Practices to Enhance Spirituality in Everyday Life
Awakening Moment to Moment Mindfulness with Jewish Spiritual Practices
In traditional daily Jewish Blessings practice we generate moment to moment awareness and gratitude by pausing before doing an activity or upon seeing something. We stop and recite a specific prayer/blessing to connect with the miracle of being present in the Flow of Life in this moment through this activity.
In Buddhist mindfulness practice, we stop, breathe and recite a GATHA, a Sanskrit word for a meditation verse said to yourself or with others. Pausing, breathing and reciting the verse we refresh ourselves and bring mindful attention to an activity.
Below are a few daily and shabbat activities traditionally preceded by a Hebrew blessing to try out throughout our retreat. This form of Gatha/Blessing practice integrates Plum Village Buddhist practice and traditional Jewish observance. Slowing down, pausing and breathing, we recite the verse in its particular moment to bring us back to dwelling in the present, deeply aware of the action we are doing so that we can perform it with understanding and awareness. The gathas here can be used as part of your daily practice.
The traditional beginning (transliterated here from the Hebrew feminine form) that you fill in with the activity you are bringing awakened consciousness to is:
Berukhah At Shekhinah Eloteinu Ruakh ha’Olam...
Blessed are You, Shekhinah, Indwelling Presence, Spirit of the World, who has given us...
- Upon awakening:
In the gentle morning light, I awaken, grateful for the breath of life. I have a new day. With each mindful step, I honor the sacred gift of being, cherishing the interwoven tapestry of existence.
-Washing up
As water flows over my hands, I am reminded of life's precious fluidity. In this simple act of cleansing, I embrace the purity and renewal that each moment offers, a sacred connection to all of creation.
-Entering and Exiting a Doorway
Touching the threshold, I pause and open my heart as I enter ( or exit) this room
-Using the bathroom
In this quiet moment of release, I honor the wisdom of my body, a marvelous creation of interconnectedness. As I let go and renew, I embrace with gratitude the continuous miracles within, mindful of the sacred dance of life's intricate workings.
- Exiting the Bathroom
Emerging from this space of solitude, I am renewed, a witness to the body's natural rhythm and grace. In each step forward, I carry with me a sense of renewal and gratitude, embracing the ever-flowing cycle of life's gentle movements.
-Celebrating this moment/Shehecheyanu ( any activity or moment!)
In this moment I stop and feel grateful for everything that has kept me alive, sustained me and brought me to this moment.
Hebrew transliteration: Berukhah At Shekhinah Eloteinu Ruakh ha’Olam shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.
-When looking in the mirror; when mind wanders in meditation:
Ayeka? Where are you?
-Walking meditation
With each mindful step, I touch the Earth, grounding in the present moment's embrace. Each footfall, a gentle kiss to the ground, connects me to the here and now, a rhythmic dance of peace and presence.
-Observing Nature:
In each leaf, each drop of rain, I see the intricate dance of creation. This mindful observation deepens my connection to all forms of life, an endless wellspring of awe and wonder.
-Group Study or Discussion:
As we share thoughts and wisdom, I cherish this collective journey of learning. Each voice, a unique melody in the symphony of understanding, deepens our collective insight.
-Resting/Sitting in Silence:
In stillness, I find the pulse of being, a quiet space where breath and spirit converge. Here, in silent presence, I touch the essence of peace, a sanctuary within.
-Preparing for Sleep:
As I prepare for sleep, I release the day's thoughts and cares. In this rest, I honor the rhythm of my being, trusting the night to rejuvenate body and soul. In the gentle hush of night, as I prepare for rest, I turn inward with a heart seeking balance. I offer forgiveness for any harm I have caused and release any hurt I have received, embracing a spirit of compassion and understanding. In this act of letting go, I affirm that no one shall bear burden on my account, weaving a tapestry of peace as I drift into sleep. As night enfolds the world in its tranquil embrace, I recite the bedtime Shema.
Shma Yisrael, YHVH Eloheynu, YHVH Echad. Listen, God-wrestlers, Interbeing is our divine essence, the sacred Oneness that intertwines all. In this unity, we find our truest self, connected to all existence, a harmonious tapestry where every thread is vital, every soul a reflection of the Infinite.
Mealtime Mindfulness Practices
-Contemplating your plate before eating
Before me lies a plate, a mosaic of Earth's bounty, each element a testament to life's interconnected dance. As I pause, I reflect with gratitude on the journey of these nourishments, from seed to sustenance, mindfully embracing the cycle of giving and receiving.
-Thich Nhat Hanh’s 5 Contemplations Before Eating
This food is the gift of the whole universe: the earth, the sky, the universe, numerous living beings, and much hard, loving work.
May we eat with mindfulness and gratitude so as to be worthy to receive it.
May we recognize and transform our unwholesome mental formations, especially our greed, and learn to eat with moderation.
May we keep our compassion alive by eating in such a way that we reduce the suffering of living beings, preserve our planet, and reverse the process of global warming.
We accept this food so we can nurture our sisterhood and brotherhood, strengthen our community, and nourish our ideal of serving all living beings.
-Beginning the meal: Blessing over the first four mouthfuls
Contemplate the source of each food before you lift your utensil. Then say the mindfulness blessing to yourself beginning with :
Berukhah At Yah Eloheynu Ruakh Ha’olam…
Consuming grains other than bread:
… boret minei mizonot.
Consuming food from a tree:
…boret pri ha’etz.
Consuming food from the earth”
…boreh pri ha’adamah.
…who creates the fruit of the ground.
Consuming food or drink from a vine:
…boret pri hagafen
…who creates fruit of the vine
Consuming water or any combination of foods:
… who creates all through the word
… shehakol nihyeh bid’varah.
-After the Meal
Brich Rachamana/Ve-Achalta ve-savata (after the meal):
וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ וּבֵרַכְתָ
V’achalta, v'savata, oo-vay-rach-ta
We ate when we were hungry and now we’re satisfied
We thank the source of blessing for all that S/He provides.
V’achalta, v'savata,.....
Hunger is a yearning in body and soul
Earth, air, fire, water, and spirit makes us whole.
V’achalta, v'savata,.....
Giving and receiving we open up our hands
From seedtime through harvest, we’re partners with the land.
V’achalta, v'savata,.....
We share in a vision of wholeness and release
Where every child is nourished and we all live in peace.
V’achalta, v'savata,.....
Hebrew: Deuteronomy 8:6
English: Hanna Tiferet Siegel