The sixth reading from the book of Genesis is named Toldot (תולדות), which means “generations.” It is so named because the Torah portion begins with the words “Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac” (Genesis 25:19). Toldot tells us the story of the birth of Jacob and Esau and their struggle for the birthright and blessing of their father, Isaac. We also learn about Isaac’s trials and difficulties in the land of Canaan. The portion concludes with Jacob’s deception of Isaac in order to procure the family blessing. Genesis 25:19 – 28:6.
This post is designed to be like a yoga session. It will take 30 minutes of your time.
As your guide, I will attempt to describe “right alignment” and then guide you in discovering and exploring your edge. I am looking forward to hearing some feedback as to how you experienced this.
First, make sure you are wearing comfortable clothing that you can move easily in and you are warm. Lay out your yoga mat. If you use cushions to sit then have them available. Have a blanket for Final Shavassanah.
Play the following song while doing a few yoga poses. Open up the hips with dragon or pigeon. Do a few forward bends and backbends. Stretch neck and connect to breathing. It’s only a short 3 minute stretch here.
Now, establish your sitting position. Take a few minutes to make sure you are set up. Feel the energy rise up in the spine. Pull up through the core slightly. Breath-Relax-Feel-Watch-Allow. Lock into your focused awareness and watch this video. It is 12 minutes long.
When finished take 5 cycles of deep breathing. Inhale for 8 seconds getting full. Hold for 13 seconds, exhale in 8 seconds, hold exhale for 5 seconds and repeat. Switch your legs. Put the one that is in front in back. Then click play on the next video. It is 8 minutes long.
When video finishes set up for final Shivassana and play the audio below.
When video finishes then come back slowly and……
Contemplate the following thoughts:
Do you see a comparison between the 5 koshas in the yogic system and the 5 aspects of the soul described by the Rabbi?
Can you invert the order? Bliss to Physical. Highest level of soul to Nefash.
The fifth reading in the book of Genesis is translated, “Sarah lived.”
Genesis 23:1 – 25:18
The last portion ended with the binding of Isaac. This traumatic event contributed to the death of Sarah. Isaac was spared and Sarah died. Other things occur in the story like Abraham sending out Elazaar to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham purchases land with a cave to bury Sarah. Hagar comes back and has more children with Abraham. Read the section to connect to the story.
I am posting two videos here. One from Shual on this week’s portion and one from our favorite Rabbi talking about the Moshiach. Both videos bring the lesson to the events of the day.
This weeks portion is called Vayera. It is translated “He appears’. It is a portion of revelation. Genesis 18:1 – 22:24. A lot happening in this portion. This morning I was studying and I came across a few interesting videos. First, listen to Leonard Cohen’s song Everybody Knows…..
Then, Listen to this 10 minute presentation that was done exactly 4 years ago right after the last election.
Does your yoga practice expand your awareness of the Great Dance of Creation itself? – The Dance between desire and fulfillment. BUT WAIT! Which came first……the chicken or the egg? Or did they just “arise” at the same time? Does it matter? In one “map of the territory” it is suggested that Fulfillment came first. The Egg comes before the chicken. It is obvious. In fact, “Fulfillment is the Seed of Desire.” The Egg is the cause of the Chicken just as Fulfillment is the cause of Desire. The Chicken is the effect just as Desire is the Effect. Within the Effect is the Cause; within the chicken is the egg. This is a primary rule of the science of Cause and Effect:
The Cause always contains the Effect, and the Effect always contains the Cause.