Omer Week 3 - Entering the Heart Space of Tiferet
Let us welcome the week of Tiferet: Harmony, Beauty, Balance, Truth
Tiferet illuminates the magnificent harmony of the Infinite design,
In Tiferet’s light the interdependence of all is revealed,
Everything is relationship.
During this week we can often feel the heart’s yearning
To live into the beauty, harmony and mystery of life’s continual unfolding.
At times this yearning brings
Amazement, delight, wonder,
As we experience the magnificence of creation.
Other times the yearning opens us to tremendous grief
As we feel the pain and suffering of each other,
Of earth and all creatures.
Tiferet guides us to be spacious enough to be with the truth of all that is,
Present to joy, amazement, beauty,
And present with suffering, pain and devastation.
Soften your heart,
Expand your awareness, Tiferet calls,
So pain does not deny joy
And delights do not dismiss suffering.
Tiferet teaches that as we hold joys and sorrows together
Our hearts break open
Releasing a flow of Infinite Compassion
That helps us turn toward each other and find pathways of healing and peace.
For the sake of my siblings and friends, I will speak for peace.
For the sake of creation, I will act for the well-being for all.
Psalm 122:9
Meditation for Week of Tiferet
(Inspired by a teaching from friend and colleague Rabbi Mordechai Liebling)
We take our seats and gently take notice of the breath.
After a few minutes, we bring the attention to the heart space and feel the breath move through our chest and torso.
After a few moments, we imagine vibrating strings going out from our heart, reaching into the infinite universe, intertwining with the heartstrings of all people, all beings, all creation.
With each breath, we feel, we notice, our heart strings vibrating, intertwined with the heartstrings of all.
We continue to engage the imagination and see and feel our hearts as jewels in the web of connection. Our hearts are jewels, sacred, beautiful and connected by vibrating strings to the hearts of all.
Each time we notice the attention has wandered, we return the attention to the awareness of our own heart and the vibrating heartstrings that connect us all in beauty, harmony and love.
We close the sit with this prayer:
May all beings know compassion
May all beings know love
May all beings know healing
Questions for Reflection
What happens in my mind and body as I pause to notice beauty and give thanks?
What encourages compassion to rise in me?
What helps me soften my heart and not become overwhelmed?
What helps me return to balance?