Opening Our Inner Selves to Tikkun Olam

72 T I K K U N W W W. T I K K U N . O R G W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 25 YEARS OF TIKKUN OpeningOurInnerSelvestoTikkunOlam bySheilaPeltzWeinberg T here is a reciprocal relationship between remaking the world and remaking ourselves, betweenthecouragetobewithourownpainandthe ability to open to the suffering of others. There is no realseparationbetweenourinnerspirituallandscape and the systems of power and privilege that operate in the world. When we become more aware of the inner obstacles to freedom and peace, we are more able to work for our ideals without recreatingthesystemswearetryingtochange. This is not new. What is potent for me is actually experiencing this in my own mind and body. When I sit in meditation, I experience the negativity of my own mind up close and personal. I see what my choices are. Just by sitting still or relaxing into a yoga pose. There is another possibility. That possibility is always the same.Youcancallitlove,connection,intimacy.Youcancallitgenerosity , kindness, acceptance of this moment for what it is right now. When I know that this is what is happening right now and the next moment will be different, as long as I do not resist it, a spaceopens.Thisisthespaceoffreedomwhichactivatesmyintelligence , my free will. Neuroscientists explain the physiology of this process of liberation. We can change our brains through taking the time to pay attention to our minds under certain conditions.Amazing. Itisonlywithinthelasttwentyyearsthatmylifehasturnedme toward these contemplative practices of mindfulness meditation andyoga.IhaveworkedintheJewishcommunitymyentirelife— teaching Hebrew school and serving in community relations, Hillel, and the congregational rabbinate. I have always tried to reconcile work on my character and consciousness (the inside healing)withthepursuitofjusticeandpeace(theoutsidehealing). I did not learn contemplative meditation practices in the Jewish world, but I have been teaching them to Jews in a multitude of settings, primarily at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (ijs-online.org). The institute creates intensive learning experiences for professionals and lay leaders who are committed to deepening their own Jewish spiritual lives and making the connection between the “inner” work of spiritual growth and the “outer”workofcreatingmorejusticeandcompassionintheworld. How does teaching meditation and yoga contribute to tikkun olam?Let’sconsiderwhatoccurswhenone’sactivismismotivated by petty motives or unexamined wounds; or when our effort to make change is fueled with hostility and aggression toward those who disagree with us; or when we do not cultivate the qualities of patience, trust and generosity; or when we cannot tolerate things not going our way. We create environments that mirror our inner landscape.Whenweclencharoundthedifficultandthepainful,it becomes more difficult and more painful. When we act from a placeofviolence,violenceisreturned. In contrast, when we cultivate contemplative tools through yoga and meditation, the boundaries of our selves become more porous. We start to suffer less as we become less self-centered. With clarity and calm we take the suffering of others into our awareness and care. This motivates us to work for justice, especially when we teach in the language and context of an ancient tradition that calls us to protect the widow and the orphan, the marginalized, and the forgotten. I believe that contemplative practices have the potential to help us actualize our deepestdesiretobeofservicetoeachother.I SheilaWeinbergisaseniorteacherattheInstituteforJewishSpiritualityandhasbeenaReconstructionist-trainedrabbiforalmost25years.Shewrites “IdobelieveIhavebeenaTikkunsubscribersincethebeginning.” ARTSIONA.COM AND FLOMENHAFTGALLERY.COM “Fereshtini #8” bySionaBenjamin. ...