Dov Peretz Elkins - Meditations for the Days of Awe: Reflections, Guided Imagery and Other Creative Exercises to Enrich Your Spiritual Life

Meditations for the
Days of Awe

Reflections, Guided
Imagery and Other
Creative Exercises to
Enrich Your Spiritual
Life

DOV PERETZ ELKINS

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2018 Dov Peretz Elkins. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/27/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-4818-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-4817-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018907437

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

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Web Site: www.JewishGrowth.org

To Shira and Dany

Whoso loves, believes the impossible.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I have sought to come near you, I have called to you with all my heart; and when I went out toward you I found you coming toward me.

Yehudah Halevi

There is a law in psychology that if you form a picture in your mind of what you would like to be, and you keep and hold that picture there long enough, you will soon become exactly as you have been thinking.

William James (1842-1910)

Your old shall dream dreams,

Your young shall see visions.

Joel 3:1

Books by Dov Peretz Elkins

http://www.jewishgrowth.org/cgi-bin/books.cgi?action=catalog

Simple Actions for Jews to Help Green the Planet

Jewish Stories From Heaven and Earth

Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul

Sidrah Sparks: Talking Torah at the Table with Your Family

The Wisdom of Judaism: An Introduction to the Values of the Talmud

Rosh Hashanah Readings

Yom Kippur Readings

The Bibles Top 50 Ideas (with Abigail Treu)

A Shabbat Reader

Moments of Transcendence: RH

Moments of Transcendence YK

Jewish Guided Imagery

Forty Days of Transformation

Meditations for the Days of Awe

Shepherd of Jerusalem

Moments of the Spirit: Quotations to Inspire, Inform & Involve

In the Spirit: Insights for Renewal in the 21 st Century

Enveloped in Light: A Tallit Sourcebook

The Tallit

Rejoice With Jerusalem

A Treasury of Thoughts on Israel and Zionism

New and Old Prayers & Readings for High Holy Days

The Eulogy Book

For Those Left Behind: Jewish Anthology of Comfort

Four Rabbis At Lunch: Intimate Conversations Among American Clergy

So Young To Be A Rabbi

Prescription for a Long and Happy Life

A Tradition Reborn: Sermons and Essays

Humanizing Jewish Life

My Seventy-Two Friends: Encounters with Refuseniks in the USSR

Gods Warriors: Dramatic Adventures of Rabbis in Uniform

Clarifying Jewish Values

Jewish Consciousness Raising

Experiential Programs for Jewish Groups

Loving My Jewishness

Teaching People to Love Themselves

Glad To Be Me: Building Self-Esteem in Yourself and Others

Twelve Pathways to Feeling Better About Yourself

Self Concept Sourcebook

Translations

(original Hebrew books by Simcha Raz)

Hasidic Wisdom (with Jonathan Elkins)

Melodies From My Father's House

The Torahs Seventy Faces

Tales of the Righteous

Heart and Scroll

Loving and Beloved: Tales of Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev

The Holy Brothers: Rabbi Zusha and Rabbi Elimelekh of Lizhensk

Books for Teens

(both books with Azriel Eisenberg)

Worlds Lost and Found: Discoveries in Biblical Archeology

Treasures From the Dust: Biblical Archeology

Childrens Book

Seven Delightful Stories for Every Day (ages 3 to 6)

Several people were kind enough to read the manuscript in various stages of preparation. Some of their suggestions were incorporated and have enriched the volume, its design and content. Responsibility for mistakes or other imperfections lies solely with the author.

Special appreciation is extended to Wendy Young, Dr. Mel Silberman zl, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, and Rabbi Goldie Milgram.

Spirituality is Subjective

In spiritual work, words like meditation, guided imagery, and reflection resonate differently in different minds and from different perspectives.

I have struggled to categorize the following pieces in separate categories - some as meditations, some as guided imagery exercises, and some as prayers or reflections. After consulting with colleagues, and re-reading the material many times, I have concluded that each reading/exercise can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the practitioner.

With minor modifications, a reading may be used alone at home or in a park, in a group or havurah, or in a formal worship setting. In other words, the readings can be utilized individually or in a group, in private or public venues. Each reader or leader may decide how best to maximize the effect of the experience.

The order of readings follows, as far as possible, the chronology of the High Holy Days, as well as the sequence of the Mahzor. This seemed to make the most sense for finding, using and arranging the pieces presented. Others might have made different choices, but spiritual work is very subjective, and what works for one rarely works exactly the same way for another.

It is my fervent hope and prayer that these reflections, in whatever way or form they may be used, will help the user to find deeper meaning and heightened spiritual renewal in their quest for a richer life, a stronger sense of community, and a closer connection to the Creator.

Suggestions for Use

1) Three dots means a brief pause; the word pause indicates a longer pause.

2) Any meditations, guided imagery or prayer is best experienced in a state of physical relaxation, emotional calm and spiritual tranquillity.

Don't be concerned if you can't achieve these states right away. They take time, and will be useful in whatever state you are in.

3) Some ways people have found to become more serene and receptive to the power of spiritual exercises are :

a) let your eyes close partly or completely

b) uncross your legs and arms

c) breathe slowly and deeply

d) take a minute to relax before you begin the experience.

e) sometimes soft music in the background aids the relaxation process and psychological receptivity.

4) The reading may be directed by a group leader (rabbi, teacher, facilitator) in a synagogue, school, or home setting, alone or in a group. It may also be used by recording it on a cassette recorder and play it, or by having a friend or family member read it aloud.

5) Relax. Don't judge yourself by thinking you may not be doing it right. There is no wrong way to use these meditations. Let your imagination be free.

Dov Peretz Elkins

Princeton, New Jersey