5780 Chanukah Day 5 — Or Brachot — Sitting in the Light of Blessings

The Power of the Spirit
Meditations for the Days of Chanukah
Sitting in the Lights that Echo from the Beginning of Creation
 
Chanukah Day 5
Or Brachot   Sitting in the Light of Blessings

Blessings abound. Even in the turmoil, even amid all the brokenness, blessings abound. Life is filled with treasures. Loving relationships, joyful moments, music, poetry, art, the magnificence of the natural world. Goodness is present. Noticing the blessings and allowing ourselves to experience the good strengthens and sustains us. It gives us energy, inspires the spirit and readies us to meet well whatever life brings.

On this fifth day of Chanukah we sit in the light of blessings, not to deny what is difficult, but rather to be supported and encouraged by the good that exists.
 
We take our seats, settle into an awake and upright posture and bring the attention to the breath. With gentle awareness we notice the breath moving through the body. After a few minutes we set an intention to receive each breath as a blessing, a gift that flows through us and all life. As we watch the breath move through the body, it might help to repeat the phrase: Each breath is a blessing and I give thanks.

Every time we notice the attention has wandered, we give thanks for noticing and return the attention to the breath, repeating the phrase: Each breath is a blessing and I give thanks. As we finish the meditation we bring awareness to blessings in our lives and offer gratitude.
 
—Rabbi Yael
29 Kislev 5780

  We are grateful to offer resources for Chanukah. Read the introduction to the daily teachings.
  You can find Blessings and Intentions for the lighting of candles for each night of Chanukah on our website:   Lifting up the Lights: Chanukah in Challenging Times Shining the Lights: Sending Forth the Good   If you are looking for a Chanukah gift for a friend or family member, please consider my book: Directing the Heart: Weekly Mindfulness Teachings and Practices from the Torah. Learn more and purchase.   I will write a personal note to all those who receive the book as a gift. Send your name and the name and address of the recipient of the gift to me at rabbiyael@awayin.org and I will send a Chanukah card with a photo and psalm verse to them.
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