the best time to be alone | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 8299431 United States 04/28/2012 12:40 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
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Anonymous Coward User ID: 15209984 Brazil 04/28/2012 12:49 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | There are certainly worthy people who do not practice Hitbodedut [the practice of making oneself alone]. But I call them confused. When the Messiah suddenly comes and calls them, they will be disoriented and confused. Quoting: tarfonwxx But those who practice Hitbodedut will be like a person who wakes up from a restful sleep with a calm, settled mind. This is how we will be when Messiah comes: our minds will be calm and settled, without panic or confusion. Oh, this is a good one. I had some good quality solitude last night and the airwaves were certainly busy. There was much to process. ------ me too, bowman. talk about a dark night of the soul So did I. Yesterday was a special day. |
tarfonwxx (OP) User ID: 14988183 Israel 04/28/2012 01:01 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | STILLNESS IN MOVEMENT The soul of man is like the flame of a candle (Proverbs 20:27), whose nature it is always to flicker upwards; for the flame of fire intrinsically seeks to part from the wick that holds it, and to unite with its source above — in the universal element of Fire in the higher spheres. |
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Anonymous Coward User ID: 15208877 Ireland 04/28/2012 01:07 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | STILLNESS IN MOVEMENT The soul of man is like the flame of a candle (Proverbs 20:27), whose nature it is always to flicker upwards; for the flame of fire intrinsically seeks to part from the wick that holds it, and to unite with its source above — in the universal element of Fire in the higher spheres. That's cool . |
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tarfonwxx (OP) User ID: 14988183 Israel 04/28/2012 01:14 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | * in the passages below midnight refers to the halfway point between sunset and sunrise * Rabbi Nachman of Breslov taught: “One’s main service is to arise at midnight and stay up until the morning” (Sichot HaRan 301). The Baal Shem Tov said that one hour of the midnight service is worth many hours of divine service during the day. The Tikuney Zohar states that when one recites Tikkun Chatzot, the Midnight Rectification, “a supernal string of chesed is drawn for the entire day.” “At around midnight (ka-chatzot), I will go into Egypt...” (Exodus 11:4) This is the special, unique, most precious moment when ‘I’--the intrinsic Divine essence--shines forth. King David was careful to never ever sleep at this most esteemed moment, when he would arise and cleave to the Shekhinah (indwelling divine presence). At midnight, God enters the Garden of Eden, and gathers with the souls of the righteous to listen to the voice of one who is up singing, praying, and learning at that time. (Zohar) Chatzot (midnight) is a portal to the next world. King David's harp began to play when the north blew upon it exactly at midnight. By means of the midnight-meditation, one can link to the transcendental, elevate, and liberate themselves from materialism by means of midnight-meditation (Rebbe Nachman) During the first part of the night the negative forces reign (Zohar). It is not a time to try and actively draw kedushah (holiness). The best thing to do then is sleep. Instead, most of the world has become used to staying up the first part of the night, going to sleep just at the best time of day! People are raised into this habit from youth. One who wants to do things the right way is stuck, finding it difficult to change the order that his system is used to. Prayer is above nature and can accomplish miracles. This includes helping us to change the cycles, order, and balance that the body is used to. In order to align with the order of the “supernal metabolism,” one might need to change the order of the physical counterpart. Prayer can come to save the day and make this also happen. “Chatzot” means to split. It divides the night, which is din/judgment, and reveals the inner chesed/love that lies at the heart of the din. Getting up at midnight itself intrinsically negates the dark/night/obstacles between mind and heart. Using the time for serving Hashem furthers the tikkun. This is the deeper meaning of the destruction of the Temple, which is mourned over in the midnight benedication--the separation between mind and heart. |
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Eazy D User ID: 1326518 United States 04/28/2012 01:17 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Thank you for this thread! That video was wonderful, too. I have to make a conscientious effort to do this--be alone with God. But I try and practice it while I walk, while I am studying, etc. When I actually sit, and talk to God without any intrusion; sometimes with music on to get my mind relaxed--my days are SO much more fulfilling. Now that it is getting warmer I hope that I can find the self-control to go out each night and converse with my beloved Creator. Thank you friend! |
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Zephyr2 User ID: 5669091 United States 04/28/2012 01:18 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Beautiful thread....I love to get up in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning when it's still dark out....it's so quiet. I will take it further with your suggestions...thanks. "Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." ~Calvin & Hobbs~ |
tarfonwxx (OP) User ID: 14988183 Israel 04/28/2012 01:24 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Thank you for this thread! Quoting: Eazy D That video was wonderful, too. I have to make a conscientious effort to do this--be alone with God. But I try and practice it while I walk, while I am studying, etc. When I actually sit, and talk to God without any intrusion; sometimes with music on to get my mind relaxed--my days are SO much more fulfilling. Now that it is getting warmer I hope that I can find the self-control to go out each night and converse with my beloved Creator. Thank you friend! glad you liked it you're absolutely right - life's a movie and we can live it better by going behind the scenes every once in a while ;) here is part 2 if you're interested: Last Edited by tarfonwxx on 04/28/2012 01:24 PM |
