For me, talking about spirituality is central to my life. I have always been seeking something deeper, something higher, something... more. I spent six week long periods in exploring Jewish spirituality at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. It was one of the most powerful experiences of my adult life (aside from marriage, having kids, etc.). I remember standing on top of Bryce Canyon and feeling connected in with something greater. I wrote about it - about HaMakom - The Place - That God is Everyplace - in an sermon on Yom Kippur 2009. Now I seek others who want to talk more about spirituality. I hope you do too!
by Rabbi Paul Kipnes
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Great idea Rabbi. I'm glad to join the conversation. I felt the same experience at the top of Yosemite!
By Paul Kipnes
I love shabbat services - I find them a great way to take an hour or two and break from email, cell phone, the problems of the world, but I have to admit that I feel most spiritual outside. Something about sunshine, fresh air & the beauty of nature makes me feel more spiritual than just about anything else (temporarily at least). I love the hikes that Or Ami congregants take on Fridays - it's a nice way to start shabbat (and much more spiritual to me than cooking a chicken!)
I have had no formal Jewish education until we joined the temple a few months ago. Honestly, I feel as if I am being pulled toward this experience by an intuition that I am "supposed to" repair the fact that religion was lost in our part of the family. The "supposed to" is not a guilt-driven idea, but an internal sense that this is the direction I am meant to next explore. This is why I am willing to enter into this discussion, tho I question whether I will have much of anything to add.
When I am exposed to Jewish religious experiences, I can feel something in my core that reverberates and feels familiar, but I don't know why because there is no basis for that, at least in this life. It is different from the general spirituality that I have internalized on my own over the years. I think that I walk through life feeling like God and spirits are present and with me and with everyone. I agree, Rabbi Kipnes, that nature drives the point home. There is a view on my Sunday morning hike of rolling hills and oak trees, and when I pass that spot, I stop and breathe in the beauty, the smells, the energy. The air is better right there.
The reverberation in the core that Stacy talks about is a great way of talking about the spiritual experience. Something that touches us deeply, in ways that are beyond words. That makes us feel connected to something more, something bigger, deeper.
By Rabbi Paul Kipnes
Bryce Cyn., being in the outdoors, I AGREE, is an amazing place to feel the connection with ones spirituality (and Yosemite too). For certain, I have felt my spirituality outdoors. Having a baby is an amazing time to feel spirituality! While I love the outdoors and all that represents in mother nature/G*d; for me, my *Jewish*spirituality, has developed more as I live life day after day and listen to a book repeatedly, called:"The Art of Happiness" by the Dali Lama. (I also feel spirituality in listening to song and surf.)
And mostly my spirituality has come together for me when saying the amazing prayer, The Shama, while my wife, sister and close friend were dying.
GO figure?!?
Death is part of life. The Shama is like a mini Kaddish. Finding spirituality in times of struggle, like death and in actions, such as: 'Random Acts of Kindness,' seem to be another place where I find Spirituality too. Shalom
PS When I meditate and focus on breath, stretch and balance (BSB), I find my Spirituality as one too.
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