Author: clfuu

“In my mind, there is a direct relationship between the healing of my body and the healing of the world. Where healing and peacemaking are one, they are the bridge between individual healing and the healing of the community. I do not ask for my healing without committing entirely to the healing of the other as the small possibilities of the healing of the world are sacred gifts extended to me as well. The world’s body. My body. The same. This is the very nature of healing.” -Deena Metzger

How do you know yourself as part of the world needing to be healed?

Sixteenth century Jewish mystic Isaac Luria told a story of creation in which God, in order to make room to create the world, stored divine light in earthen vessels. Some of these jars broke, and the light that they stored scattered with the broken pieces of clay.

In Luria’s account of creation, the goal of humankind was to gather the divinity scattered with these shards, and to separate this sacred light from the sharp, jagged pieces of brokenness. Luria named this goal tikkun olam, the repair of the world.

How do you participate in the healing of the world?

One of the difficult parts of healing from COVID-19 is that in many people, long after the virus is gone from our bodies, our brains struggle to return to health, remaining foggy. It is a pathway of healing that most of us are not used to – and it means we have to re-think our expectations for ourselves and others.
-Rev. Dr. Michael Tino (CLF)

How has the notion of “healing” changed for you since 2020?

Daily Compass returns after a prolonged period necessary for healing. It is a stretch, a reach, a challenge to move forward into the future while staying connected to our daily meditation tradition.

Tell us about a time you’ve returned to something after an absence. How did it feel? What was difficult about it?

“You may, with good reason, feel deep anger toward the enemy. This is the starting point from which you have to work, so acknowledge your hatred. Take note of your profound reluctance to turn this enemy into a friend. Remember that we can become twinned with an enemy and come to resemble that person. Our hatred may become an alter ego, a part of our identity. Try to wish for your enemy’s well-being and happiness; try to develop a sense of responsibility for your enemy’s pain. This is the supreme test of compassion. At first it may seem impossible.” -Karen Armstrong

Send lovingkindness thoughts to someone who has angered you. Start small and let your love grow.