|
|
March 12, 2004/Adar 19 5764, Vol. 56, No. 25
Connecting with the spirit
JENNIFER GOLDBERG
Staff Writer
In our fast-paced world, people sometimes need to be taught how to take a breath, relax and connect with something greater than themselves, says Rabbi Ayla Grafstein of Ruach Hamidbar-Spirit of The Desert.
To that end, Ruach Hamidbar, along with several other Valley Jewish entities, are bringing Jewish meditation and kabbalah experts to town for workshops that teach these ancient arts.
"We're trying to learn how to slow down, create more meaning and more time, and appreciate what life is all about," Grafstein comments. "These practices, I think, are instrumental in helping people bring that into their lives."
The next event, "Dip Into Miriam's Well: Kabbalistic Healing for Self, Others and the World," will take place Sunday, March 21, at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. The workshop is jointly sponsored by the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, the Bureau of Jewish Education, Ruach Hamidbar, and Temple Chai's Shalom Center.
Melinda Ribner, the New York-based Jewish meditation expert who will be leading the workshop, describes Jewish meditation as the focusing of the mind and the opening of the heart to expand consciousness and gain access to the soul. She is the director and founder of Beit Miriam, an international network promoting spiritual growth through kabbalistic meditation.
Kabbalah, a mystical branch of Jewish learning that has become more popular as of late due to high-profile adherents such as Madonna and Britney Spears, is divided into three parts, according to Ribner.
She says, "There is theoretical kabbalah, which explains the mysteries of God, creation and Torah. There is meditative kabbalah, which reveals the meditative techniques to obtain high levels of spiritual awareness. And there is practical kabbalah, which illuminates the techniques and practices to achieve particular goals and objectives in the physical world."
Attendees of "Dip into Miriam's Well" will learn breathing, prayer and meditation techniques, including specific ways to pray and meditate to promote healing for themselves and others, says Ribner.
"There'll be some guided meditation, there'll be some singing, there'll be some teaching, and there'll be questions and answers and sharing," she says.
The title for the workshop comes from the biblical story of Miriam, Moses' sister.
"It was due to her merit that there was a well of water that traveled with the Jewish people when they were in the desert," says Ribner. "Miriam is also representative of Jewish women's spirituality, which is different than masculine spirituality. I am also a teacher in the footsteps of Miriam, bringing down the feminine teachings of Judaism." Despite this, Ribner is quick to add that the workshop is beneficial for both men and women.
Grafstein reports that attendance at the jointly sponsored meditation and kabbalah events such as "Dip Into Miriam's Well" continues to grow. On Feb. 15, a kabbalah workshop with Dr. Beth Hedva attracted more than 40 people, and Ribner's workshop is expected to draw more than 50 people. She adds that the collaboration between several aspects of the Jewish community is a strong benefit to community interest in such programs.
"It's put together in a very supportive way," she says. "People know at least one of these organizations, so it lends a lot of stability and makes it more attractive."
Grafstein is excited that topics like Jewish meditation and kabbalah are finally finding an audience in the Valley and that outlets for learning are becoming more prevalent.
"I think a lot of things that were once considered far out are becoming mainstream, and it's very encouraging to see this. Even in Reform and Con-servative congregations, it wouldn't be out of the ordinary to see a healing group or some form of meditation going on already, either in the service or in a class," she says. "I think our community is going to see more and more of this in different locations and they're going to be able to get what they need right around the corner."
Details
- What: "Dip Into Miriam's Well: Kabbalistic Healing for Self, Others and the World"
- When: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, March 21
- Where: Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
- Cost: $36 in advance, $54 at the door. Mail checks to Spirit of the Desert, 8214 E. Appaloosa Trail, Scottsdale 85258.
- Call: 602-420-1700
|
