Rabbi Mark’s Blog: Thoughtlessness | Thoughtfulness | Mindfulness

We all know what it’s like to be thoughtless at times. We’re rushing, we’re pressed, we’re tired, we’re annoyed, and we do whatever it is that we are doing without thinking about what we’re doing. Not so good.

And we know what it’s like to act thoughtfully. We’re thinking about what we’re doing, considering our actions, remembering what led up this, imagining where it might go from here. Much better.

Mindfulness is something else again. It’s not being “thoughtless” although it’s not being “thoughtful” either.  Rather it’s being “aware” of what is happening in the moment, without the discursive, judgmental thinking that comes when our critical mind is engaged. Very good, indeed. Mindfulness, because it promotes relaxation, allows us to be more thoughtful. That’s because with mindfulness we’re not trying too hard to hold on to an idea we like, or to push away one we don’t like.

This week is a week of introspection for my community, leading to the Day of Atonement (Friday night through Saturday night). But for all us, my hope and wish and blessing is that we all enjoy a year of deepening mindfulness so that our most genuine, heartfelt, and compassionate thoughtfulness may be better expressed, for our good and for the good of all humankind.

Please note:

Weekly meditation will not be held at the synagogue this Saturday, as our community will be celebrating Yom Kippur at the JCC. For those joining us there, meditation will be at 9:00 am.

And Don’t Forget:

Do Jews Believe in Heaven? Click here for information.       

Introduction to Judaism Class. Click here for information. 

You can now “follow” Rabbi Mark Sameth’s blog and receive his weekly blog-posts by e-mail. Just click here and then click the icon "Get e-mail updates." Rabbi Mark Sameth - named one of the 36 most inspiring rabbis in America by The Jewish Daily Forward - is the spiritual leader of Joyful Judaism: Pleasantville Community Synagogue an inclusive, progressive synagogue – with members from twenty towns, villages and cities all across Westchester and “A Hebrew School Your Kids Can Love.” Read The New York Times article. Watch and listen on PCTV76. Follow on Twitter. Weekly meditation at the synagogue every Saturday morning at 9 am is open to the public; everyone – without exception - is welcome and warmly invited. See the “Top Ten Reasons to Join PCS” - as well as our service times and events - at www.ShalomPCS.com.

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