Having completed these forty nine days we come to the fiftieth day - Mattan Torah, the day upon which we are to receive the Blessing of Torah from G-d Himself. Having achieved inner renewal by merit of having assessed and developed each of our forty nine attributes, we should be ready to receive the Holy Word.

What is the significance of the fiftieth day—Mattan Torah? After we have achieved all we can accomplish through our own initiative, tried our genuine best to be ready, then we receive as a gift (mattanah ) from above that which we could not achieve with our limited faculties. We receive the ability to actually be touched by the divine, not only to be cultivated human beings who have refined each of their personal characteristics, but divine human beings, who are capable of expressing above and beyond their defined human emotions, and actually express that which is inexpressible and undefinable in human terms—the most intimate emotions that transcend the forty-nine defined attributes.

Conclusion

A Shavuot Meditation

The Journey of Awareness is completed, and the time of listening has come. This moment is symbolised by Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, the celebration of the Revelation at Sinai. Energetically, we stand with our People at the foot of that ancient and always new mountain. Again, we confront with awe the possibilities of that space (and that time).

In that ancient time most of us remained below, afraid to approach lest we be destroyed. Moses was called and he went up, that we might receive from him the Word. Perhaps this year, at long last, we meet at the Mountain called Sinai, face our fears and, perhaps this year, we will be able to receive that which we call Torah. Perhaps even, one of us might be chosen this time to ascend up the mountain to face HaShem. May we be so blessed.

Revelation is unlike any other form of communication. All other forms exist in a particular place at a particular time. Revelation is communication outside the normal boundaries of space and time. Revelation is always available to those who become receptive. That which was spoken is still being spoken. The Sound at Sinai always awaits us.

And that is because Revelation “reveals” the true Nature of Reality. Revelation occurs when something that was dark and mysterious becomes apparent and clear.

We begin with Blessing:

ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם שהחינו וקימנו והיגיענו לזמן הזה.

Baruch atah Adonay, Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam shehecheeyanu v’kiyimanu vihigiyanu lizman haze.

Blessed are You, Eternal One, our God, Universal Creative Presence, Who keeps us alive always. Who Guides the unfolding of our uniqueness, and Who Brings this very moment to us for blessing.

Once we stood as a People below that mountain, today each of us must approach it on our own. There is but One message, translated through each one of us according to his (or her) own levels of preparation and integrity. We can support each other and have compassion for one another. But the listening is an action—determined by a long line of choices—that each one must choose.

After you have read and perhaps reread the following guided meditative practice, let your eyes close. Take some quiet time to enter into the scene on your own. Take advantage of this day to discover this ancient/new place for yourself. Let it unfold for you. Become aware of the images that meet your consciousness, the impressions you receive. Perhaps there will be words… Be available for that which awaits you there.

Trust the moment. The journey from slavery to freedom is real. Trust the images and the words. Through becoming aware beings, we can shoulder the responsibility of discovering better ways taking care of ourselves and of our world.

Let the following scene begin to take place in your imagination.

A Shavuot Visualisation

I stand at the foot of the Mountain now. There are others with me and I experience a community of support. Each of us surrenders to our own awareness of this moment. I look up at the peak of that Mountain, aware of the Energy focused there. The Mountain pulsates with Light. There is a vibration which I begin to experience through every cell and every level of my being.

There is a path that calls out to me now. As I to ascend, I become aware of the shifts in energy. The air feels fresher, more alive. The vibration grows till it becomes a deep chanting sound within my mind. My steps grow lighter the higher I climb, almost as if some Force is guiding me up that incline…

Feeling safe in this place, my awareness filled with the sights and sounds of the Mountain, I barely hear a quiet whisper of words, images flit around me, strange, wonderful feelings rise from deep inside myself…

I step full into this scene.

My Visualisation

Standing at the foot of the mountain, a storm brewing above us… todo