Like many of you I have taken to minimizing my exposure to the daily new cycle. It started with the second Trump victory. The realization that America had voted , not once but twice for this unfortunate suffering soul frankly broke off a medium sized piece of my heart. In the last few days I have broken my vow of news abstinence and I took the time to listen to a CBC podcast, Front Burner. Well done, thoughtful and well hosted. The topic, as it almost always is, was Trump. This time the existential threat he now poses to all of the America's and frankly the world after he bombed Venezuela, kidnapped the President and declared that he was going to steal their oil , fourth largest reserves in the world, and "run the country." By the end of the second episode of the week I found myself feeling overwhelmed, terrified and alone. So, as a Spiritual Director who counsels people, helping them to cultivate their wisdom and fan the flame of soulful living what am I to do. In the Jewish tradition there arises the concept of what we call, Tikkun Olam. Repair of the world. Many who care form social action committees, host panels and and occasionally take to th streets in protest. From the outside looking in it can seem like a nice to have not a need to have. Does it change anything? Sometimes, maybe. I know, I'm not exactly singing the praises of the march to freedom. Here's why: I believe that before we can have the gobal repair of Tikkun Olam we must cultivate Tikkun Ha'Nefesh. Repair of the soul. If my heart is filled with hate for those I see as my enemy,. If my mouth is spewing vitriol then I am in conflict with the basic challenge found many times in te Old Testament and beyond. For the Jew, Christian, Buddhist, Humanist, well, for all spiritual paths, we are compelled to love the stranger. Not just the innocent refugee fleeing war and dispossession, but remarkably, the oppressor as well. At the core of every being there is an in-corruptible flame of love and compassion. Not a need to be loved, a love to be shared. Hate breeds hate , love the opposite. We are in need of of a revolution. but that doesn't mean we justify the means, violent as they can be by claiming a noble end. Yes, we are destroying the gifts of Mother Earth. Yes, the tyrants roam freely. but our revolution must begin within our sacred selves. Oh, and yes we can gather and mobilize, activate the best in ourselves and resist and educate. One does not preclude the other. In my work as a Spiritual Director, I am a companion, sometimes guide and always deep listener. Renewed purpose, insight and a few good laughs.
Reach me at ralphbenmergui.ca
Aleph Canada.ca Podcast - Not That Kind of Rabbi with Ralph Benmergui
The Revolution will be internalized.