RTE 564 Wise Activism
There is nothing so natural in the human experience as the rhythm of the breath: inhalation, exhalation, inhalation, exhalation. This is echoed in the filling and emptying of the chambers of the heart and, but also in the waxing and waning of the moon; in the changing of the seasons; in the upwelling and submergence of tectonic plates on the earth's surface. This rhythm is present in human culture, too. We recognize it in the activity of the week and the rest of Shabbat; in the dynamism of the day and its prayers, and the slowing experienced at night; in the emergence of creative communities around the world, and their decline, to only see new centers of life and creativity appear. Why should our activism be any different? In our time together, we will investigate the place of contemplative practice in our work for social justice and a vibrant Jewish community. Our direct experience through practice will be linked to contemporary articles on contemplation and activism, as well as classical sources (primarily from the Hasidic corpus). (Quad IV only).