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sTTsTTT User ID: 9433396 United States 04/28/2012 01:42 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | STILLNESS IN MOVEMENT The soul of man is like the flame of a candle (Proverbs 20:27), whose nature it is always to flicker upwards; for the flame of fire intrinsically seeks to part from the wick that holds it, and to unite with its source above — in the universal element of Fire in the higher spheres. I remember this proverb! Didn't know it was from the Book of Proverbs. Thank you Apocalypse: All shall be revealed. And all shall be revealed. ******* All Human Beings are Human. Not all Humans are Human Beings. ******* |
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tarfonwxx (OP) User ID: 14988183 Israel 04/28/2012 01:44 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | STILLNESS IN MOVEMENT The soul of man is like the flame of a candle (Proverbs 20:27), whose nature it is always to flicker upwards; for the flame of fire intrinsically seeks to part from the wick that holds it, and to unite with its source above — in the universal element of Fire in the higher spheres. I remember this proverb! Didn't know it was from the Book of Proverbs. Thank you actually, the original is even better - the soul of man is GOD'S CANDLE |
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Anonymous Coward User ID: 4364407 United States 04/28/2012 02:00 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I used to practice "stillness in motion through t'ai chi. Now I seek more of an inner stillness, looking to the light within. I highly recommend the litlle booklet, A Guide to True Peace" , gleaned from the writings of Francois Feaelon, Madame Jeanne Guyon, and Miguel de Molinos. You can find it for about $3 at some book stores or read and/or download it for free here: [link to www.hallvworthington.com] Thanks for the post, OP. Good thoughts |
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tarfonwxx (OP) User ID: 14988183 Israel 04/28/2012 02:05 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | If at times you find yourself unable to speak to God or even open your mouth, the very fact that you are there before Him wanting and yearning to speak is itself very good. You can even turn your very inability to speak into a prayer. Tell God that you feel so far away that you cannot even speak to Him! Ask Him to have mercy on you and open your mouth to tell Him what you need. Many great and famous Tzaddikim have said that all their achievements came only through Hitbodedut. Anyone with understanding can recognize the supreme value of this practice, which ascends to the most sublime heights. This advice applies to everyone equally, from the very least to the very greatest. Everyone is capable of practicing it and can attain great levels. Happy are all who persist in it. |
tarfonwxx (OP) User ID: 14988183 Israel 04/28/2012 02:30 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | After heartbreak comes joy. Being happy later on is a true sign of having a broken heart. |
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Vlad Tepes User ID: 4409012 Romania 04/28/2012 03:54 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | In my view there are 2 sides to any religion. One is the side of doctrine and form of worship. The other is the side of meditation/prayer. Most worldly disagreements and disputes are over the first side, but I believe all those that get involved in meditation walk the same path. Because we're all human, the brain works the same and we start off from the same basic questions. Sol Dominvs Imperi Romani Imperium Romanum Sacrum In Varietate Concordia |
tarfonwxx (OP) User ID: 14988183 Israel 04/28/2012 03:59 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | In my view there are 2 sides to any religion. One is the side of doctrine and form of worship. The other is the side of meditation/prayer. Most worldly disagreements and disputes are over the first side, but I believe all those that get involved in meditation walk the same path. Because we're all human, the brain works the same and we start off from the same basic questions. Quoting: Vlad Tepes the exoteric parts of religion are what's visible; the esoteric are inside all of them and knowable only be experience.. "The King is in his palace, and his subjects are partly within the city and partly outside the city. Of those who are within the city, some have turned their backs upon the palace, their faces being turned another way. Others seek to reach the palace, turn toward it, and desire to enter it and to stand before him, but up to now they have not yet seen the palace gates. Some of those who seek to reach it have come up to the palace and walked around it searching for its gate. Some of them have entered the gate and walked about in the antechambers. Some of them have entered the inner court of the habitation and have come to be with the king, in one and the same place with him, namely, in the ruler's habitation. But their having come into the inner part of the habitation does not mean that they see the ruler or speak to him. For after their coming into the inner part of the habitation, it is indispensable that they should make another effort; then they will be in the presence of the ruler, see him from afar, or from nearby, or hear the ruler's speech, or speak to him. ~ Those who are outside the city are all human individuals who have not engaged in speculation nor any authority of tradition. Those who are within the city, but have turned their backs upon the ruler's habitation, are people who have opinions and are engaged in speculation, but who have adopted incorrect opinions either errors in their speculation or because of they follow the authority of one who has fallen into error. Accordingly, because of these opinions, the more these people walk, the greater is their distance from the ruler's habitation. And they are far worse than the first. Those who seek to reach the ruler's habitation and enter it, but never see the ruler's habitation, are the multitude of the adherents of the Law, I refer to the ignoramuses who observe the commandments. Those who have come up to the habitation and walked around it are the jurists or logicians who believe true opinions on the basis of traditional authority and study the law concerning the practices of divine service, but do not engage in speculation concerning the fundamental principles of religion and make no inquiry whatever regarding the rectification of belief. Those who have plunged into speculation concerning the fundamental principles of religion, have entered the antechambers. He who has demonstrated to the extent possible, everything that may be demonstrated; and who has ascertained in divine matters, to the extent to which everything may be ascertained; and who has come close to certainty in matters in which one can only come close to it, has come to be with the ruler in the inner part of the habitation." ~ Maimonedes, Guide for the Perplexed Last Edited by tarfonwxx on 04/28/2012 04:01 PM |