SHECHINA DWELLING

Shechina Dwelling

- by Joy Krauthammer

Shechina dwelling

within myself.

A Sacred Space

from which

Creation emerges.

           ~

.

CYMBALING IN POOL

Cymbaling in Pool

- Joy Krauthammer

On the full moon day,
I swam                
away from the rising sun               .
moving-                     
   silently with my cymbals
rising
from the floor of the pool.

Underwater
in joy I played
performing

each secret stroke,

raising higher

round

grain sieves, 

tambourines, 

ancient frame drums, 

voice of the goddess!

transformed;
mythic Cybele:
Gaia,
Great Mother goddess

percussionist.

Another round-trip,
between my worlds

reflect above and below;
I swim east
to repeat the
sacred path,
then west
for the rhythmic rite.

Cymbals crashing

awaken Divine joy;

I hear Psalm 150 singing.
((((  ))))

Aligning

consciousness of divinity

with sacred ritual

purification in the waters.

My shadow,
in the water:
the image,
barefoot, 

arms outstretched

my hands hold -- cymbals
I clash them together
rhythmically,      
each stroke, slowly
swooping 

from lower left and right
circling up from my sides,
high over my head.

((((  ))))

Can you hear it?
The musical beat
as both sides meet
in shadowed reflection. 

Around again,
more determined,
each lap in the pool,
each stroke
pushing the whorls, 

whirls, swirls of water.

Cymbals clash.

((((  ))))         

Powerful spiritual woman, 

Miriyahm the Prophetess,
timbrel player
striking cymbals
carried beyond the waters.
Marking the pulse of life.
Freedom! Hope!

Leading women:
dancers and drummers
singing
in Divine ecstasy.

I with waves of vibration,
resonating
in excitement and glee,
praise
The Source of All Blessings.

With my reflection

I'm alone

in the silence 

of my meditation.
          ~

Joy cymbaling self-portrait 

© Joy Krauthammer

Timbrals, Cymbals

water color

© Joy Krauthammer

~ ~ ~ 

Swimming deeper into each form, I began to assimilate the energy of the sacred as mine.

My swimming is a consciousness transforming practice. It is my meditation.

The light of the sun physically and mystically brought to consciousness the aweness of my sacred rite of prayer, my song, which is my rhythmic drumming on frame drum. - Joy Krauthammer

Disclaimer: I recognize goddess as that which was worshipped in ancient times, and even the feminine within myself, but not G*D of my people. - Joy

MYTH

Cybele known as the goddess, 'Great Mother" in Asia Minor, Greece and Italy.

Cybele known in Babylonia and Syria as Astarte or Ishtar.

"Cybele has frequently been depicted holding a frame drum, which she was known to play. It is considered to be one of her most important symbols, and it is believed to represent the moon. A famous picture exists, showing Cybele holding a frame drum in her left hand, painted red, while in her right hand she holds a lotus bowl, from which a liquid is pouring forth.The lotus bowl, also known as the patera, is believed to represent the great cosmic vulva, from which the water of life continuously pours forth. Many different liquids have been used to represent the water of life, including honey, wine, milk and even blood. Ishtar, an aspect of Cybele, has also been depicted pouring the water of life, as it flowed endlessly, from a jug."

http://www.angelfire.com/journal/ofapoet/cybele.html

.

PRAISING G*D's SPLENDOR

PRAISING G*D's SPLENDOR

- Joy Krauthammer

Hod, my vessel containing

my essence, my energy, my expression

revealed as I play passionate percussion

in gratitude for the glory of G*d.

Bells ringing, singing in abunDance

in harmony hear

and respond

to my inner vessel of joy.

Joy is my Hod, in the Etz Chayyim

in the Tree of Life.

I dance

soar my soul,

sing, shout my song,

as I serve

the Divine Giver of Life.

My outer garments covering me,

strong deep royal colors, velvet

flowing pomegranate crimson

and splendor of purple painted silks,

sunrise and sunset,

color tones of the Temple.

Hod, receiving and

giving over my loving-kindness

to share sensations,

and my appreciation

for the Light

of the Eternal One.

Surrendering

as if floating,

held in soft waters,

I am in Oneness.

