Moshe asks God to appoint a leader in his stead before he dies so that the people will not be like sheep without a shepherd. In this meditation, we consider the ways in which our internal systems often feel leaderless and the ways we might learn to be stronger internal leaders for our parts. We look at the trait of spaciousness in particular, picking up on the word ruah, meaning wind or spirit or breath, a word that is used by both Moshe and God in their discussion of leadership. We practice being the internal space in which our emotions and parts can be held rather than being the emotions or parts themselves, and from this expansive state — being the space between the trees — we offer our suffering parts acceptance, accompaniment, strong boundaries and a shepherd’s song of care.
Sources:
Numbers 27:15-18
Exodus 6:9
Rashi on Numbers 27:16, Elokei Haruhot
Rashi on Numbers 27: 18, Asher ruah bo
Esther 4:14
Psalm 23
I Samuel 16:23
Photo by Rachel Claire at Pexels
This meditation is so helpful. Wow.
Am I off base to think about the book and movie “Sybil” who was treated for multiple personality disorder and taught to incorporate her personalities into one whole being?
Hi Sherry. Thank you for your comment! I am glad that you found the meditation helpful. No, you are not off base at all. I think what you are picking up on is that the meditation is heavily influenced by the IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapeutic model which understands us all to be made up of multiple “parts” as well as a “Self” that can lead them.
Thanks for listening and commenting!