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Session Eight
Hasidism

Attachment to God	The goal of most Hasidic teachings is "dveykus" (or "deveykut" in Israeli pronunciation): being attached to God. Dveykus can manifest itself in different ways, intellectual, emotional or meditative; often, it has to do with a state of consciousness in which everything is permeated with an awareness of the beautiful and loving divine presence. Hasidic teachers gave great attention to the how-to of dveykus, and their teachings and stories add up to a kind of instruction manual. The teachings and stories emphasize that nothing should get in the way of dveykus -- not even religion. If you find that Torah study, for example, is getting you all caught up in your own mind and distracting you from awareness of God, take a break from studying! Some of the great Rebbes [spiritual masters] would have a disciple sitting beside them when they were studying, to immediately interrupt them if it seemed that they were forgetting God.		Rebbe Naftali of Ropschitz never worked miracles. A paralyzed man had his friends lay him down on the path the Rebbe would be walking on. Rebbe Naftali saw someone blocking his path and gave him a kick. The paralytic jumped up and ran. When Reb Naftali found out he'd worked a miracle, he was so embarrassed he didn't go out for three days.
	According to Hasidic teachings, everybody has to find the path that works for them. But here are some possible practices that may help in getting to dveykus, taken from different Hasidic teachings. All of them are based on the key awareness that God is the source of everything and everything is part of God. Spend time in nature. Go to the mikveh often; a river or lake is as good if not better than a mikveh in a building. (The practice of mikveh is to strip completely naked and immerse yourself so that the water covers you completely. Summer is the best time for it!) On Shabbat, wear white clothes. When you pray (especially by yourself when you don't have to worry about disturbing others) put your whole body into it -- swaying, running, dancing, shouting, singing. Take time for visualizations in which you journey into the higher worlds; you might meet departed relatives, or distant ancestors, or angels. (This kind of "soul-ascent" was an important practice of the early Rebbes.) When you eat, say the blessing with the awareness that it awakens the presence of God in the food. Eat with the awareness that the taste of the food in particular is the presence of God in it (as it says in the Psalms, "taste and see that God is good".) Repeat a "mantra" such as "Shiviti HaShem l'negdi tamid" ("I have set God before me always") or "Ribbono shel olam" ("Master of the World", an affectionate colloquial way of referring to God) or "Harachaman" ("the Compassionate One"), during time set aside for meditation, or all day long. Try to trace everything to its source. Example: if you see a tough-looking person or a big dog and feel afraid, remember that the source of fear is the awe of God, whose power keeps the universe alive, and meditate on that awe. If you're trying to pray or meditate and you're distracted by sexual fantasies, remember that the source of your desires is in God's beauty and love and open your consciousness to that divine love and beauty. (From the Baal Shem Tov) Ask God for absolutely everything you need, even the smallest thing. Example: you can't find your bus ticket -- ask God to help you find it! Each time you experience pleasure or something happens that you appreciate, thank God for it, even for the smallest things. Take an hour by yourself every day. [Some people think that nowadays twenty minutes may be the most anyone can manage, and that will do.] If possible spend it outside, among trees and growing things. Spend the time talking to God in your own words about whatever is in your heart. (From Rebbe Nachman of Breslov) [WARNING: This is the central practice of Breslov Hasidism, which is said to be especially suitable for people coping with mood swings. My own limited experience is that it is a powerful practice but tends to produce mood swings.] If you feel an impulse to pray or meditate, do it -- right away, wherever you are. (From Rebbe Nachman of Breslov)
	Rebbe Nachman of Breslov said: there is truth, the truth of the truth, and peace. Truth is: a kid stole an apple. The truth of the truth is: the kid was hungry. Peace is: Nobody stole anything; give the kid an apple! (Heard from Reb Shlomo Carlebach)