Feeling,

touching molecules

of space all around me,

I stretch my body,

my limbs

as high and wide and full

as my imagination can reach,

my voice as clear

as my channel can be,

my drumming

smoothly connected

to The Source of All BlesSings.

Blessed, I am drummed,

and feel fullness of embrace,

melding into the Waters of Life

My expansiveness

becomes One

with all present.

We receive each other,

reverberate vibrations

of praise to the Compassionate One,

an ecstatic meditation.

With timbrel in hand,

we have walked

through G*d's miraculous parted seas

to our freedom.

We can pray

and give gratitude

for all we can be,

to transcend

beyond ourselves.

Hod brings me

to my radiant community,

playful place

of music for Majesty.

I'm told,

angels are heard

in the tinkle,

the twinkle of my chimes.

Hodu L’Hashem Ki Tov

Ki L’Olam Hasdo, Hodu.

- Psalm 136 Give Thanks To G*d
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SEPHIROT DANCE

SEPHIROT DANCE

- Joy Krauthammer

Dance of Netzach sh b'Hod

Dancing forward in the mode

Glory/Hod of Gratitude;

Dance of Life, Chai, Day 18.

Behold, Splendor of soul

will be seen, revealed

as Elul enters. A month

to shine soul,

remove the schmutz.

Dance month of searching --

backwards, forwards -- cleansing, fixing

all within.

Netzach,

not only victory

in physical form --

Dance of warrior in battle,

to win in life, survive a fight.

Instead, a concept:

going forward

with all your might

for Dance of Joy.

Reach out

for what you want

in your soul.

Power of

Dance of forgiveness, of compassion,

of heart.

Dance of understanding, of wisdom

to impart.

Dance of integrity.

Dance of desire.

Stay on the path,

out of the mire.

Dance of Joy. Splendor of joy.

Dance toward what may not be seen.

Vision of Truth, deep

Dance of justice, wide.

Dance of faith, high.

Dance of trust, surrender

toward the Holy One. Blessed Be.

Dance of creativity, dance of passion,

dance of planting, dance of growth,

dance of hope, and dance of connecting love.

Not only war to win!

Sometimes powerfully,

on horses, hooves flying fast from within;

sometimes lightly, gently,

empowered

on iridescent hummingbird wings,

all along the Tree of Life, dance!

...and sing out

your abunDance of blesSings, and drum, even hum,

and dance again.
     ~

Dance of creativity

This poem understanding came from an important place within me.  I was in retreat with Reb Zalman Schacter-Shalomi and Eve Ilsen on Shavuot at Elat Chayyim, and I realized that my Netzach can be and is used, not only for battle (as with hospital administrations and fighting for life, but after mourning in dancing toward JOY.

Quite a realization for me at that moment.

I thought about how I go forward in life...

The Deronda Review back cover poem & photo

reprinted from "The Deronda Review", a journal of poetry and thought

Vol. IV No. 2 - Winter-Spring 2012

http://www.pointandcircumference.com/

FLIGHT OF THE SEPHIROT

FLIGHT OF THE SEPHIROT

- Joy Krauthammer

I never look to write a poem; they just come...

like butterflies of my mind

You ask if for Shabbat I could "do a poem?"

on the holy Omer Counting "Sephirot of the day"

Tiferet sh b'Yesod

...so I guess not, of course not

or maybe

in my mind

I took flight and

I just did create one.)

Imagine if I go outside

to look for a flower of Creation

the Yesod of the Divine One

it just beckons to me

smiles at me

and I see G*d

the nasturtium

growing at the edge of the earth, low

do I pick one? bright wine toned

and eat one in my organic salad?

as we do at Esalen

high above the cliffs

the edge of Big Sur

place of majesty

where Tiferet reigns.

In exaltation and surprise

in my garden today

I see white Wood Irises

with purple petal interiors

dozens blossomed overnight

tall, appearing

as shadow puppets, a host of

winged butterflies in flight.

One spring

butterflies passed through my garden

a channel for their journey of life

millions for fourteen days

alighting upon my citrus trees

in connection, bonding with me.

Continuing their mission

over my roof, finally

left me on Erev Shabbat

Swarms of pretty Painted Ladies

embracing me

Gracing me

when I needed G*d

They gave me delight

I was in ecstasy, in awe

I couldn't ask for more

all I could do was

stand in centered stillness,

as golden delights brushed past my cheeks

my beating heart

bonded in belief

my desire granted

by the Compassionate One.

