Dear friends,

Life marches on…
It’s time for a new series….
This one has alot to do with;
my past [the topics , I've explored previously]
my present [an impending trip's seminar consisting of these topics]
my future [seeking to tap into totally new perspectives]

THE PRESENCE SERIES

MEDITATION 24\7

YOUR PRESENCE OF MIND MAY BE VERY CONSTRICTIVE

OR VERY EXPANSIVE OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN….

You can begin to expand your presence  by being in a constant state of meditation

You can further expand your presence by being in a constant state of soul

You can further expand your presence by being in a constant state of g-d connection

You can further expand your presence by being in a constant state of past life guidance

You can further expand your presence by being in a constant state of ratzon/will

You can further expand your presence by being in a constant state of kabbalistic cosmic impact


WE BEGIN THE FIRST STEP OF THIS JOURNEY INTO THE VAST EXPANSES OF THE MIND BY AWAKENING OUR MEDITATIVE CONSCIOUSNESS —BY LIVING IN A MEDITATIVE STATE AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN…..


So the question arises—-How can we be in a meditative state  24/7? Is it even possible? Isn’t it true that the natural rhythm of life is one of highs followed by lows and then more highs…etc…? So how can one be in a state of meditation  24/7 [or any other state for that matter]?


I believe the answer to all of these questions is found in a proper understanding of what meditation really is all about……to make it very simple—meditation is focus, awareness or presence—-and this presence applies to whatever it is that you are doing, whether it be sitting in a lotus position on the top of the Himalayahs, or just hanging out with a good friend telling jokes……everything is fair game for meditation….the difference between a non-meditative state and a meditative state is simply the quality of  focus/awareness/presence  that is involved…..


To add the Jewish Kabalistic factor to the meditative definition, we need to say that the underlying  purpose of meditation , is to let the Neshama/Soul come through to the surface from underneath the stranglehold of the  chaotic mind and body that are shutting it up most of the time…..once this presence-filled meditative state allows the soul to come through  in all of it’s full  Divinely inspired splendor, then life becomes not only completely meditative, but also sacred…..

With these thoughts in mind —we now ask the most important question—‘How do we stay in an expanded state of being all the time’?     I believe that the answer lies in our attitude or outlook of life……As I have often discussed, perhaps the most important discovery that I have made in my own spiritual explorations is the following;  to the extent that I am totally self expressed—or in my terminology—ALL-ING—to that extent, I am in a state of wellbeing, connectedness, presence , inspiration, awakeness and all the rest of the descriptive words that describe this same idea….

Here are some of the  practical applications that I’ve discovered [from life and from the  Holy Source Books];

JEWISH MYSTICAL APPROACHES TO LIVING IN A STATE OF MEDITATION 24/7

1.AFFIRMATIONS

KAVEI EL HASHEM CHAZAK VYAMEITZ LIBECHA VKAVEI EL HASHEM

HOPE FOR HASHEM, BE STRONG & STRENTHEN YOUR HEART & HOPE FOR HASHEM

[TEHILLIM 27/14]

One way to stay in the meditative state, is to constantly repeat a statement of affirmation that your mind can wrap itself around, no matter what you’re involved in…….this has the effect of focusing and reframing all that you do around the message of the affirmation….here are a few examples;

a.Hashleich el Hashem yehavcha vhu yichalkelecha

Toss up to Hashem your burden , and He will take care of it for you

b. Perfect as is

c. Haboteach b’Hashem, Chesed Yesovevenhu

One who trusts in Hashem will be surrounded by Chesed

d. Even better

e. Let go—-let G-d

f. Ribbono Shel Olam       Master of the Universe

2. MESHIVAT NEFESH    RESTORE MY SOUL

[a book based on R.Nachman’s teaching of this principle]

Another way to stay in the meditative state, is to realize that life’s natural rhythm is high times followed by low times and then those followed by high times and on and on like this…..once we accept this, then we can actually be very present even in the low times…here are few ways how to do that;

a. Wait it out———-

just sit back and be!   Don’t get involved in arguments….don’t make real important decisions….don’t try to understand or analyze things too much…just watch the wall or your fingers or your partner’s nose —-just be patient until your expanded consciousness sets in….enjoy the low key ride…..

b. See the low times as a learning experience ——-

there are lessons to be learned from the low times—sometimes, the reason why you are partially stuck is in order to learn how not to get stuck again…..sometimes you are placed in a low position in order to ask yourself why—-what is it that you have done to get where you are, and how can you avoid it……

c. See the low times as being necessary for the high times——

just like a person needs to sleep in order to get energized for when they are awake, so too do the low times energize the high times….the lower self energy renews the higher self energy….the hunger experienced in low times makes you appreciate the satisfaction in the high times….



****at this point, I will just convey the ‘headings’ of the other approaches, with the hope that at a future time , I will  be able elaborate more on them;


3. Fusing the Divine with the Mundane

[including Hitbodedut\free form speaking with Hashem, extending every word of Prayer and other Sacredness at least 7 seconds, transforming life into a constant performance of Mitzvot, Letting Go and letting G-d]

4. All-ing

b’chol levavecha u’vecol nafshecha u’vechol meodecha

with all your heart and all your soul and all your might

[ from the first paragraph of the daily SHEMA recital]

[including the P.L.U.G. I.N.meditation, the ALL-ING meditation and the 5 levels of Soul meditation]


5. Puppet show— The Baal shem Tov’s teaching of personally guided Divine Providence

6. Letting in the Soul

[including the following meditations---'wait till all of me screams yes', 'what does Hashem say', 'seeing everything as a Divinely sent directive', 'seeing everything as being Eternal']

7. People-ing

Bisvilli nivra haolam     the  world was created just for me

Hadam olam katan        Every person is an entire world

[ from the wisdom of our Sages]

8. Living your life’s calling

Mah chovato b’olamo    [one needs to know] what their calling is in life

[ from the ‘Path of the Just’ by R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto zt’l ]

[including the 3-step Co-creating exercise and the Presume-graduation speech and the exercises for drawing out your life's Ratzon]

9. Essence-ing

omek Hamusag       [conveying] the essential point

[the end-purpose of intellectual analysis as brought in early CHABAD works]

[including Hitbonnenut contemplations, and 'the speaking and thinking in essences meditation']

10. Windows

Bo El Hateiva      Come into the Ark [or alternatively---into the word or sentence]

[A teaching from the Baal Shem Tov]

[including  the 'Window Meditation' and the 'Knowing Meditation' ]

all the best,
yitzchak