In the summer of 2005, Rabbi Aaron presented this week-long seminar to the participants of the Inward Bound Program. It is a deep exploration into the foundational Jewish concept/experience/skill of Emunah, which is absolutely essential to understand in order to live a fulfilling life.
Emunah 1 – Intro (The Intellectual Powers)
Before even touching emunah, Rabbi Aaron presents an introduction to the three powers of the intellect, how they relate to prayer, and how to best use these powers bond with Hashem.
Emunah 2 – The State of Being
How do you ‘achieve’ emunah? At one point in a person’s development does it begin? What is the real Jewish definition of the word?
Emunah 3 – The True Source
If emunah is not a collection of ideas or an achievement, then what is it? In this class, Rabbi Aaron talks about clarity, seeing, and knowing who we are in relationship to the Source.
Emunah 4 – Revealing Soul
Rabbi Aaron begins by analyzing a very spicy story from the Talmud in order to illustrate a self-realization moment in the emunah experience. He also gives us practical tips to ‘let our light shine’.
Emunah 5a – Reverence & Love, pt 1
This first part is a discussion of the concepts of yira and ahava, and how our lives exist in the tension between the two, along with a revelation of a new facet of emunah: the profound knowing of one’s self.
Emunah 5b – Reverence & Love, pt 2
The class continues with a profound Kirk Douglas story and a discussion about the relationship between ‘spirituality’ and being a decent human being.
Emunah 6a – Searching & Serving, pt 1
Emunah also has within it the concepts of loyalty and artistry. How do they couple with the search for self and the fulfillment of service in a life of Emunah?
Emunah 6b – Searching & Serving, pt 2
Rabbi Aaron explains the purpose of evil, the inclination to evil, and the inherent value of practice and training.
Emunah 7a – Intensifying, pt 1
This class is all about belief. How do we nurture our natural power to believe and make sure that it is focused in a healthy direction? Then, how do you intensify your Emunah?
Emunah 7b – Intensifying, pt 2
Now, Rabbi Aaron explores the joy of serving Hashem, discusses the three essential soul needs, and explains the aspect of Emunah that is a deep intuitive knowing of what who we really are.
Emunah 8a – My Natural Self, pt 1
Do I think, speak, and act in tandem with my deepest self knowing? How do I feel good about myself? How can demonstrate and manifest the ten Divine ideals in whatever I’m doing?
Emunah 8b – My Natural Self, pt 2
In the rigorous discipline of a spiritual life, it can be easy to lose touch with the wild, child-like spontaneous passion of your heart. In this concluding section of the series, Rabbi Aaron taps us into the vitality of Emunah, and how to be responsive to the oscillations of life.
