Chanukah 2015

Each of us has an innate ability to pull together the ostensibly unrelated parts of something into one integrated idea:

Look at the fabric artist who sews together plain looking scraps of cloth to form a captivating quilt. Or the mosaic artist who gathers bits of ceramic, glass or other found pieces and fashions a fountain, floor or framed wall piece. Musicians arrange random notes into mesmerizing melodies and rhythms. Those tunes call out to us, insisting we tap our feet and hours later we are still humming a song.  And consider the storyteller, whose unique talent is in the joining of ordinary words, and in so doing, describes scenes or interactions in a way that delights our mind's eye.

Even our greatest leaders or negotiators are conjoiners.  They transcend perspectives that, at first glance, seem disparate and oppositional.  Soon we find ourselves inspired to listen more compassionately, find compromise, and move forward in unity.   Under their guidance, our own transformation can feel miraculous!

Our ancient teachers recognized that the process of 'bringing together' applied to our inner world -- to the exploration of our soul -- calling it Oneness or Yoga. Generations have inherited the opportunity to have a spiritual experience by seeing our world in a more unified way.   The process of bringing together can imbue our lives with purpose and give us great joy.

Where are you drawn to the process of connecting in your life?  Are you a creator? -- a Friday evening florist designing the perfect bouquet with an unexpected mix of flowers or maybe a home chef who balances diverse flavors, colors and textures?  An explorer? -- does your inner philosopher or scientist-self enjoy the synthesis of individual facts into theory as you go about your day? A mindful observer? -- someone who practices uncovering the root idea from which two sides have grown? ?  A healer? --can you listen to another viewpoint and find commonality? Can you make peace by softening the edges of conflict among colleagues or family members?

This year we invite you to consider what you will bring into the months ahead, and more importantly, how you will bring it.  May we all gather together with purpose, kindness and joy, and may we bring those blessings to all we meet.