|
|
             
|
Yocheved's Chant Class Summer 2008 Ohabei Shalom, Brookline August 2008 This July, Yocheved Katz taught a sold out class at Temple Ohebi Shalom, Brookline. This is what some of her students said about, Silent Meditation and Contemplative Chant: The class was a powerful opportunity to deepen our spiritual practice within sacred community. Teachings arose each week out of an aspect of one of the four worlds as described in Kabbalah: Asiya--the world of the body, sensation, action; Yetzira--the world of formation, emotion, heart opening; Briya--the world of creation, thought, clarity; Aztilut--beyond duality, merging with the Divine. The weekly Torah portions and the three weeks leading to Tisha b'Av ("Nachamu, nachamu ami) provided an additional matrix of support and challenges. Our three contemplative practices of chant, silence, and I-Thou dyads created a fertile balance between ecstatic practice, meditation, thoughtful speech, and silent listening to the other. It felt like a privilege to return week after week to each other, to quiet, and to fresh insights. Participants wrote what they liked best about the class: Chanting...chanting...chanting...opportunity for growth was sensational...the balance of teaching, music/chant, meditation, and class participation/sharing. You challenged me to think outside my "box". It was nurturing and helpful...The teacher's voice, calm, intelligent, and kind...chanting followed by silence, I-Thou dyads, chants sheets including Hebrew...teacher's clarity and presence, living what she teaches...readings from Rabbi Shefa Gold, Norman Fischer...chanting...chanting! One class participant said, "I was moved by the enthusiasm for exploring the many aspects of chanting and silence. The commitment to attend a 4-week class led to the creation of a community based on our chanting and sharing. Many participants hope there will be a follow up class. "
|
|
© Nishmat Hayyim 2007-. All rights reserved |
| Site design by: WebEditor Design Services |