Silently, I had wished, yearned

my heart dreaming

to see the migrating butterflies

thousands of miles away

they came to me

a miracle revealed

Caregiving, I could not leave

my paralyzed husband

of blessed memory.

Tiferet sh b'Yesod

is his birthday.

Balance of beauty, Truth

we are gifted by the Creator of Life.

Harmony to begin this 38th day

lead the way

in Tiferet and Yesod

Compassion as our Foundation

join all other Sephirot

within the Etz Chayim, the Tree of Life.

~ ~ ~

Note: The counting of the Omer takes place between Passover and Shavuot, and each day is associated with a specific Kabbalistic combination pair of Sephirot.  For a greater explanation and understanding of this theme, see Rabbi Simon Jacobson's "A Spiritual Guide to the Counting of the Omer," which may be found on http://www.chabad.org/ or http://www.meaningfullife.com/

.

"Flight of the Sephirot" is a psalm of my soul about G*d totally hearing me and my desire during my time of service as caregiver for G*d. I took care of ONE of G*d's children, z'l.

G*d listened to me and heard my yearning to be with the butterflies and BROUGHT THEM TO ME.

I had no idea that this could happen. Giving me the butterflies in my garden is a pure one time gift of MIRACLE from the Compassionate One.

The Painted Ladies could have had the world as their passage way, their Kriat Yahm Suf, as they left from one home on their survival journey, and they travelled through my opening. I stood outside and welcomed each of them greeting me.

(It was not easy to give up my public life of sharing, to be Caregiver Angel Warrior. I came to the realization that serving ONE was just as important as being present for greater community.)

Talmud says, "And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."

- Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 4:8 (37a)

Many times, as a vessel for Hashem, I saved the life of Marcel, z'l, my husband, during his 18 years of metastatic brain cancer. (My intention was to get Marcel to Aviva's wedding, and I did. Marcel went on life-support only three weeks later, following our daughter's honeymoon.)

- Joy Krauthammer

               ~

MY SEAT

MY SEAT

by  Joy Krauthammer

Accompanying
55 inner-city HS senior students
with their English teacher, my sister,
on a day outing to see
live Shakespeare,
truly a treat for students,
who never see professional theatre,

my Gevurah--setting boundaries, and
my Netzach--going forth with endurance
were activated and balanced together
on this 23rd day of Omer Counting.

Students 
filled the old yellow school bus.
I re-entered the bus and
noticed my large canvas bag
hand-painted artistically
with my name JOY and
bulging with intermission noshes,
gifts for the kids
I purchased

had been moved
from the second row seat
I had reserved for myself and teacher,
to the front row seat
with boxes and big bus floor hump;

In the aisle
I stood my ground
and stared
at the two burly students
occupying my seats.

I asked if they moved my bag.
Not getting the desired
honest response,
with all my might I rallied
Gevurah and Netzach,
the Sephirotic energy pair of the day.
I told the guy and gal,
"This is MY seat and you have to move."

I had to repeat my statement
twice.

All seats taken,
the heavily tattooed bus driver insisted
skinny people become
a third to double seat companions.

On the return ride
the compassionate bus driver
allowed the teacher
as she stood in victory,
to give out more snacks
from my JOY bag
even though the written rules
state NO EATING ON THE BUS.

Too bad I hadn't reserved
my seat for the rocky return trip.

                       ~

DOUBLE GEVURAH

GEVURAH sh b'GEVURAH

Sephirat HaOmer day 9

DOUBLE GEVURAH

by Joy Krauthammer

Oy vey, double trouble

Double Gevurah and me.

I must face it,

my chores lack discipline.

Schedules ignored,

I'd rather be writing

Psalms and adding art.

I'd rather be immersed

in the joyous, serene presence

of G*D.

Auto license frame announces

I'd rather be...

writing, arting, kayaking

drumming, swimming, gardening.

I'll shut down the computer,

begin my taxes, due this week,

after I put away Pesach gear,

cute jumping frogs,

plagues from the Seder table,

that animate faces.

My psalms for Omer,

filled with joy and passion,

will wait.

