A Day to Meditate

Today is Yom Kippur, the day of atonement in the Jewish religion. Ten days after the start of the Hebrew calendar, we seek forgiveness not just from G-d, but from all those we committed transgression upon. It's a solemn day, one of contemplation and meditation. It's private.

My biggest shareable takeaway, came from a musical mediation I always attend in the late afternoon. The spiritual leader, and singer/musician talked about a powerful mediation from the Kabbalah. If you practice meditation or yoga with any regularity, this will sound familiar to you, as well.

We spend so much of our time thinking about what has already happened in the past, and worrying about what will happen in the future, that we don't give any priority to the present.

The day of atonement, the meditation of Yom Kippur, is the most present I feel all year. Fasting, praying, contemplating, meditating, and just being Jewish with my Jewish friends. For me it is a day of being, and I could not be more grateful for this time.

I have made a commitment through yoga practice, to try and stay in the present. I am trying to keep my mind still and quiet more. I'm trying to listen to what my mind and heart and body are saying to me. It takes a lot of practice.

On this day, I seek forgiveness for being unkind, inauthentic, less than helpful to anyone in and around my life. I ask forgiveness from myself and from G-d. And I make a pledge to do better.