Category Archives: Historic Voices

Strong Enough to Forgive

08 Tuesday Mar 2016

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“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

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The Course in Miracles posits that forgiveness is essentially acknowledging that we have not been harmed. How can that be? Certainly the events that require forgiveness in the first place are ones where some harm has been done! I think what is meant is that when we are strong enough to recognize that we have survived a hurt, grown from a wound, maybe even become stronger in spite of, or because of it, we can then let go of the hatred or resentment toward the person who caused the hurt in the first place.

I”m not a fan of being naive, of “forgive and forget”. A dear friend of mine suggests that we “forgive and remember”; in other words, forgive our past hurts, let go of that burden, but realize that some people may hurt us again, and to extend trust to those we know won’t betray it. The world is not our mother.

But when we are strong, we realize that despite the slings and arrows we have been struck by, we are still standing, and we can extend the gift of forgiveness. Recognizing the blessing in our lives helps us to see through Rumi’s eyes: “What strikes the oyster doesn’t harm the pearl.” Gandhi’s entire life message was one of forgiving others their brutality and ignorance while relentlessly pursuing our own path. In so doing, he opened the eyes of his friends and foes alike to their mutual humanity. To walk that path requires enormous strength. And leads us to a place where few, if any, can truly harm us.

Where can you ask and grant forgiveness in your life today?

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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ( 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India. Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The honorific Mahatma (Sanskrit: “high-souled”, “venerable”)—applied to him first in 1914 in South Africa,—is now used worldwide. He is also called Bapu (Gujarati: endearment for “father”or “papa”) in India. In common parlance in India he is often called Gandhiji. He is unofficially called the Father of the Nation.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive, consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.

Expect Miracles

05 Saturday Mar 2016

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“A miracle does not prove what is impossible; rather it is an affirmation of what is possible.”

-Maimonides

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We often think of miracles as supernatural events, wrought by the Hand of G!D or one of Her prophets, spectacular and rare. But what if miracles were possible in every moment?

Take water for instance. If water  became denser as it froze into solid form, as do most materials, life would be impossible in cold climates. Lakes would freeze from the bottom up as the ice sank in the lighter liquid water. But because ice is less dense, it floats and insulates to some degree, preserving the liquid water and life beneath in lakes, rivers and streams.

Green cells take sunlight and minerals dissolved in water and create sugars and starches, on which virtually all other life depends. If no green cells, then no other life forms. Einstein remarked that in life, either everything is a miracle, or nothing is.

So miracles may be a function of expectations. If we expect life to be dull and ordinary most of the time, it surely will be in our dull, ordinary eyes. If we expect miraculous things, we will begin to see them all around us and within us. Each breath, when we stop and really notice it, is a miracle. Each heart beat, every ladybug or earthworm. Don’t even get me started on the cosmos! Miracles surround us, if we have the eyes to see.

How many miracles can you witness today?

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Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (acronymed Rambam  for “Rabbeinu Moshe Ben Maimon”, and Latinized Moses Maimonides), was a preeminent medieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher and astronomer,and  became one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars and physicians of the Middle Ages. He worked as a rabbi, physician, and philosopher in Morocco and Egypt.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive, consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.

Welcoming Hard Times

04 Friday Mar 2016

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“There is no education like adversity”

-Benjamin Disraeli

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I’ve had a paragraph form the seminal book The Way of Transformation by Karlfried Graf von Durckheim hanging on my wall for over 30 years. It says, in essence, that when we fall on hard times we should not seek comfort, but rather friends who will help us to risk ourselves, move through adversity and come out stronger on the other side. He teaches that by exposing ourselves “over and over again to annihilation”, we can find that which is eternal and indestructible within us.

Disraeli would agree. Adversity, while  unwelcome, can give us lessons, skills and experience that makes us stronger and smarter. Sometimes just making it through to Friday is a victory! And a day of hard times is better than no day at all. We can bless it, wrestle with it, and learn from it.

What adversity is wrestling with you today, and  what can you learn from it?

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Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, (21 December 1804 – 19 April 1881) was a British politician and writer, who twice served as Prime Minister.  He made the Conservatives the party most identified with the glory and power of the British Empire. He is the only British Prime Minister of Jewish birth.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive, consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.

Be More Like You!

02 Wednesday Mar 2016

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“I worry that when I stand before Heavenly Judgement,  they’re not going to ask me ‘Why weren’t you more like Moses?’ or ‘Why weren’t you more like King David?’ But I’m afraid they will ask me ‘Zusha, why weren’t you more like Zusha?’ And then what will I say?!”

-Reb Zusha

woman-1160258_1920So often in our lives we try to emulate others, to be more like someone we look up to or admire, a sports hero, public figure, rock star or historical giant. Reb Zusha’s story suggests that that’s the wrong approach. While we can admire qualities in others, he teaches we should try to be ourselves. We are, each of us,  unique, irreplaceable, one of a kind. As Oscar Wilde famously said: “Be yourself, darling. Everyone else is already taken!”

In my early 20’s, I decided to stop trying to be cool, and to start being myself. And sometimes I still get to be cool, to boot! That path change has made all the difference in my life.

