Praying With The News
Orando con las noticias--por el Rabino Yael Levy
El 17 del mes hebreo Tammuz inicia un período de luto de tres semanas que conduce a Tisha b'Av, que es el día que marca la destrucción de los Templos en Jerusalén en el 586 a. C. y 70 d. C. La tradición enseña que el Templo fue destruido porque el odio se convirtió en el principio operativo de la comunidad. El desprecio, el menosprecio y el desdén que caracterizaban las interacciones diarias hicieron que la Divina Presencia huyera y dejara que el Templo fuera vulnerable a los ataques.
Estas tres semanas siguientes se nos pide que reflexionemos sobre el odio que permitimos que eche raíces en nuestros corazones. La sabiduría de la tradición reconoce que el odio a veces puede sentirse energizante y “tan correcto”, pero permitir que llene nuestros cuerpos y guíe nuestras acciones conduce a la destrucción.
Hace muchos años me enseñaron la práctica de orar con las noticias. La he compartido a lo largo de los años y siempre me encuentro volviendo a ella en este período.
En esta práctica, cada vez que leemos o escuchamos noticias que nos enfurecen, dirigimos nuestra atención a los perjudicados por lo que está sucediendo y oramos por su sanación y bienestar. Hacer, nos anima a reconocer los sentimientos de ira, dolor y desesperación, y al mismo tiempo dirige nuestra atención hacia la conexión y la compasión. Orar con las noticias puede ayudarnos a aprender a dar testimonio de la devastación y el caos, mientras mantenemos nuestro corazón suave, nuestra mente tranquila y nuestras acciones claras.
Estoy luchando muchísimo con esta práctica en estos días a raíz de la continua violencia y opresión en este país y en todo el mundo. El odio a veces puede sentirse como un puerto tan agradable. No solo se siente tan bien, sino que también puede actuar como un escudo, creando la ilusión de que no tengo que reconocer el dolor y la angustia que estoy experimentando.
Necesito prácticas para ayudar a calmar la rabia y el miedo, para aflojar la constricción del odio y para ayudarme a estar con una pena abrumadora. Necesito prácticas que me ayuden a volver a la compasión, el amor, la alegría y la posibilidad. Encuentro que orar con las noticias es a la vez doloroso y útil. Me mantiene conectado, permite la tristeza y me fundamenta en el cuidado y el amor.
Preguntas semilla para la reflexión: ¿Cómo te relacionas con la noción de que el odio se convierte en el principio operativo cuando lideramos con rabia y miedo? ¿Puedes compartir una historia personal de un momento en el que pudiste volver a la compasión, el amor, la alegría y la posibilidad? ¿Qué te ayuda a reconocer el dolor, la ira y el miedo sin que te controlen?
El rabino Yael Levy es autor, profesor de atención plena y director rabínico de "A Way In". Fue nombrado uno de los "rabinos más inspiradores de Estados Unidos".
Rabbi Yael Levy is author, mindfulness teacher and rabbinic director of A Way In. Jewish Forward named one of "America's Most Inspiring Rabbis".
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you relate to the notion of hatred becoming the operating principle when we lead with rage and fear? Can you share a personal story of a time you were able to return to compassion, love, joy and possibility? What helps you acknowledge grief, anger and fear without being controlled by them?
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18 Past Reflections
On Jul 18, 2023 Susan Starkey wrote :
Thank you for this simple (but far from easy) practice! It fits very well with my daily practice, learned and adapted from Joanna Macy's Spiral of the Work That Reconnects. It's a 4 part practice, starting with Gratitude (for something, anything, that I am aware of in the present moment), then I open my heart to Honor My Pain For the World (trusting that it's my Love that needs to stretch open to be with all I love, even though it means encountering pain, I also trust I'm not alone in this, and that as I breathe into it, it breathes through me and dissipates eventually). Next, I open to See With New and Ancient Eyes- whether tapping into a longer time horizon, seeing the situation from the point of view of others (as you suggested), listening to future generations speak to me (or listening to my ancestors and what guidance they'd give), etc. Once I've gained some new perspective, I Go Forth, knowing that right now, there is Only One Thing Necessary. I don't need to have a grand plan, ... [View Full Comment]
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On Jul 18, 2023 Ginny Hout wrote :
My daughter and I are estranged. She is very angry at me. The gun violence in this country is f great concern. Prayer is My go to. Right and timely resolution with my daughter. More gun laws. Moments of holy pause for anyone that wants to kill. Walk in my faith.
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On Jul 18, 2023 lucy wrote :
I look at the CONVERSATION I am about the "perpetrators" of violence and oppression and locate it it where I am. I don't mean condone what doesn't work. I am if in the face of difficulty I am so undisciplined as to resort to violence and rage, I am perpetuating this in the world. Righteousness only results in others being wrong. It seems a great practice as long as I include all the ALLEGED [by me] "wrong doers" and avoid the moral high ground.
