Let’s just sit.
No commentary.
No effort.
Just being.
And let the Truth
reveal itself
like a smile
that was always there.
🕊🪷✨
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Tag: Jewish spirituality
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Like a Smile That Was Always There
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Stillness as a Shared Thread: Rediscovering the Contemplative Heart Across Faiths
It was two thirty in the morning. I sat in silence, trying to rest into stillness. The world around me slept, yet within me, a gentle inquiry stirred: Why is it that only certain traditions teach us to dwell in this quiet space?
In my journey through interfaith dialogue, I’ve noticed something curious. In Buddhist practice—and in the Advaita Vedanta stream of Hinduism—stillness isn’t peripheral. It’s central. These traditions invite us, again and again, to be. To rest, not just physically, but inwardly. To let go of striving, stories, even self, and to dwell in the deep, felt presence of this very moment.
Yet in Judeo-Christian traditions, though rich in prayer, justice, and community, the practice of stillness often seems harder to find. It’s not that it doesn’t exist—it does. The Psalms offer, “Be still and know that I am God.” Christian mystics, Jewish Kabbalists, and solitary monks across centuries have spoken of the silence where God is most intimately known. But somehow, for many practitioners today, the embodied experience of silence and inward stillness is rarely cultivated or taught.
Why is that?
Perhaps it’s because Western religious traditions have long emphasized doing—serving, obeying, proclaiming, believing. These are beautiful, powerful acts. Yet they can eclipse the quieter invitation: to rest in the Divine without needing to understand, explain, or prove.
Stillness, after all, is not emptiness. It is the fertile ground from which love, compassion, and insight can grow. It is the place where breath returns to breath, and the soul remembers itself—not as an idea, but as a living presence.
As someone walking the interfaith path, I find hope here. Stillness can be a meeting ground—not a dogma, but a practice. A place where traditions speak not about the sacred, but from it.
Whether you call it God, the Divine, Buddha-nature, or simply the Mystery—stillness is where it lives in us.
Maybe now is the time to rekindle that thread. To remind ourselves, and one another, that beyond all teachings and texts, there is a silence waiting to be heard.
🙏🕊🙏
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Into the Mystic: Devekut and the Journey of Clinging to the Divine
Continuing Our Journey
In our last post, inspired by the teachings of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi and The Philosophy of Chabad by Nisan Mendel, we began a journey into the depths of Jewish spirituality and mysticism. This miniseries is inspired by the many timeless conversations I had with Rabbi Shmuel Reich, and it will open a window into practices that have been cherished by spiritual seekers for generations, offering insights into the heart of Jewish mystical thought. Through each post, we’ll explore one theme that guides us toward greater awareness and peace.
Devekut: Clinging to the Divine
Our journey begins with devekut, a concept that rests at the heart of Jewish mysticism. The Hebrew word devekut means “clinging” or “attachment,” yet its spiritual depth reaches far beyond any single word. To practice devekut is to hold the presence of God close in each moment, to see the divine as an unbroken current running through all things.
Rabbi Shmuel described devekut as a path where every thought, word, and deed becomes an offering. He shared that “devekut must exist in all daily acts and in social contacts, as well as in prayer.” These words remind us that clinging to the divine is not only for moments of prayer or meditation; rather, it is an unceasing relationship, woven into the fabric of daily life.
The Baal Shem Tov, a luminary in Jewish mysticism, emphasized devekut in all things—even distractions. He would advise, “Follow your thoughts to their roots in the divine,” inviting seekers to see even their doubts as paths back to God. In this way, devekut becomes a way of life, a way to move beyond the “self” and dwell in the silent, abiding presence of the divine.
A Practice in Devekut
If you’d like to explore devekut in your own life, start small. Choose a simple daily activity—perhaps preparing a meal, walking, or tending to a small task. As you engage in this act, hold in your mind the intention of connecting to the divine. Let each movement, each breath, be an offering of presence. See if you can sense the life, the spark, in what you are doing. Even if your mind wanders, return to the task and gently remind yourself of the sacredness within it.
Over time, this practice can become a way of living devekut, where even the mundane becomes a bridge to the infinite.
Explore Further
🙏🕊️🙏
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Discovering Mystical Contemplation: The Alter Rebbe’s Practice of Hitbonenut and Bittul
Explore the transformative path of Hitbonenut and Bittul in Jewish mysticism, as practiced by the Alter Rebbe, to reach direct experience and divine unity.
