HONORING TWO HOLY OCCASIONS:
PASSOVER AND EASTER
 This is a very special month; one that can help us re-focus on the important things in life and on the very things that keep us from focusing on the gift that we have. The gift I speak of is not necessarily material, e.g., homes, cars, jobs, our health, or even family. While all of these are gifts that some of us have (some more than others), what I'm speaking of is the gift of being able achieve Inner Peace and Freedom, which each human has the means to do. Both of the high Holy occasions this month are meant to bring Wholeness into our lives. That can occur when we remember to balance the outer world with our inner world...the world of activities (outer) with the world of Spirit (inner). In essence, Passover is celebrated to help remind us that Yahweh freed the Jewish slaves from bondage in Egypt. Easter teaches us how we may be reborn in Spirit and freed from bondage. Bondage may, at times, be seen as the outer world; although it is something that we must live in, at times we become enslaved to it. Both of these two sacred holidays can be instrumental in helping us see where we might have become unbalanced and, thus, fractured, losing the Wholeness in our lives today. The egg is a symbol used in both Holy days. The egg symbolizes rebirth to the Christians; to Jews it represents mourning. In essence, both interpretations honor life. Life is precious and here on this plane, it is a balancing act where only spirituality can bring us lasting Freedom and Peace. I once was told that Spirituality is the process of merging the human with the Divine. Moses came to take the Jews out of slavery and in to The Promised Land. Jesus of Nazareth came to give new life, to show us how to live a spiritual life, and free us from the bondage of illusion, sin, Maya...there are so many names for that which we become enslaved to. Jesus did not come to start a new religion, but to help bring the essence of Judaism back into lives of those who, at that time were bound by another type of bondage, i.e., bondage of self, rules, rituals that had lost their meaning, their essence, which was Love God First. So today, how easy it is to become dependent on others, on work, activities, substances, "toys," etc., for our peace or happiness. We have no time for that which brings lasting Peace... that which is Absolute Truth. How is it that our "To Do" list is more important than our prayers of gratitude; that we don't take the time to smell the flowers (Essence of God); that the time we spend on our exercising is more important than the time we give ourselves for centering ourselves in Spirit? Please don't misunderstand. I have my "To do" list and it helps me keep focused, in line and, sometimes, even on time! I make time for my exercise. I try to keep my "temple/body" fit and healthy. And without working very hard, I wouldn't be able to pay my bills, enjoy vacations, or treat my family to nice things. All those thing are very important to me, but what helps me keep balanced, what helps enable me to smell the flowers (see God's essence all around me), is Keeping the God of my understanding first. So during the month of April, please visit, read and comment on the written and video blogs that you receive. In the meantime, Happy Pesach and Happy Easter! Peace and Love. Namaste, Michael | 
On Saturday, April 7, from 10am to 3pm, Michael will lead a
Michael will be a featured speaker on Spiritual Recovery at the Awaken Wellness Fair on Sunday, April 29 at the Doubletree Hotel, 455 South Broadway, Tarrytown, New York, 10591.
