We live in an age that praises spontaneity and action, that considers “just doing it”, to paraphrase the Nike ad, a great virtue. But the character change that lies at the heart of Mussar requires awareness of our own behavior and reactions, or what Luzzatto terms “watchfulness.”
an awareness meditation
you shall not ignore it
There’s never a dull moment around our house. As I’ve been preparing to write an article about the middah of awareness, my wife has found two stray ladybugs in our kitchen. She has made it her personal mission this Sunday to make sure they are fed and watered before she sends them off into the wild world.
look at the lilies
from where? from whom?
haze in the olam
mindful orbiting
routine awareness
questions to ask yourself
Use these questions to evaluate your day:
- Are you aware of how your actions and behavior affect others?
- Are you aware of your weaknesses in certain middot and working actively to strengthen yourself?
- Are you current on world and local events and how you can engage yourself?
- Do your struggles come from being unaware of your behavior or do they just come from nowhere? Do you have any role in causing them and if so what is your role?
- Is there a character trait you are not aware of that causes you to have many struggles in life? Are you
aware of how Hashem or others are working with you to overcome this trait? Do you allow yourself
to be molded? - Do you isolate yourself in your own bubble and remain out of touch with the needs of family and friends? How can you engage more?
- How aware are you of your effect on others? How can you make your effect more positive?