posted by Kamala on Feb 4
Dearest Friends and Family,
We are discovering the Penance of Speech. We feel this is due to Anni’s helping influence in our lives, for we do want to be able to commune with her again. Anni had perfect control over her speech. Our Amma has recommended that we be like the Swan and take the milk from the waters of all pure spiritual inquiry. Amma has said:
We should create opportunities for people everywhere, especially young people, to learn not only about their own religion, but also about other religions, and to become appreciative of their noble ideals…let us go beyond religious conversion and work to eliminate narrow-mindedness and division.
Holy Mother Amma
Below is a prayer, one jewel that we just have to share, as we are so thrilled to learn about the Chofetz Chaim - Desired Life.
The Chofetz Chaim is an ethical treatise in Judaism on L’shon ha-ra - the (mis)use of speech. L’shon means - tongue, and L’shon ha-ra refers to `evil speech’. In Judaism, the reverence for God is so great, that the word ‘God’ is not used, and is referenced: G-d.
The Chofetz Chaim was introduced to us by a friend and visitor to the Ashram, who spent 8 years in a seminary in Israel. The great Rabbis are Sages.
A prayer from the Rabbi Chofetz Chaim
Gracious and merciful G-d, help me to restrain myself
from speaking or listening to derogatory,
demeaning or hostile speech.
I will try not to engage in L’shon ha-ra, either about individuals or
about an entire group of people.
I will strive not to say anything that contains falsehood,
insincere flattery or elements of needless dispute, anger,
arrogance, oppression or embarrassment to others.
Grant me the strength to say nothing unnecessary,
so that all my actions and speech cultivate a love for your
creatures and for You.
We do not realize the power of our speech. The great sages of all religions have put a clamp on speech. Here’s the main reason why:
Whoever speaks l’shon ha-ra causes the Shechinah (God’s presence) to depart from this world.
Midrash Devarim Rabbah 5:10
It is written that God says that He and the gossiper cannot dwell together in the same world.
Talmud Arachin 15b
We are finding that this is a very great sadhana, and seek your blessings in putting the great teachings of Rabbi Chofetz Chaim into practice! LET’S DO IT!
Loving you,
Aunty Kamala, Anni and Link
These are some urls that can supply more information on the practice of these natural ethical laws:
http://www.zimbio.com/The+Torah/articles/485/RABBI+ARTHUR+SEGAL+JEWISH+RENEWAL+JEWISH+SPIRITUAL
rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com
http://www.torah.org/learning/halashon/intrcomm.html