The Spiritual Foundations of Mental Health

There is a special wisdom available to us in a moment of stuckness.  Are we open to asking, What is the next small good choice I can make?

There is a bully within whose penchant to take credit for our results simultaneously creates despair and shame in the places where we lack results.  This bully arouses judgment of ourselves and those around us and crowds out humility, creativity, and connection.

Both our inner and outer worlds are spaces designed to reveal something of our essence.  What if we are busy judging or resisting those worlds?

There is a corner of the universe called "me" in which I get a front row view of the darkness of this world.  I'm entrusted with the task of bringing there light.  How does that work?

Both with our children and with the kid within us, when we can communicate values from a place of equilibrium, we provide a space for the kid to be responsive and influenced.  This is authority and it draws the child higher.  

Our imperfect efforts are designed not to create results but to be permeable to Divine insight and power.

How Elul/gratitude leads to the 10 Days of Tshuva/fear to Sukkot/love and healthy vulnerability - with such unbelievable opportunity!

There is no possible evidence in this world - not our past, our moods, our present habits - that can suggest we lack unconditional access to the wisdom with which to navigate our lives with hope, meaning, and contentment.  Thinking otherwise brings to exhaustion.

It's a wonderful thing to have a time/space/activity that feels easy and peaceful.  What if it doesn't seem portable to the rest of my life?

Jewish wisdom lists two different reasons for the loss of the 2nd Temple.  The Talmud lists intolerance and baseless hatred.  The Torah verse itself lists lack of joy in serving our Creator.  What's at the root of this seeming contradiction?