Translation of the Hebrew Text in the Above Image
“… the esteemed Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the great sage and author of the book Tanya, in his later years would immerse himself daily in deep contemplation and focus on achieving Hitbonenut and Bittul, self-nullification, before beginning his prayers. He would sit in a secluded area and enter a state of spiritual readiness, preparing himself to reach closeness to the divine through his meditative practices. Those who observed him would attest to the honor and respect that this revered practice commanded, reflecting his commitment to true divine connection.”
Discovering the Boundless: The Alter Rebbe’s Practice of Hitbonenut and Bittul
In the rich tradition of Jewish mysticism, Hitbonenut and Bittul are contemplative practices often approached as meditative paths focused on divine ideas. These practices are frequently interpreted as ways of concentrating on spiritual concepts to deepen one’s understanding. However, the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi—the founder of Chabad Hasidism—offers us a window into a more profound dimension of these practices, where contemplation moves beyond intellectual meditation and opens into direct experience.
The Alter Rebbe’s personal practice of Hitbonenut is a cornerstone of Chabad Chassidus. According to tradition, he would spend hours in Hitbonenut before beginning his prayers, not merely analyzing divine concepts but immersing himself in a state of awareness that dissolves the self into the infinite, what Jewish mysticism calls the Ein Sof—the boundless and limitless aspect of the divine.
In this expansive approach to Hitbonenut, contemplation shifts from thought-focused meditation to an experiential opening, leading to what other traditions describe as the “pristine mind” or “pure contemplation.” By embracing the formless, open nature of awareness, the Alter Rebbe connected to a state beyond the grasp of the ego, inviting direct experience of the divine presence.
This journey is deepened through Bittul, or self-nullification. Where Hitbonenut opens the door to spacious, boundless awareness, Bittul is the surrender of the self into that awareness. It’s a release of the ego’s hold, a quieting of personal identity that allows a merging with the infinite. This act of surrender is not a negation but an opening—a dissolving of the self to align fully with divine unity.
For those of us seeking to understand Hitbonenut and Bittul in this way, the Alter Rebbe’s practice offers a reminder that contemplation in its purest form transcends the intellect. It’s not about conceptual analysis but about experiencing divine unity as a living reality. As we explore this path, we step beyond thought, into the boundless.
In upcoming posts, we’ll further explore the practical steps, reflections, and guidance to cultivate these practices. Hitbonenut and Bittul invite us into the spaciousness of mystical contemplation, guiding us from understanding to a direct encounter with the divine.
🙏🕊️🙏
Book Review: Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi: The Philosophy of Chabad by Nisan Mendel
Nisan Mendel’s Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi: The Philosophy of Chabad is a profound exploration of the life and teachings of one of Jewish mysticism’s most influential figures. Rabbi Schneur Zalman, known as the Alter Rebbe, was the founder of the Chabad movement, and his teachings remain central to Hasidic philosophy and contemplative practice today.
Through this work, Mendel delves into the essence of Chabad philosophy, particularly its unique approach to Hitbonenut (contemplative meditation) and Bittul (self-nullification). Readers are introduced to the Alter Rebbe’s belief that intellectual understanding can be a pathway to divine experience, bridging the mind and heart to foster a deep connection with God. The book sheds light on the Alter Rebbe’s methods for approaching mystical contemplation, offering practical insights for those looking to incorporate these timeless practices into their own lives.
Mendel’s accessible writing and thoughtful explanations make complex topics approachable, while his reverence for the subject shines through, bringing Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s teachings to life. This book is especially valuable for readers who wish to understand the spiritual framework of Chabad and its emphasis on meditative thought as a means to reach divine awareness.
Whether you’re new to the ideas of Hitbonenut and Bittul or are already on a contemplative journey, The Philosophy of Chabad offers a valuable gateway to the Alter Rebbe’s approach to mysticism. By providing both philosophical insights and practical approaches, Mendel encourages readers to go beyond surface understanding and explore the depths of Chabad’s spiritual tradition.
🙏🕊️🙏
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Book Review: “Our Pristine Mind” by Orgyen Chowang
Embracing the Eternal Now: Cultivating Spiritual Presence in Daily Life
A Journey Through Mindfulness, Equanimity, and Spiritual Connection
In the whirlwind of our daily lives, it’s easy to become consumed by the relentless pace of duties, responsibilities, and the constant barrage of information. The echoes of the past and the whispers of the future often tug at our attention, leaving us fragmented and seldom at peace. Yet, the present moment holds a profound promise—the promise of true clarity and peace.
