Shema Koli –Hear My Voice
Lately chanting is taking up a lot of time and space in my life. The words and niggunim (tunes) are fueling my soul with energy and warmth that have been void for so very long. There is a sense of sacredness that is being interwoven into my connections with others and the earth too.
As the chanting fills my soul and helps to quiet my mind, the notes and the silence between the notes help me to focus on what’s important. I am slowly learning to listen to what I am hearing, as well as what is not being heard.
During a chanting retreat/training few months ago, Rabbi Shefa Gold empowered her students to look inside themselves and to find one word to describe a middah (personal attribute) that they would like to further develop. I chose a middah directly out of Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers), recognizing your place (makir et mikomo). Initially, Reb Shefa asked us to name the middah using one word, but that never worked for me. Pirkei Avot is also filled with teachings that I personalize and that had a middah in three words, so initially my middah was in three words too.
Upon my return home, I was able to find words that resonated best for me. As a student, I took the wisdom from my teacher and allowed that wisdom to root itself into my own work, my own practice. The words Shema Koli kept coming up, so I found myself playing with the words within my chanting.
Intuitively, I know that in order to be the most authentic person I can be, I need to be hearing my voice, listening to my most intimate thoughts, paying attention to my needs.
Shema Koli, I am alive on a very core level. As long as I am listening to myself, I can reach for the stars and become all that I want for myself. When I say Shema Koli, it is about having integrity with myself, not necessarily the interactions I have with others. As long as I am listening to me, I have a chance at creating the best future for me.
For so many reasons, I struggled to ‘hear my voice’ over the years. The truth is that I now have the power to listen and fulfill my needs, my desires. I am strong. Listening to my voice has helped me reach this place.
Chanting makes my spirit dance. When I chant the words Shema Koli, I am initially singing to myself! Listen to yourself Chava. What is it you want? How are you going to get it? Shema Koli. My chanting leads to a critical opportunity for self-reflection.
As the chant continues Shema Koli is not necessarily to myself, but as an intention to building a better relationship to my loved ones, my friends. My intention is to strengthen the interaction between others and myself. My goal is to grow healthy connections. ‘Hear my voice’; let our relationship evolve from a place of kindness, of wisdom, of caring. Let honesty reign.
Finally, as the chant continues, I seem to be asking the world around me to welcome my words, my wisdom….Hear my voice. As a writer, I want to share my words and to have them read and treasured by others.
Shema Koli