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HaMakom We gather in New Mexico's extraordinary, high-desert wilderness, an optimal place to inspire and connect the seeker to the divine through spiritual practice in solitude. This program is inspired by a powerful Native American ritual called the "vision quest."* Participants will camp (supervised and safe) for two days in a small circle without human contact. "HaMakom" refers to the "place" or "location", and to the Place, one of the names for God in rabbinic literature. HaMakom names the physical, immanent aspect of God's presence that one might find in the touch of earth, the smell of a flower, the sounds of wildlife, the feel of rain and the sight of the stars. Purpose First, we bring ourselves to the edge. Leaving behind everything familiar and routine in our lives, we physically place ourselves outside our usual world, enabling our hearts to see from a different perspective. We eat lightly or fast, lightening the body's load and heightening the physical senses. On the threshold between the material and spiritual worlds, on the edge of one's comfort zone, we stand vulnerable and exposed, yet never so at home, in the natural world. Second, we move beyond our selves and our stories. We follow in Jacob's footsteps (as related in Genesis, ch. 28). Running from Esau he sleeps in the wilderness, far from his former life, not knowing what the future holds. He dreams the famous dream of angels ascending and descending a ladder and converses with God. When he wakes the next morning and remembers his dream, he proclaims, "Surely God was in this place and I, i did not know." ** When Jacob is dreaming, his big "I" — his fearful ego — is sound asleep. Freed from his self-occupations, Jacob ("i") is able to see what was always there. At HaMakom we study and practice the art of listening. In silence and solitude, we engage the work of making room in our hearts for God. Through exercises in mindfulness, chant, meditation, close observation of nature and Chi Quong, we empty our minds and sensitize ourselves to nature's abundance. In Jewish mystical terms, we become a vessel to receive the divine flow that streams toward us from the plants, animals, earth and sky. Paying close attention to the wild without, we leave space for the emergence of the wild within. From this "place," so different from everyday consciousness, we strive toward devekut (cleaving to God) through chant, prayer and contemplation. A "soul-o" wilderness retreat is a powerful experience. Some relate most to prayer, others to emptiness, others to introspective contemplation. People resonate to different experiences at different times over the retreat. Participants learn to "empty out," and in doing so, reach out to the divine in all that surrounds them. HaMakom provides the opportunity to mark, grapple with, and understand a significant passage or transition in life. For some, this is "the place" to sort through a difficult time or problem. The earth, the stillness and the silence call us to attention, grounding and steadying us. In spacious solitude, troubles and transitions often work themselves out in ways that exceed our usual capacities to solve or resolve life's challenges. Inevitably, those who turn to wilderness receive invaluable perspective about some important area of their lives. All will leave with a new or deeper relation to rocks and trees, animals and sky. HaMakom does not intend to be an island, far removed for the everyday world. Rather, it hopes to plant the seed of wilderness in all facets of our lives. A "soul-o" wilderness retreat enlivens, expands and strengthens one's regular, spiritual practice. From Mike Comins: I have been dreaming about offering a "vision quest" kind of program in a Jewish context ever since I completed my first solo wilderness retreat in 1998. I have repeatedly gone back for more, as it is as powerful a spiritual experience as any I have encountered. One almost always feels the divine in natural settings, but I finally began to understand the divine connection, and deepen my relationship with God, in wilderness solitude. TorahTrek aspires to make a positive contribution to the planet and serve the Jewish people's covenant with God. This is the program, without which, TorahTrek would not exist. Program On Tuesday, preparation continues and participants scout out their retreat sites. At dawn on Wednesday, participants set out for their "soul-o" retreat, each staying in their small circle for two full days and nights. Fasting from food (not water) during the retreat is optional. We will discuss the various benefits of abstaining from food during the preparation period. On Friday morning, participants return from their solitude retreats to re-enter the social world with song, prayer and a meal. We maintain silence until Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner, taking time to journal, sleep and relax. During a Shabbat of prayer, study and purposeful speech, we prepare for the return to our everyday lives, seeking to bring the experience of the solitude retreat into our relationships at home. Participants are invited to share insights from their "soul-o" time, though they may choose to say little. Rabbi Mike offers his perspective and understanding in helping to integrate the participant's experience. On Sunday morning, May 18th, we depart for airports. Please schedule afternoon flights. Participants are encouraged to take at least one day of free time before re-engaging their full schedules. Place Physical Condition and Equipment Safety Weather Cost, Transportation and Lodging Questions Registration and Payment Cancellation Policy and Travel Insurance *There is a good deal of controversy and sometimes anger among Native Americans toward others who offer "vision quest" programs. We would like to state clearly that this program, while inspired by the Native American ritual, is not an attempt to mimic Native American rites or to merge Native American religion with Judaism. We have gratefully and respectfully adopted the form of a vision quest, a solo stay in a small circle. All religions have common elements, such as prayer. Some Jewish practices, which we have discovered in Jewish mystical sources and teach to participants, share common forms with Native American customs, as one would expect from two spiritual practices that originated in close relationship with the earth. However, the content of HaMakom is that of a Jewish retreat from within the theological-cultural context of Judaism. Accordingly, the terminology of "vision" or "quest" is not employed. Back ** Translation by Lawrence Kushner based on the teachings of the school of Menachem Mendel of Kotsk, pg. 48 of his book titled by this same translation of Genesis 28:16. Back
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