Hierarchy

Don't buy the line that spiritually speaking there's no hierarchy. That's only true in the Ultimate sense. It's not true in the relative reality where humans and even angels roam. For where there's no hierarchy there's no variety either. Wherever you see variety, know that hierarchy has paid a visit and planted his seeds.

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Fishing for Light

If you find that few, if any, fish nibble, please consider the possibility that maybe your problem isn't a case of your line just skimming along on the surface of the water.

If your effort is real then you're trying. You are clearly beyond fishing superficially.

Perhaps, what's really happening is that you dropped your line far too deep, deeply past where your favorite schools of fish roam. Your line has simply traveled past them on its way down. It now dangles beyond their range.

Reel your line in a bit, closer to the surface. By adjusting its length, you'll meet up with your fish and bring them home.

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Wheels of Love

The wheels of love keep spinning,

 A universe with life keeps teeming.

Love, its core nutritive element,

 Courses through each artery n' vein.

With it flowers keep on blossoming,

 And birds keep chirping sweet songs.

Generations of creatures come,

 And yes, ultimately they also go.

Love fills time with both Ebb and Flow,

 As both actors dance on the same stage.

King David pleaded for length of life,

 Until he was shown Solomon's reign.

Its glorious vision dazzled his eyes.

 And in love, his request was retracted.

Love's the only true Divine emanation.

 All else is mere clothing layered over.

Ensure love's your core expression too.

 So you will succeed in imitating His ways.

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Lantern

Your body is a lantern,

  Inside a flickering soul.

The cleaner your heart,

  The cleaner the glass.

Then clearer is the light,

  And the further its reach.

Welcome the cleaning,

  A world awaits your light.

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Encounter

Don't ever lose sight:

When you meet another,

You encounter a soul.

The same is true when,

You encounter yourself.

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Strange Aroma

Something strange happened yesterday. 

As a kindness, a community member called me to ask me if I needed someone to cook meals for me and my children this Sabbath. I explained that I was already taken care of and thanked her profusely for her concern. Hearing on the other end of the phone that she sighed, I asked her if everything is alright.  She explained that the food was already prepared. So I suggested sending it to another community member whom I felt could really use it.  She sounded happy with the solution and we hung up.  

None of this in itself was strange. That's just the normative kindness that goes around my community, which I certainly don't take for granted. What was strange to me was something else. The whole time we spoke, I smelled the food. Then it faded when we hung up. How did that happen? Any suggestions?

Lantern You

Did you know you are a luminous lantern,

  Shining with splendorous, deep, sweet light?

You intake invisible lights from your soul.

  Then with good deeds recast them visibly.

Far from being static, you are truly organic.

  You not only glow, but you can also grow.

Your every good deed molds your capacity,

  Deepening you to contain sweeter luminosity.

As the soul train passes through your station,

  She holds passengers for your contemplation.

Surprise! You've unexpectedly enlightened;

 Yet barely by thinking, mostly by doing.

Though you can't contemplate your way to God,

  Good deeds may bring you fresh divine insights.

~ Inspired by Rabbi Nathan of Nemirov, LH, Gitten 4

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