It may or not be that we are put here for a purpose. I choose to believe that we are, and further, that we can define the purpose we wish to serve. The process of serving our unique purpose is discovering who we are, what talents we have or can develop, and what the world needs most. Then if we live our lives at the intersection of those 3 domains; “This is me!” “Here’s what I can do!” and “What does the World need most?”,  we will certainly have impactful, meaningful lives. it starts with being the best “me” we can be.

How can you be deeply yourself today?

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Rabbi Meshulam Zusha of Hanipol (1718–1800),aka Reb Zusha, was an Orthodox rabbi and an early Hasidic luminary. He was one of the great Hassidic Rebbes of the third generation and member of the academy circle of the Maggid of Mezeritch.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive, consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.

At Peace With All

26 Friday Feb 2016

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“The first focus in life here on earth is to be at peace with all people.”

~  Joel Ben Abraham Shemariah

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Shalom, the all-purpose Hebrew word that is used as a hello and goodbye greeting, means peace. But the roots of the word also mean completeness, wholeness, health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, and the absence of agitation or discord. “Mah Shlomcha?” (for a man), or Mah Shlomeych?” (for a woman), means “How are you?” How is your peace, your welfare, your wholeness, your completeness?

This excerpt above from the will of Joel ben Avraham Shemariah prioritizes shalom with all people as our first focus. We can hear the echoes of “Love your neighbor as yourself ” here. What does it mean, what would our lives look like, if we first and foremost strove to be peaceful,  complete, whole, healthy, safe, sound, tranquil, prosperous, perfect, full, restful, harmonious, and looked out for the welfare of and avoided agitation or discord with everyone in our lives? Sounds like a mountainous way to live, but well worth the effort! It would take all our time, but nothing would be left to do! The World would be whole, and at peace.

How is your “peace” today?

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Rabbi Joel Ben Abraham Shemariah (died 1799), lived in Vilna, in what is now Lithuania. He is known for the teachings left in his will.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive, consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.

 

 

Thank You Is Enough

20 Saturday Feb 2016

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“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘Thank You,’ that would suffice.”
― Meister Eckhart

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One of my teachers used to say that an “attitude of gratitude” was the fastest way into Divine Presence. Meister Eckhart says that if “thanks” is the only prayer that ever passes our lips, it’s enough! Pretty radical stuff, given that there are millions of intricate prayers across thousands of faith paths covering every topic imaginable to the human soul.

Prayers for help, redemption, blessings, praise, intercession, relief; the list goes on and on. What makes a simple prayer of thanks so all encompassing?

It may be that in order to give thanks, we need to pause and reflect on what’s good around us or within us. To notice grace, a gift, a blessing in the moment. No matter how brief, a moment spent in gratitude is a moment of perfection, a moment spent acknowledging, “This is Good.”

Prayer is more important for what it does to us than what it gets for us. We can never be certain that prayer will effect any change out in the world. But we can be certain that it will effect change within us. And when we pause and open our eyes to what we have to be grateful for, even for a split second. we are at peace.  And Peace is the Whole.

What can you give thanks for, right here and right now?

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Eckhart von Hochheim (c. 1260 – c. 1328), commonly known as Meister Eckhart , was a German theologian, philosopher and mystic, born near Gotha, in the Landgraviate of Thuringia in the Holy Roman Empire.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive, consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.

G!D Is The Whole System

13 Saturday Feb 2016

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“Eternity is the very core of God” 

-Baruch Spinoza

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Both belief in a particular vision of G!D or total atheism are huge acts of faith. Absolute proof cannot be made one way or the other, at least not by us. Who or what is G!D? I guess the best and truest answer is that we really don’t know. But here’s my working definition, one that Spinoza’s line resonates with, the one that brings some meaning to me:

G!D is the name we use for that infinite eternal system of which we are all a part and cannot fully fathom, because we can never stand apart from that system and see the whole. We, on our best days, can simply sense it’s enormity and stand in awe within it. It’s the whole thing: biosphere, microsphere, cosmos; a power of infinity inward  and outward until we reach the place where both connect. And as the letter writer Paul says, we only see it through a dark glass.

The important thing is not to comprehend it, but to relate to it. To call out in a voice loud, or one small and still, or just to listen to the enormous Silence.

May we see the Whole, may we achieve what is intended that can heal, avoid what is unintended that can harm, stumble upon what blesses. May our will and purpose align with the will and purpose of the Whole System, The All, The Singularity, The Unity. And all the Beings say: Amen.

How can you open to and align with the Whole in your life?

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Baruch Spinoza (24 November 1632 – 21 February 1677),  was a Dutch philosopher of Sephardi Portuguese origin. By laying the groundwork for the 18th-century Enlightenment and modern biblical criticism, including modern conceptions of the self and the universe, he came to be considered one of the great rationalists of 17th-century philosophy.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.

