SHABBAT SHALOM -- KI TAVO -- UP WITH THE SUN We are standing today in the din of competing voices. Blessings, curses, invitations, and condemnations constantly prick at our ears, clamoring for our attention as we walk upon our way. We are truly in a narrow valley, surrounded by the ringing of these judgments. Our tradition maintains that the entire universe -- all of it -- was created with the quality of kindness at its center. Much of the time, we are in pain, or at least, not comfortable -- we hold resentments that we have long buried and that sometimes surface in our daily encounters. We rarely communicate with people what we honestly think -- how certain actions are like triggers in our life -- bringing a rush of surprise in our reactions. All that keeps us alive is imbued with kindness -- and any negativity that we admit must be concerned in the light of that which miraculously sustains us, everyday. This kindness undergirds our humanity and our purpose. We must endeavor, even in our darkest moments to locate and apply kindness -- and to have this precious attribute illumine our darkness, and the darkness around us. Even amid our fears and our necessary actions that bring us security, our tradition challenges us to lead always with kindness, and not to withhold kindness to any entity. We shall shine like the sun, offering our light unconditionally to the entire world. We shall be bright, offering our own kind response to the competing and complex narratives that crowd us on every corner. Please enjoy Sun Song (1956) from the experimental and visionary musician, Sun Ra -- https://youtube/watch?v=zwEagL1zenI Shabbat Shalom.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 19:12:15 +0000