Schedule time for paper work. 
   ~

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES

Mother's Day yum gift

Share with friends and family

Makes me feel happy 

- Joy Krauthammer

BUNNY

BUNNY MITZVAH

Quick back yard bunny

slowly chews grassy twigs bare

for the dove's new nest

- Joy Krauthammer

.

WISTERIA

WISTERIA at Gilla's home

- Joy Krauthammer

This season

I was too late for the wisteria at Hare's home.

I was too early for the wisteria at Lake Balboa.

I saw wisteria baby buds on the trellises overlooking the lake.

I saw a little left over faded white wisteria at Karen's home.

I'm glad I witnessed Gilla's beautiful purple wisteria.

When I grew up in NY, my parents grew wisteria, and I loved it.

Wisteria delights my memory, eyes and heart.

photo collage ©  Joy Krauthammer

BLOSSOMING CHERRY TREES

BLOSSOMING CHERRY TREES, Sakuras

- Joy Krauthammer

Blossoming Japanese Cherry trees, Sakuras

So serene, pretty, pink, peaceful,

Return each year.

I anticipate them.

With joy I welcome them.

They are blessings,

Sent here from Japan.

Japanese people travel from LA

And from far to view them.

The elderly especially come,

Those who remember their childhood.

Annually on Mitzvah Day

Jews plant the trees.

So many cultures visit Lake Balboa.

Inter-connected, we all enjoy the scene each spring.

Sometimes a tree dies.

I wonder why...

Sometimes I bring a friend.

One my age, or an elderly friend, 88 years,

We sit and reflect under the purple wisteria arbor.

We walk around the man-made lake.

Pink trees reflect in the water.

I walk off the cement path to come close.

I touch the delicate soft pink petals.

From the ground, I lift fallen flowers.

Walking on uneven grass

I greet the geese, ducks and birds.

Along the way

I photograph.

In the sun, flowers sparkle,

Sometimes skies are grey.

At times, I kayak in the lake.

I have a license to paddle.

I enjoy the tranquil view from the water.

I love the Japanese Cherry trees, the Sakuras

Here in the Valley.

I call others with reminders to visit.

"Maybe 5% Cherry blossoms are open," I report.

"Only 20% blossoms remain!" I warn.

Treasure them. Come.

"There's a lake in the Valley?"

I am questioned.

Visions of beauty, G*d's Splendor to behold.

Let your soul feel full of joy. Come.

The Cherry trees used to open and bloom in April.

Now their show appears earlier, and earlier each year.

The trees have life cycles.

"To everything there is a season." *

Sometimes I see only darker fuscia small buds

And few pretty pink blossoms

Because I arrive too soon;

Sometimes I am too late.

This year I missed them altogether.

A lost opportunity; I was sad.

I hope I learn from my mistake and

Receive G*d's glorious gift to us

Before it is too late.

Sometimes, to enjoy with a loved one,

There is no longer

A "next time".

I share my Cherry trees pictures with you;

Loveliness: sweet, serene, pretty and pink.

It is G*d's divine garden.

I celebrate the awesome Cherry trees

As I do You and you.

I give praise and I am grateful

For the blesSings

In my Garden of Life.

* Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Kohelet)

(Sukkot 2007, 5768)

Poem published by City of Los Angeles, Department of Parks and Recreation. April 2014

Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) and Butterfly, Lake Balboa 

photos © Joy Krauthammer

More Cherry Tree photos:

http://joys-favorite-fotos.blogspot.com/2012/06/lake-balboa_1.html

~ ~ ~ 

Joy's life at LAKE Balboa:

STORY ~ Moe the Turtle:

http://joys-prose.blogspot.com/2010/03/rescuing-moe.html

2 POEMS ~ Cherry Trees:

http://joys-poems.blogspot.com/2012/02/blossoming-cherry-trees.html

http://joys-poems.blogspot.com/2011/03/tis-spring.html

OMER:
http://sephirathaomer.blogspot.com/2010/01/hod-sh-b-chesed-day-29-blossoming.html

http://sephirathaomer.blogspot.com/2011/09/humble-blossom-day-47-hod-sh-bmalchut.html

PHOTOS ~ Lake Balboa

http://joys-favorite-fotos.blogspot.com/2012/06/lake-balboa_1.html

In Japanese culture, the sakura (桜) or cherry blossom is a beloved symbol of hope.

~