blogs/brentspodek

The great kabbalist R. Moshe Cordevero says that the purpose of spiritual practice is, in short, to develop the courage to love and expand ones soul.

Today, millions of Americans are exultant that Trump has won the presidency; millions are devastated. For some there is joy; for others, particularly in historically marginalized communities, there is pain and even fear for basic safety. 

It's in these moments of fear, when we are pushed out onto what Adrienne Rich calls "some bleak, jutting edge, in a dark pierced by sheets of fire, swept by sheets of rain, in a world before kinship, or naming, or tenderness exist" that the courage to love and expand our souls is needed most. 

Spiritual practice is a practice - it's the practice of loving and of expanding our souls. It's the practice of building a world of kinship and tenderness. 

It is now, at moments of pain and fear, that we need to be faithful to our practice, to the meditation, prayer and song that help us love and expand our souls. 

Over the next few days, there will a number of opportunities for spiritual practice here at BHA. On Friday night we'll have a potluck dinner followed by our kirtan chanting Shabbat service; on Saturday, we'll have our Soul Stroll in the morning and an interfaith community sing in the evening. 

Kinship and tenderness are always possible. Now, more than ever, it is on us to invest in what matters.