108. Mindfull

The "empty mind" I am not sure exists; however, the mind that is "overly" busy...even though our society take great pride in "multi-tasking" and being bombarded with data input.
I believe that quieting the mind allows us to LISTEN to the still small voice. Focusing the mind allows us to penetrate to the core of an issue.
Just some thoughts I hope I can share.

Seems to me that true meditation strengthens innocence and our natural inclination to goodness, and allows free will to occur. A torah-based life and community can protect and further strengthen goodness and free will. Isn't an 'empty mind' a necessary step toward teshuva (repentance)? Otherwise, the mind is being 'brain-washed' with ideas-regardless of the source- that lack free will? There are people who are outwardly religious, but because they lack the free choice that is born from a free mind, there are Gd forbid destructive consequences. Gd gave us 'free will', but this can only be exercised with a free mind- like the exodus story of our 40 year sojourn in the desert (emptiness) has taught us.

is mindfulness. The mindfulness of the Jewish covenant and it's sages.

The other houses of faith tend to lead with the heart over and against the mind.

I'm sure you have heard of Jon Stewart, the host of the TV show, 'The Daily Show'?

Tomorrow he is leading a march in Washington, D.C. to 'restore sanity' amongst the people; to raise a greater level of rationality in public life (and in particular, the body politic).

Perhaps, Rabbi Freeman, from your viewpoint, it would be much better if he weren't doing this in the middle of Shabbos.

Why is he doing this then, having a march on Washington in the middle of Shabbos when he is a Jew?

Is being an observant Jew against reason and sanity?

Are the practices of observant Judaism really to bind people to the irrational and senseless?

What if they are really to the opposite effect, to assist and empower the Jew in question (you guessed it) in-

restoring sanity and reason to this broken world of ours?

Good shabbos!

think a thought and it is yours.
Repeat your though to someone and it is up for dispute.

Hi,
When I first read yesterday's posting I was really offended because I have been diagnosed with Bio-chemical depression and felt this was blaming the person who through no fault of their own has this disease.
However, I let this sink in for a while, and prayed on it. What i came out thinking was that depression is being self destructive if we don't take care of it. It does take us down to places of darkness.
Thank you for posting this and making me think and taking action so my depression does not consume me.

What I meant to say is , empty thought invite other empty thoughts that if your prone to decline toward negatism some horrid thoughts may come knocking .
You dont have to invite them in and dwell on death...but , rather dwell in the light of G-d's Holy Words, Delight yourselves in the L-rd and He will give you Delights of your heart..Himself..more glorious thoughts that are foundational and wont go away...eternal...

It is correct we must always think good thoughts, however there must be room in our hearts and minds for these thoughts. Everything above has a counterpart below, and like G-d created a "space" within Him for creation to exist, we must create space in our hearts and minds for good thoughts and wisdom to exist. We must partially empty ourselves of worldly thoughts and desires, alllowing wisdom (Chochmah) to fill us from above, for everything is created with wisdom. Our prays and good thoughts from our earhly plane (Malchut), with then raise to unite with Chochmah and Binad to create understanding, and the descent of blessing from above. You must create space for creation and good thought, and then everything else will follow!

If you are lucky enough to grow up with a good family then this will come naturally. If you are challenged then you need to move to be around good people.