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Mon Apr 12 10:43:21 EDT 2010

of how long we can get stuck in our narratives, even (or especially)
when they might be destructive to our serenity or our relationships
with God, humanity and the world. How long will we allow our anger,
hatred, pettiness, revenge, etc. to exist and control us? From a
non-judgmental point of view, I hesitate to label these emotions or
thoughts as wicked. For they are not inherently so. However, because
they lead us away from the unity wih God and others, then they are
wicked, in a sense.
In the Passover seder, when we read about the four children, the one
who is labeled "wicked/=D7=A8=D7=A9=D7=A2" is the one who separates themsel=
f from the
community. It has always seemed unfair to me that child is labeled as
wicked. However, in this moment I am borrowing from the teaching of
that text in order to say that I view the "wicked ones" in the psalm
not as people, but the thoughts, feelings, desires, and passions within
us that separate us from the world and from the Divine. But if the
wicked ones are not people, how and why are they rejoicing? And how do
we get them to stop?
I believe that these things that pull us away from a sense of unity and
connection have their root in our ego. The ego is that part of us that
tries to prevent connection to God and others and to instead focus only
on the self, or the illusion of self. Each time the ego and its
emissaries, the thoughts, feelings, etc. succeed in separating us from
God and the world and convinces us to focus only on ourselves and our
percieved needs, desires and passions, then it is as if they are
rejoicing. They are rejoicing because they have succeeded in their task.
But until when will the "wicked ones" exist? Until when will they
rejoice? The words "until when" are written twice because there are
different answers to each question. They will always exist. The ego and
the thoughts and beliefs it creates are always there within us. That is
why we always need to mindful and aware of their existence.
But how long will they be rejoicing? Until the moment when we recognize
them for what they are and let go of the stories they tell us. Until
the moment when we turn away from the self and turn towards unity and
God. When we do that, they cease rejoicing, for they have failed. Just
remember, that they are still there waiting for an opportunity to drag
us into their trap again.
And what is it that helps us in our quest to avoid the pitfalls of the
ego and keep ourselves connected? The answer is simple, and it is the
word that is at the center of the verse. God. It is the Divine within
us, the source of unity and connection to all, that gives us the
clarity of mind and the strength of spirit to turn away from ego and
separateness towards connection and unity. We each may have a different
definition of what God is or is not. But I believe that the essence of
God is the Divine energy that flows through all of humanity and the
entire created world that reminds us that all is One, everyone and
everything is connected. And that knowledge is what enables all of us
to truly rejoice in each moment.

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Posted By Rabbi Steven Nathan to Mindful Torah at 5/05/2010 05:29:00 PM
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