The Divine Presence only dwells in a space where there is joy; the prophets did not experience prophecy whenever they desired. Instead, they would focus on their consciousness, sit with joy and gladness in their hearts, and meditate, for prophecy does not come in the face of sadness or indolence, only where there is joy.
— Rabbi Eliyahu de Vidas
I love this teaching from Rabbi Eliyahu de Vidas (1518-1592), which I learned from Alan Morinis, a profound Jewish writer and teacher. There have been so many moments throughout this difficult year when I wished that I could magically access joy or ease, moments when I hoped that patience or compassion would come to me easily without any cultivation. I find enormous comfort in the understanding that even our greatest prophets had to focus all of their energy to tap into their own strength, their wise awareness and sage vision, their own moments of deep joy.
How might we, like our prophets and teachers, take the time to cultivate joy in our life, understanding that it may not appear magically, without our most earnest efforts to generate or access it? When we really stop to listen to our deepest yearnings, to speak our prayers, and to connect to our feelings, we have a much better chance at genuinely connecting with our family, friends, neighbors, and hopefully, like our prophetic role models, with our best selves and with the Divine.
— Cantor Emma Lutz