Happy Jewish New Year ― 5779

A ritual is performed at a large, natural body of flowing water (e.g., river, lake, sea, or ocean) on the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, although it may be performed until Hoshana Rabbah. It symbolizes “washing away your sins.”

Gregory and I would always celebrate the tradition on Yom Kippur not so much to “wash away our sins” but more to contemplate the immensity of life, our place in it, and its fragility. To practice forgiveness of others as well of ourselves. The observation is even more important to me now, as we approach the third anniversary of Gregory’s death, October 4, 2015.

A Mantra

As I breath in I think, "I am a wave,"
As I breath out I think, "I am the ocean,"
As I breath in I think, "I am a drop of rain,"
As I breath out I think, "I am water."

They each have their different names,
But in the end, whether they know it or not,
They are all the same, all one, no difference really,
As are you and me, him and her, us and them.

Life is like that, constantly changing, in flux,
Coming and going and coming and going
Nothing is permanent, all is impermanence,
Life is death and death is life, One form or another.

Thinking of Gregory

Thinking of Gregory and some of him which is now part of the Chicago Botanic Garden. It doesn't look too restful, but Gregory always loved water and especially the water fall at the garden. Rest in peace Gregory!