Chanukah Day 8 Sitting in the Light of Chen — Grace

Chanukah Day 8 Sitting in the Light of Chen — Grace

The mystics teach that the flames of Chanukah echo from the beginning of creation and send forth lights of  chen — grace — pure love, freely given. There is nothing we need to do to earn this love, there is no one else we need to be to be the recipients of this love. The light of grace, pure love, freely given, is core of creation and flows to all. To sit in this light is to be embraced and renewed by infinite graciousness and compassion. On this eighth day of Chanukah, let us imagine what the world would be like if this light was received.

Meditation for the 8th day of Chanukah  
Taking our seats, we welcome the eighth day of Chanukah and set an intention to sit in the light of chen. With the attention on the breath, we visualize light surrounding us. We imagine ourselves held and embraced by light. With each breath the light arrives, carrying grace, pure love, freely given. With each breath, we let ourselves be held and loved. As we notice our attention wandering, we breathe light into the arising thought and return our attention to being held and embraced by love. If we find ourselves struggling with receiving the lights of chen, we gently say to ourselves, each of us is worthy, each of us is loved. We close the sit by giving thanks and saying the first line of the final paragraph of the Amida:  Place upon all beings peace, well-being, blessing, life, love, grace and compassion.