Ruach

Engaging the Ruach.

The Ruach voice expresses itself through our emotions. We need to bring our heart into the learning, to personalize the material.  How is this achieved?

• Safe Space: First of all, a safe and supportive environment must be created. An environment free of cynicism, sarcasm, judgment, or attack. Only in a safe environment will the student be open and willing to open themselves up and personally engage with the learning.

• Personal Partner: Students are encouraged to find partners and discuss how they relate to the material studied. What resonates with them, what was difficult for them? They have to bring their own voice into their relationship with the material. The deep listening practices develop and encourage each participant to actively listen to him or herself as well as to others.

• Deep Listening: Students need to be taught how to develop their listening skills. They need to be instructed how to “deeply listen” and how to ask open-ended, reflective questions. They are not to give advice, admonish, or try to “fix” their partner.  Students are instructed on the importance of confidentiality, anything that is said between the partners, stays between the partners. 

• Reflection: The pace of learning is deliberate and unhurried. Unlike the mind, the heart works very slowly. The mind can grasp a new idea in a moment. The heart needs time to reflect and process the new ideas. In the language of the Mishna, the heart simply needs “to be” with the idea for a period of time. Otherwise, this new mental awareness will remain an isolated, detached entity, not penetrating into the emotional fabric of life.