father died. Once more  I received a personal invitation to be part of the minyan and asked to lead a niggun to honor the fallen father. As I davened (prayed) I ran some niggunim through my head searching for something that would add to the moment. Then I noticed a jar on the shelf with the label "Daddy and me". The man we were mourning was 96yrs old when he died and his daughter said he did not want to leave this world. Sigh. Death and life are so closely bound together.

After nightfall on Thursday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-seven days which is three weeks and six days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 5/Hod (SPLENDOR)

Laying on the grass in the meadow enjoying the sun.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 5/Hod (SPLENDOR)

"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Yesterday I was taking the class out to enjoy a beautiful meadow when an accident happened and we had to change plans. Not to be detoured we decided to try again today. Everything went off without a hitch. We had a lovely walk, lay on the grass, played and rolled down a hill. The sun warmed the earth and the meadow was filled with the sounds of happy children. All we had to do was see what was there and take advantage. Don't look away lest you miss the splendor that awaits. 

After nightfall on Wednesday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-six days which is three weeks and five days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 4/Netzach (ENDURANCE)

Standing on the bridge watching the river pass.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 4/Netzach (ENDURANCE)

"When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffered deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Standing on the bridge watching the river flow by beneath me. This is the way it is supposed to work. The water is always beneath me while at the same time moving forward. In civil rights matter there should be only one way to go. So why does it feel like we have stopped moving or are going backwards? The rage and anger comes from suffering and feeling there is no hope. The constant will be the reaching out of our hands and of hearts.

After nightfall on Tuesday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-five days which is three weeks and four days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 3/Tiferet (COMPASSION)

My friend Rex waits to listen instead of waiting to talk.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 3/Tiferet (COMPASSION)

"When we listen to someone with the intention of helping that person suffer less, this is deep listening. When we listen with compassion, we don't get caught in judgment. A judgment may form but we don't hold on to it. Deep listening has the power to help us create a moment of joy, a moment of happiness, and to help us handle a painful emotion."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

So many painful events close and far. My compassion for each is attached to a desire to fix it if possible. I can help be part of a minyan that is close by but do little other than write a check for an earthquake in Nepal. This evening watching protests in Baltimore for  recent police injustice against African-Americans makes me feel I should do even more. Let me do deep listening with myself and not judge so quickly. There will always be more work to do but if I don't get caught up in what I can't do but what I can do that's a start.

After nightfall on Monday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-four days which is three weeks and three days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 2/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)

The sign on the door of the house of mourning.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 2/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)

"I promise myself that I will enjoy every minute of the day that is given me
 to live."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Early morning shiva prayer minyan in the house of a friend. Happy to be part of a supportive community. After praying my friend spoke from the heart, words about how helpful the Jewish mourning rituals have been. This is one way but what works will endure no matter whose group it is. There are times to be alone and there are times when we need each other. Hard to hear about listening to the last breathe. We support but it is impossible to stand in these shoes. I sit and listen, listen, listen. And then listen some more.

After nightfall on Sunday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-three days which is three weeks and two days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 1/Chesed (LOVE)

The sun is there behind the trees in Rock Creek park.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 1/Chesed (LOVE)

"Suffering is not enough. Life is both dreadful and wonderful...How can I smile when I am filled with so much sorrow? It is natural--you need to smile to your sorrow because you are more than your sorrow."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Listening to the pain of several different friends. There is the death of a mother and special needs of their children. I love them all and it feels so overpowering that I want to help them lighten their load. For the present hugs and my commitment of time will have to do while I think of what else I can offer. We will make it through this. For one the rituals of mourning will help while for the others uncharted paths lie ahead. l am glad to be here for them. 

After nightfall on Saturday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-two days which is three weeks and one day of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 7/Malchut (KINGDOM)

Three children in a small mountain school in Peru.

Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 7/Malchut (KINGDOM)

"We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

In some ways the world is a big place and in other ways a small one. Yesterday's photo reminded me of photos I took of children in a Peruvian mountain school in 2008. My children mostly come to our school in cars while these children walked miles to get there. My children eat a varied & nutritious snack and lunch while these children had a soup of chickpeas. My children wear sneakers, sandals, boots and Mary Janes while these children had no shoes at all. As this shabbat comes in I hope to recommit to every child.

After nightfall on Friday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-one days which is three weeks of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 6/Yesod (FOUNDATION)

Three yr old child comforts a baby doll.

Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 6/Yesod (FOUNDATION)

“With compassion you can die for other people, like the mother who can die for her child. You have the courage to say it because you are not afraid of losing anything, because you know that understanding and love is foundation of happiness. But if you have fear of losing your status, your position, you will not have the courage to do it” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

As part of my school's Yom Haatzmaut (Israeli's Independence day) celebration I created a kibbutz beit tinok (baby house). I laid dolls on a large cloth, covered each with a cloth napkin and used a sound machine to add calming sound to the room. The children who entered had to pick a baby doll to hold, feed, burp, bathe and put back to sleep. It was so beautiful watching them in their play, seeing how the sweetness and caring could be brought out. This kindness, this compassion is what I want to encourage. 

After nightfall on Thursday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty days which is two weeks and six days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 5/Hod (SPLENDOR)

Clouds and sky are the perfect colors.

Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 5/Hod (SPLENDOR)

“On a beautiful sunny day, you look up into the sky and see a nice, puffy cloud floating through. You admire its shape, the way the light falls upon its many folds and the shadow it casts on the green field. You fall in love with this cloud. You want it to stay with you and keep you happy. But then the shape and color change. More clouds join with it, the sky becomes dark, and it begins to rain. The cloud is no longer apparent to you. It has become rain. You begin to cry for the return of your beloved cloud. You would not cry if you knew that by looking deeply into the rain you would still see the cloud.” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

A friend's mother has died. It is cancer that has taken her life and there is nothing to be done now other than attending shiva. Meanwhile I have the children make projects for Yom Haatzmaut, Israel's Independence day, with blue and white paint a part of my brain contains the sadness for my friend and what he has lost. Life is splendid, wonderful and beautiful but oh so fragile and fleeting. When I leave my work I look up to the sky and see a perfect division of white clouds and blue sky. I think about transformation.

After nightfall on Wednesday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is nineteen days which is two weeks and five days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 4/Netzach (ENDURANCE)

Inviting the bell with my class of children in a meadow.

Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 4/Netzach (ENDURANCE)

“I always practice looking at things around me, at people around me, at myself; and I can already see my continuation in this flower, or that bush, or that young monk, or that young nun or that young lay person. I see that we belong to the same reality, we are doing our best as a Sangha, we bring the seeds of the Dharma a little bit everywhere, we make people around us happy: so I don't see the reason why I have to die, because I can see myself in you, in other people, in many generations.” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Today I took my class of children on a hike to a meadow. I carried my brown Plum Village shoulder bag and bell. The day was beautiful and after the walk, lunch, and playing I gathered the children together.  As I pulled the bell out one child said "you want us to get calm and focused" which made me smile. In the sound of the bell I remembered last July when I walked with Thich Nhat Hanh in a similar meadow and listened to him invite the bell. Who can know which heart will hold us after we are gone, whose memory we will be.

After nightfall on Tuesday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is eighteen days which is two weeks and four days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 3/Tiferet (COMPASSION)

Q Street bridge as seen from the Rock Creek running path.

Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 3/Tiferet (COMPASSION)

“Arrange things in your daily life so that you have time to water your positive seeds. Ask your loved ones to practice in the same way. Say, 'Darling, if you really care for me, please water the good seeds in me every day. I am capable of loving, understanding, and forgiving and I need your help to practice these in my daily life. I promise to recognize the positive seeds in you, as well, and to do my best to water them every day.' This is true love.” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

How do we ask for and give support to our friends? This concept of watering the good seeds and asking our group to help us do this seems a center of the universe. It is reaching out to each other, holding each other's hands and holding up each other's spirit. Nothing new if you think about it but just a twist of the old adage that if you haven't got something good to say then say nothing at all. Yes let every word out of our mouth be a blessing.

After nightfall on Monday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is seventeen days which is two weeks and three days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 2/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)

Rex wades into the water like we wade into life.

Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 2/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)

“One of the deepest teachings given by Buddha is that you should not be too sure of your perceptions. You have to practice looking deeply in order not to fooled by you perceptions. If you are a doctor, you have to be very careful. Even if you are sure, check again.” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

As I meditate on the possible news of deception this evening I am feeling Gevurah's "judgement". If the technician at my Apple store is correct good samaritan "Georges" from Romania who said he purchased my stolen iPhone and was returning it is actually a con man. I didn't know him before and I don't know him now yet one minute I have felt admiration and now disgust. Is either emotion right? As with most of life I will probably never know. Using discipline to transform my anger into joy and have compassion on all.

