The following guided meditation comes from member Danny Brown, that closed our 5780 Annual Membership Meeting.
As Jews we like to talk about how we have the luxury of 4 new years throughout the calendar - 4 moments engrained into the flow of the year to start anew. Rosh HaShanah, the new year of years. Tu BiShvat, The new year of the trees. The 1st of Nisan, the new year for rulers. And the 1st of Elul, the new year for the tithing of cattle.
Well, in 2020 United States of America, we are so blessed to have a 5th - The new fiscal year. Having nonprofit status has built into our community's structure two major things to happen around the time of the fiscal year - one, we say goodbye to outgoing Board members and welcome new ones. Two, we have our annual membership voting meeting where we make decisions. And so, it becomes a beat in our year, a moment to reflect on the past, and look forward to the future.
I'm going to take you through a guided reflection. I invite you to find an object on your body or in the room. Pick something that meets these 2 requirements: 1. You've had it for at least a year, and 2. You don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. Now that you've found it, close your eyes if you wish. I also invite you to turn off your video for privacy. I will start with 5 deep breaths and then begin.
Remember, how did you first acquire this object.
Notice how the object looks - the shapes, the colors.
How does the object feel in your hands when you touch it?
Consider the way you engage with this object, how do you use it?
How has this object impacted your life in the past year plus?
Maybe if you're feeling grateful for this object right now, take a moment to acknowledge that.
Life has the potential to change at a moment's notice. And for all of us this year, things have changed drastically. But in contrast, the object that you have meditated on, and many other objects around you, have likely stayed pretty much the same.
And when we look forward to the future, life remains uncertain, especially right now. And yet, there will ALWAYS be sources of stillness that we can clutch onto. Whether it's your wedding ring, your favorite t-shirt, or the dinky lamp you bought from Goodwill.
Psalm 18 speaks of Hashem being a rock, a fortress, a place of refuge, a shield, a stronghold. As we look back on the previous year and look forward to the next one, I invite you to notice the sources of stillness around you. Remember that they will be with you, and that no matter what is happening around you, they remain steady. May days of stillness and peace come quickly our way. Keni yehi ratzon.