Praying With The News

Rabbi Yael Levy
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The 17th of the Hebrew month Tammuz initiates a three-week period of mourning that leads to Tisha b’Av, which is the day that marks the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE.

Tradition teaches that the Temple was destroyed because hatred became the operating principle in the community. The scorn, contempt and disdain that characterized daily interactions caused the Divine Presence to flee and leave the Temple vulnerable to attack.

These next three weeks ask us to reflect on the hatred that we allow to take root in our hearts. The wisdom of the tradition acknowledges that hatred can sometimes feel energizing and “so right,” but allowing it to fill our bodies and guide our actions leads to destruction.

Many years ago I was taught the practice of praying with the news. I have shared it over the years and always find myself returning to it during this season.

In this practice, each time we read or listen to a news report that enrages us, we turn our attention to those harmed by what is happening and pray for their healing and well-being. Doing so encourages us to acknowledge feelings of anger, grief and despair, and at the same time it turns our attention toward connection and compassion. Praying with the news can help us learn to bear witness to devastation and mayhem, while keeping our hearts soft, our minds calm, and our actions clear.

I am struggling mightily with this practice these days in the wake of continued violence and oppression in this country and throughout the world. Hatred can sometimes feel like such a welcome harbor. Not only does it feel so right, it can also act as a shield, creating the illusion that I don’t have to acknowledge the grief and heartbreak I am experiencing.

I need practices to help quiet the rage and fear, to loosen the constriction of hatred and to help me be with overwhelming grief. I need practices to help me return to compassion, love, joy and possibility. I find praying with the news both painful and helpful. It keeps me connected, allows sorrow, and grounds me in care and love.

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 Suzanne wrote :

I also pray the news - I use the Metta Prayer

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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

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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.

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

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On Jul 14, 2023 Mamta wrote :

Thanks for sharing this practice. Helps to be in the world.