After nightfall on Sunday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is sixteen days which is two weeks and two days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 1/Chesed (LOVE)

Fish taco with lots of extra free veggies is the healthier choice.

Week 3-/Tiferet (COMPASSION)-Day 1/Chesed (LOVE)

“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

"Why didn't I do this ten years ago?!" my friend said to me as we sat having tea after services at our synagogue. We are both trying to eat healthy and by different methods have lost weight. Why don't we get out of our situations of suffering sooner? Is it that we need to love ourselves more? Maybe we are afraid of the journey or failing. Present moment, beautiful moment. Thankful that the vision needed to be put in focus has happened.

After nightfall on Saturday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is fifteen days which is two weeks and one day of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 2-/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)-Day 7/ Malchut (KINGDOM)

A beautiful Jewish star made in Peru.

Week 2-/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)-Day 7/ Malchut (KINGDOM)

“When we respect our blood ancestors and our spiritual ancestors, we feel rooted. If we find ways to cherish and develop our spiritual heritage, we will avoid the kind of alienation that is destroying society, and we will become whole again. Learning to touch deeply the jewels of our own tradition will allow us to understand and appreciate the values of other traditions, and this will benefit everyone.” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

I think at the root level it might be easier to love and appreciate each other. Our fundamental values are certainly quite similar. It is as we move towards the branches, the details, of how we see approaching the One that gets a bit sticky. Today when buying my kosher wine the salesclerk identified my Punjabi Indian clothing and I identified his Sikh holy bracelet. Inquiring about his lack of a turban he told me his father wears it but in the modern world it is best not to separate oneself quite so much. I pointed to my kippah and told him I understood a bit about his choice. Still I will reflect on it over Shabbat.

After nightfall on Friday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is fourteen days which is two weeks of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 2-/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)-Day 6/ Yesod (FOUNDATION)

The children and I talk about doing the right thing.

Week 2-/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)-Day 6/ Yesod (FOUNDATION)

“Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.                      I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

A crazy beginning for me. A Romanian called at 6am to say he purchased the iPhone stolen from me last July in Madrid and wanted to return it. He texted me to say it wasn't kindness but the right thing to do. This simple act pushed me to take my class out to the Garden of the Righteous and speak to them of doing the right thing. The story isn't over yet but a reminder of the soil our feet should stand on.

After nightfall on Thursday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is thirteen days which is one week and six days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 2-/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)-Day 5/ Hod (SPLENDOR)

Theo and Tessa observe and paint the Japanese cherry tree.

Week 2-/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)-Day 5/ Hod (SPLENDOR)

“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize; a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child--our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

The pink flowers of the Japanese cherry trees are so beautiful to look at as they bloom. The young children I teach are so wonderful to watch as they live life moment to moment. Putting the two of them together, seeing the cherry tree through the eyes of ten different pairs of small eyes  as they try to capture it all in paint can only be described as splendid. Not a one said they couldn't do it and everyone created something great. Yes I agree. All is is a miracle.

After nightfall on Wednesday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twelve days which is one week and five days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 2-/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)-Day 4/ Netzach (ENDURANCE)

Looking up at Duke Ellington bridge from the path.

Week 2-/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)-Day 4/ Netzach (ENDURANCE)

“Everything, even the trees and the clouds, has come together to bring about the presence of your body. Keeping your body healthy is the best way to express your gratitude to the whole cosmos, to all ancestors, and also not to betray future generations. You practice this precept for everyone. If you are healthy, everyone can benefit from it. When you are able to get out of the shell of your small self, you will see that you are interrelated to everyone and everything, that your every act is linked with the whole of humankind and the whole cosmos. To keep yourself healthy in body and mind is to be kind to all things.” 

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

I am looking up at a bridge I have crossed many times. I am looking up from a running trail. Here I am, jogging, very proud and amazed and stopping to take a photo in case it never happens again. I want to wave at someone up there but the best I can do is text a friend to meet me at the top. I want a witness and that makes me smile. On the one hand I am afraid of bones breaking, knees failing and coming to the end but this feeling I let come in and go out. I focus on how I will come back and jog the same trail after a day's rest. LOL.

After nightfall on Tuesday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is eleven days which is one week and four days of the Omer.