Reflecting Back, Thinking Forward

I have spent years writing on the subject of God’s Oneness/Infinity and our world’s relationship with the spiritual. Much of what I wrote is designed to provide a Jewish mystical answer to some of the difficult questions of existence, the kind of questions people typically call “existential”. My blog is laden with at least ten years worth of such writings: essays, stories and poems. It’s a collection of literary output designed to prompt and possibly guide.

In a soul searching moment, I have decided to begin adding a practical dimension to my writings going forward. However, in response to those who are apt to value the practical at the expense of the intellectual or the artistic, I proclaim that I fully value what I wrote until this point. I am not repenting nor recanting. I am simply layering value upon the already valuable.

Exploring existential and spiritual questions has inherent value for a variety of reasons. Among them includes that such study itself ...

1. bridges at least some small part of the soul/body divide.

2. extends positive vibes out into the universes; introducing positive changes to the course of human destiny.

3. shapes our “life perspective”, to improve our overall approach to life.

I credit Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, whose writings and recorded lectures have evoked in me a consciousness that it’s time to take my writings to a new level. It’s time to write about how these spiritual teachings awaken us to develop a more compassionate society. 

Like Rabbi Sacks, I do not think such teachings can directly affect the arena of politics. Besides, most of us are much more influential in our social sphere than we are in politics. In any event, our society is primarily built upon social units. At best, politics follows behind the advances of society like the trailing edge of a bridal gown. Each of us, in our own ways, participate as builders of society. Our individual stories blend together into everyone else’s to finally become the building blocks of a single sweeping grand story, the story of the society we all share.

So, here starts my new direction:

Nothing in our world, nor even in the highest of spiritual worlds, can be truly One as God is. Nothing emanated or created can retain its individual existence in the naked revelation of God’s Oneness. However, we can openly manifest blessings which flow from His Oneness. True, they are not literally His Oneness. (How can they be?) But, they are "of His Oneness". 

These blessings can reach us individually and collectively. They can improve our spiritual, mental, emotional, biological and financial well being. The way to elicit such blessings is to come close to God. Since physical space does not apply to our relationship with God, this “closeness” is accomplished by becoming as “similar” as possible; meaning, by “imitation” or “alignment”.

We “imitate” God’s Oneness on our level by unifying society to the point where people truly care for and help each other. Since we are composite beings, the state of Oneness is reflected in us as a force which binds us. When we’re “one” we’re bound together. When we’re “multiple” we’re just a jumbled mass, tripping over ourselves and each other. 

The story of the society we build as a reflection of God’s Oneness depends on our attitudes. Our attitudes are arrows which aim our behavior either towards manifesting a society of oneness or separation. A selfless attitude aims us in the direction of binding people together. A selfish one aims us to set people apart. These attitudes are contagious. They influence. Love inspires hearts to love. Self interest weaves sticky webs of self interest.

God encourages us to imitate His Oneness on our level by forming loving bonds of unity within our families, social groups, communities and across society at large. Love’s currency is kindness. Extending kindnesses, extends the “soul glue” which binds. With so much need out there, everyone can do a favor. Everyone can use a favor. 

Selfless acts of kindness can take on several forms. Among them are random acts of kindness, volunteer work or donations to the needy. Helping those in need can travel miles towards one’s own spiritual growth and healing a broken world. It matters not whether it’s with an organization or as an individual. What counts is to re-glue and new-glue the frayed fabric of humanity.

Society typically offers accepted modes of spiritual connection, such as: attending places of worship, engaging in devotional studies and settling into meditation. All of these practices are designed as engines of spiritual growth and healing. However, in tandem with these practices, likely the most powerful engine of spiritual growth across humanity at large is simply to engage in selfless acts of kindness. Such behavior glues us together as a oneness on earth. So, we’re aligned with God’s own Oneness and can manifest abundant flows of blessings in all areas of life.

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