I'm entering the third week of the Counting of the Omer and continuing to advance through the forty-nine gates that take us from the freedom of Pesach to the acceptance of the covenant of Shavuot.
The third week takes me through the gates of tiferet, which is associated with the quality of balance, equanimity, and wholeness. Tiferet is the sefirah that rests right at the center. It is the emanation in which the other seven lower sefirot find resolution. (You can find a chart of the sefirot on the Resources page.) During this coming week, I will try to look within myself to think about how all of my diverse parts work together to create a whole person—a person, I hope, at peace with all the conflicting desires and interests that are within me.
Tuesday evening begins the 15th day of the Omer, the day of chesed within tiferet—love within balance. On Wednesday I will meditate on tough questions: Does the love I share with others help me to achieve an inner harmony and balance? Do I allow my love to bring me peace, or is my love imbalanced by too much giving or too much taking?
Thursday takes me through the next gate: g'vurah within tiferet, or discipline within balance. On this day, I consider how my life can shine with splendor when I have the self-discipline to make wise choices. I ask, do I use my inner strength to bring myself into a place of peace, or am I causing myself needless suffering by pushing myself out of balance?
Friday is the quality of tiferet within tiferet—balance within balance. Do I even know what balance feels like? How can I develop the memory of peace within my body and equanimity within my soul that I can recall and return to when I need it?
Shabbat will take me through the gate of netzach within tiferet, which is endurance within balance. This is a hard one. Anyone who has ever taken a yoga class knows that it's not hard to stand on one foot for a few seconds. Mastering a balance pose that can be held indefinitely, however, requires lots of patience, persistance and will. True equanimity must, paradoxically, include striving and hard work, or it will never be achieved. How does my drive and ambition bring greater harmony into my life?
Sunday is also a big challenge for me as I confront the gate of hod within tiferet, humility within balance. My desire for a harmonious life can become a kind of Golden Calf—idolizing my own (dubious) spiritual achievements. This day is the antidote for all of that nonsense. I ask: Is my desire for harmony selfish, or does it help me let go of ego and selfishness? Am I modest in my pursuit of a balanced life?
Monday takes me to yesod within tiferet, bonding within balance. Seeking balance in life should not be isolating. How do my relationships enhance the peace and balance in my life?
Next tuesday will be the day of malchut within tiferet, nobility within balance. Seeking balance should not be passive. How do I take leadership to bring harmony and balance into the lives of others? How do I become a champion of joyful, harmonious living?
The third week takes me through the gates of tiferet, which is associated with the quality of balance, equanimity, and wholeness. Tiferet is the sefirah that rests right at the center. It is the emanation in which the other seven lower sefirot find resolution. (You can find a chart of the sefirot on the Resources page.) During this coming week, I will try to look within myself to think about how all of my diverse parts work together to create a whole person—a person, I hope, at peace with all the conflicting desires and interests that are within me.
Tuesday evening begins the 15th day of the Omer, the day of chesed within tiferet—love within balance. On Wednesday I will meditate on tough questions: Does the love I share with others help me to achieve an inner harmony and balance? Do I allow my love to bring me peace, or is my love imbalanced by too much giving or too much taking?
Thursday takes me through the next gate: g'vurah within tiferet, or discipline within balance. On this day, I consider how my life can shine with splendor when I have the self-discipline to make wise choices. I ask, do I use my inner strength to bring myself into a place of peace, or am I causing myself needless suffering by pushing myself out of balance?
Friday is the quality of tiferet within tiferet—balance within balance. Do I even know what balance feels like? How can I develop the memory of peace within my body and equanimity within my soul that I can recall and return to when I need it?
Shabbat will take me through the gate of netzach within tiferet, which is endurance within balance. This is a hard one. Anyone who has ever taken a yoga class knows that it's not hard to stand on one foot for a few seconds. Mastering a balance pose that can be held indefinitely, however, requires lots of patience, persistance and will. True equanimity must, paradoxically, include striving and hard work, or it will never be achieved. How does my drive and ambition bring greater harmony into my life?
Sunday is also a big challenge for me as I confront the gate of hod within tiferet, humility within balance. My desire for a harmonious life can become a kind of Golden Calf—idolizing my own (dubious) spiritual achievements. This day is the antidote for all of that nonsense. I ask: Is my desire for harmony selfish, or does it help me let go of ego and selfishness? Am I modest in my pursuit of a balanced life?
Monday takes me to yesod within tiferet, bonding within balance. Seeking balance in life should not be isolating. How do my relationships enhance the peace and balance in my life?
Next tuesday will be the day of malchut within tiferet, nobility within balance. Seeking balance should not be passive. How do I take leadership to bring harmony and balance into the lives of others? How do I become a champion of joyful, harmonious living?
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