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On Jul 18, 2023 Kristin Pedemonti wrote :
Thank you for sharing this practice of praying with the news. As a Narrative Therapy Practitioner, i relate to the acknowledgement of context/ both/and in emotions. I've practiced a similar prayer in slightly different context of praying for grace for myself and for people and situations which bring up anger. I love this extension to praying with the news to honor and acknowledge the grief so often (nearly always) under the anger. Doing this now with climate change and the human impacts... with gratitude, Kristin
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On Jul 18, 2023 Claudia H wrote :
Over the last few years I’ve been using the Serenity prayer and attending Alanon meetings. It has helped me become aware that I cannot control or change what I see is happening in the world. Ive chosen not watch any news from legacy/mainstream channels because it’s mostly propaganda. I exercise lots of critical thinking and ask questions before I make judgements on what I think is happening. Practice Discernment. Know the truth and respect the illusion. Come back to your higher power. Breath. Maintain a practice leads you back to your center and know all is well.
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On Jul 18, 2023 Mark wrote :
Thanks for this, its just what i needed to read this morning. I frequently have images of suffering flash through my mind and i experience these as my own suffering. What can be done but to pray for all those who suffer, which is all of us? I choose to fill my heart with love. I acknowledge the suffering in the world but I dont allow myself to sink into despair. I know there's as much love and goodness in the world as there is cruelty--in fact, there's much more goodness, or else we'd have destroyed ourselves long ago. Love to all
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On Jul 18, 2023 Debra Myers wrote :
Wonderful reading. This along with the Daily Good reading from the Gentle Art of Blessing is a powerful antidote to hatred, fear and anger. That triad is healed by Love, Truth, and forgiveness. It requires deep soul-searching to find the bedrock of our being that allows such healing, but it is well worth the effort.
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On Jul 18, 2023 Shruti wrote :
-If you learn to include others as a part of yourself, your life will become an expression of joyfulness, not a pursuit of happiness.
-Sadhguru
-Sadhguru
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On Jul 17, 2023 Vadivu wrote :
Bearing witness to our own pain, then transforming it with prayer is powerful and helps me too. Those who harm others may also be wounded and I pray for their healing too. And from the compassion rising, we can serve in our own spheres of influence. Newspaper articles which shattered my heart have led me to my callings in life. Another practice that helps me return to love and possibility is reading KarunaNews (karunanews.org), a ServiceSpace project I volunteer with which puts out news stories on inspiration.
2 replies: Becky, Vadivu | Post Your Reply
On Jul 16, 2023 Saroj pathak wrote :
Rage and fear are two primary emotions that bubble up when we feel wronged How could they? Followed by Why? And then the fear of being alone. There is also a feeling of not trusting anyone anymore which leads to more fear and rage. It is a vicious circle and the only way out is mediating over the feelings, acknowledging them and letting go.
It is not easy to meditate and pray for the people who wronged us but there is no other choice. The only way to move forward and to let go is to light a candle in the dark and say a quiet prayer.
It is not easy to meditate and pray for the people who wronged us but there is no other choice. The only way to move forward and to let go is to light a candle in the dark and say a quiet prayer.
1 reply: Shruti | Post Your Reply
On Jul 15, 2023 David Doane wrote :
I fully agree that hatred often becomes the operating principle when we lead with rage and fear. I believe rage, fear, and hatred flow from living in separation. There is hatred on both sides in separation -- be it blacks and whites, Jews and Palestinians, reds and blues, haves and have nots. All is one, we are one, and from oneness flows compassion and cooperation. Unfortunately, we don't or won't see our oneness. Many experiences have helped me more often live from compassion. Major ones are marriage, young children, close relationships, psychotherapy, the Vedas, aging and retiring. What helps me is realizing that feelings are different than action, that I control my actions, and that I can feel grief, anger, and fear without putting them into action or being controlled by them.
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On Jul 14, 2023 Paul Fillinger wrote :
'Beautiful reminder. Better than turn the other cheek.
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On Jul 14, 2023 Jagdish P Dave wrote :
Offering forgiveness, compassion, connection and love to the people who hate us is the antidote to hatred, scorn and disdain. Acknowlodging the waves of anger and revenge and letting them go helps me maintain my equilibrium. It takes time to cultivate such mindet. Patience and preseverance help me to navigate my life course.
Sadly, some times people have thrown arrows of hatred towards me. They are judgmental and cynical. I have learnt no take their behaviors personally. Becoming awre of what's going on inside me , process it and let it go.
Namaste.
Jagdish P Dave
Sadly, some times people have thrown arrows of hatred towards me. They are judgmental and cynical. I have learnt no take their behaviors personally. Becoming awre of what's going on inside me , process it and let it go.
Namaste.
Jagdish P Dave
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On Jul 14, 2023 Mamta wrote :
Thanks for sharing this practice. Helps to be in the world.