Hands in Both Pockets

09 Tuesday Feb 2016

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“Everyone must have two pockets, with a note in each pocket, so that he or she can reach into the one or the other, depending on the need. When feeling lowly and depressed, discouraged or disconsolate, one should reach into the right pocket, and, there, find the words: ‘For my sake was the world created.’

But when feeling high and mighty one should reach into the left pocket, and find the words: ‘I am but dust and ashes.'”-Rabbi Simcha Bunem of Pershyscha.

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As we walk the knife edge of life, it’s useful to bear in mind the words of Reb Simcha above. We are both a “greater glory than the universe and all its stars” as Rumi says, and we are also a lump of stuff, worth just a few bucks on the open market. Reflections of Divine Image, and bags of meat walking around.

Living in the cognitive dissonance between these two realities, something uniquely human can come forth; glory with humility, accomplishment with compassion. Yes, we are unique and special and without parallel, but so is everyone else! We are a miracle of nature, and we share 25% of the same DNA as a banana, so we should get over ourselves.

But life lived between glory and ashes is pretty incredible. The poet Rilke writes, “Stretch yourself between two opposing poles; because inside human beings is where G!D learns.” Not a bad gig when you think about it. Keeping our hands in both pockets.

What’s your glory and ashes?

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Rabbi Simcha Bunim Bonhart of Peshischa (Przysucha, in Poland) (1765–1827) was one of the key leaders of Hasidic Judaism in Poland. Not wanting to take up a rabbinical position, he supported himself by practicing pharmacy.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, artist, builder, naturalist, consultant, and EcoKosher mashgiach. He lives with his wife Sara in western Massachusetts, where he serves as head groundskeeper and resident singer songwriter. Send him your favorite teaching quote for commentary. He can be reached at joe.laur@joelaur.com.

Throw Yourself Like Seed

07 Sunday Feb 2016

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“Throw yourself like seed as you walk, and into your own field…”

-Miguel de Unamuno

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This poem by Miguel de Unamuno urges us not to let the past weigh us down, or old longings hold us back, but to turn our selves to our work. Not just our daily jobs, but the work for which we were uniquely created and are best suited for. Our life’s work.

He says that by planting out lives in the furrows of the field, we may be able to return some day and gather a rich harvest, a harvest of Self and Meaning.  And old adage urges us to “do the biggest thing you can that is not impossible.” Sometimes even the impossible comes to pass as well in the process.

It can be fun as well. Mark Twain’s suggestion was to “Make your vocation your vacation.” As you return to your work today, you might want to ask your self the question;

What is the biggest work I’m here to do? How can I have a blast doing it?

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Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo (29 September 1864 – 31 December 1936) was a Spanish essayist, novelist, poet, playwright, philosopher, and Greek professor, and later rector at the University of Salamanca.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, artist, builder, naturalist, consultant, and EcoKosher mashgiach. He lives with his wife Sara in western Massachusetts, where he serves as head groundskeeper and resident singer songwriter. Send him your favorite teaching quote for commentary. He can be reached at joe.laur@joelaur.com.

Permit Yourself Pleasure

04 Thursday Feb 2016

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“When I come before G!D, I will have to answer for many things. But what will I tell Him when He asks me, ‘Have you seen My Alps?'”-Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch

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Toward the end of his life, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, the great 19th century leader of Orthodox German Jewry, set out for Switzerland by foot. His students asked him why he would risk such a journey at his age, Rabbi Hirsch answered them, “When I come before my Creator, I will have to answer for many things. But what will I tell Him when He asks me, ‘Have you seen My Alps?'”

According to tradition, one of the questions we will each be asked at the end of our lives when we stand before creation is, “Did you partake of life’s permitted pleasures?”

We often think of a spiritual path as one of denial. And to be sure, things like fasting, mastering our urges, developing discipline in our practice, can indeed lead us to spiritual clarity, and for some of us, save our lives from addiction, dissolution and damage.

But pleasure has a holy place too. After all, in Genesis’ creation myth, we are placed in the Garden to enjoy the fruits! (Even the Forbidden Fruit, perhaps. It may be that G!D knew the surest way to get a child to do something is to tell them not to!)

If we are created in the Divine Image, and we have senses of touch, taste, hearing, sight and smell, then isn’t using our senses a holy thing? Alice Walker writes that G!D gets angry if we don’t notice the color purple in a field. Strawberries, sunsets, fresh baked bread, song, wine, the touch of a lover’s hand, the smile of a child; the world is bursting with pleasures that await us. The difference between God and Good is just an “Oh!” of noticing, experiencing, partaking in permitted pleasure.

What life giving pleasure can you enjoy today?

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (June 20, 1808 – December 31, 1888) was a German rabbi best known as the intellectual founder of the Torah im Derech Eretz school of contemporary Orthodox Judaism. Occasionally termed neo-Orthodoxy, his philosophy, together with that of Azriel Hildesheimer, has had a considerable influence on the development of Orthodox Judaism.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, artist, builder, naturalist, consultant, and EcoKosher mashgiach. He lives with his wife Sara in western Massachusetts, where he serves as head groundskeeper and resident singer songwriter. Send him your favorite teaching quote for commentary. He can be reached at joe.laur@joelaur.com.