Cultivating a relaxed mind not only enhances our ability to navigate everyday challenges with grace but also opens us to deeper insights and a greater connection with our true selves. By learning to inhabit the moment fully, we unlock the potential to transform our entire life’s experience, fostering a state of well-being that radiates outward in our thoughts, actions, and interactions.
How, then, can we cultivate a state of equanimity and truly leave our minds alone? Here are some guiding principles to help us navigate this path.Don’t Follow the Past
It’s easy to be pulled back into the past. Imagine sitting quietly and suddenly a memory from a past mistake creeps in, clouding your mood and stealing the peace of the current moment. However, dwelling in the past often means missing out on the now—on the opportunity to engage fully with life as it happens. Letting go of the past involves an understanding that every moment is a chance to start anew, to choose differently, and to move forward with a lighter heart.
Practical Tip: Whenever you find yourself anchored to a past memory, gently remind yourself, “This memory is not my current reality.” Allow yourself to feel any emotions associated with it and then visualize setting it adrift down a river, watching it fade with compassion and detachment.
Don’t Anticipate the Future
Similarly, projecting our thoughts into the future can be just as distracting. Consider a scenario where you’re planning a meeting and start to worry excessively about its outcome, which then consumes your thoughts and disrupts your present work. Worrying about what’s yet to come not only breeds anxiety but also prevents us from taking actionable steps in the present that could actually mitigate those concerns.
Practical Tip: Practice grounding exercises when you find your mind darting forward. Focus on your senses—what can you see, hear, touch, taste, and smell right this moment? This practice helps bring you back to the present and reduces anxiety about the future.
Remain in Equanimity
Equanimity is the balanced state where we are not swayed by the highs of joy nor the lows of despair. Imagine receiving news that would typically upset you, but instead of reacting impulsively, you remain calm, reflecting on the situation with a balanced perspective. It is a place of mental stability and composure that allows us to face life’s challenges with a calm and steady mind.
Practical Tip: Develop a daily meditation practice. Even five minutes a day can help you cultivate a neutral mind that approaches all situations with balance and clarity.
Leave Your Mind Alone
At times, the best action is inaction. Consider watching your thoughts during a stressful moment, like observing clouds moving across the sky, without attempting to change their direction or speed. Leaving your mind alone means not meddling with your thoughts as they arise. It’s about observing them without judgment and letting them pass without attachment.
Practical Tip: Engage in mindfulness meditation where the goal is not to empty the mind of thoughts, but to observe them coming and going, like clouds across a vast sky.
Listening for the “Still Small Voice”
For our Christian friends, embracing the present moment can be seen as an opportunity to listen for the “still small voice” of God, as described in 1 Kings 19:12, where Elijah encounters God not in the earthquake or fire, but in a gentle whisper. Taking time each day to let go of our busy, distracted minds to rest in the Holy Spirit allows us to connect with divine guidance and comfort.
Similarly, the story of young Samuel from 1 Samuel 3:1-10 beautifully illustrates the process of becoming attuned to the divine voice. Mistaking the Lord’s call for Eli’s voice, Samuel’s repeated response, “Here I am,” eventually aligns with divine communication when he says, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” This moment of realization exemplifies the importance of being truly present, ready to receive spiritual guidance.
The Jewish Tradition of Hineni
In the Jewish tradition, the phrase “Hineni” – “I am here,” uttered by prophets like Abraham and Moses, represents a total, undistracted presence to the divine call. This sacred declaration is not just a statement of location but a profound acknowledgment of being fully present—spiritually, mentally, and physically—ready to engage with whatever God asks of them without hesitation.
Why It Matters
Understanding the distinction between simply being present and being spiritually present can transform the practice from a routine exercise to a life-changing discipline. The spiritual practice of presence is not about enduring the present but about uncovering an ever-present peace that enlightens and sustains us. It is here, in this sacred space, that we encounter the divine, the infinite, and the eternal right within our everyday moments.
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If you’re interested in exploring this transformative approach further, I highly recommend Orgyen Chowang’s book The Pristine Mind. His teachings provide a clear, compassionate path toward uncovering the inherent purity of our mind, offering a source of deep fulfillment and lasting peace.
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