An Eternal Light

An eternal light is described in Exodus in the course of setting up a mobile sanctuary while traveling though the wilderness.

This is a metaphor for our physical minds and bodies going through this world in this lifetime with a ner tamid, an eternal light within us at all times.

Last night looking up at the night sky I saw that a north wind was moving dark clouds shaped like a flock of great dark geese slowly passing overhead from north to south. And there too and was a young new moon shining between the moving clouds. Even when they seemed almost to cover her, you could always see her glow on their outer edges, and soon she was right out there clear again filled with gold light.

That eternal light, the ner tamid, is in us each all the time. Just look and you can see her light.

The Zohar (Book of Splendor) says that the great light comes out of the darkness. There can be no light without the darkness to reveal her.

                                   

June 2017

I’ve been working on Song of the Torah, a book of scripture selections with a bit of commentary. In the course of my studies I noticed that when one of the patriarchs dies, the Torah often says “and he was “gathered to his people.”

There’s a nice fellow in town here, whom I only know slightly. When I learned that his wife had just died, I wrote him a sympathy card and noted that his wife is now being joyfully “gathered to her people.”

I woke this morning from the sweetest dream. I was in the mountains with a few friends, helping them get settled before I was leaving to be with family when, lo - a sweet old car from the ’40s drove up and there was my dad driving and smiling at me warmly. Then he pointed across the mountains, and there in the distance was Mom waving hi.

I was talking by phone with my son now in Baghdad. I asked if he felt safe there. He said, yes, pretty safe, but if anything were to happen, we should know that he loves us.

 Same here, I said. I’m a bit older than you and I’ll probably return home before you. Just know I love you and we’ll be “gathered to our people.”

                                              

Hear the lightning, See the thunder

So much heart and a radiant soul

When you’re nearby I know that I’m whole

Talents and skills spill off your plate

Morning ‘til night, must be your fate

Wherever you go people are touched

Animals too, they love you so much

This animal also is grateful to be

Blessed with your love from heavens above

Day after day is never the same

The trees in our yard are calling your name

And singing out praise to have you nearby

Me too, this blessing brings tears to my eye

And songs of love keep coming up

What luck! What luck! You’ve filled my cup

 

Your presence makes faith true

I fell for you before I knew

How magnificent you are

Did you come down from a star

To make us laugh and bring us home

Or just to tease us with your beauty

However it happened I heard the call

And here am I in your great hall

Sing your song and dance your dance

Go deep fly high and have romance

Of course you’re free, but please consider

Truckin’ with me for one more year, for one more day

One more lifetime dancing this way

Now here we are in this beautiful place

Blessed with love blessed with grace

O’ what a mystery, so full of wonder

Hear the lightning, see the thunder

Liquid Night

Rose petals fall on the lake

Universe melting

One person gives up something

For someone else

The sun is setting

                                                The sun is rising

Through the ages, all the sages

Tap-dancing, fingers snapping, banjos plunking

Not so mellow saint fingering his prayer beads

Other hand in the jam

Circle of mantras around my neck

White clouds wreathe Music Mountain

Twenty-seven Buddha’s in the chrysanthemums

The pictures of God are alive

The Sound of the Forest

Sunday in July. Free morning sort of

I want to make music, sing and pray, and do some Yoga

But here I sit not making a move

Watching the butterflies and feeling the presence of this forest

T H E    P R E S E N C E        Y A H

The Gita says, when you’re in a place of witnessing extraordinary beauty

Then you’re in “the Presence of God”

O’ these pines and hickories, and just over there

“The Mountains”

         * * *

And there are other things I also want to do

Go into the mountains, stop at an overlook

Draw and paint, sing and play

Write and dance, love and romance

[Are these your kavannot, prayerful intentions

Or just another “to-do” list

Check’m off as you do’m

Send book to daughter]

The sounds in this forest; “it’s all Your name.”