Pay Attention!
In class we discussed different definitions of the universal purpose of religion. One idea presented was that religion teaches us how to behave with human and non human beings. While others claimed that religion is not about teaching people ethics that this is more a realm of cultural context and part of human nature. Therefore the definition that seemed the most reasonable to me is that religion is about cultivating cosmic sensitivity. The text Shulhan Shel Arba by Rabbenu Bahya ben Asher a medieval Jewish mystic and translated by Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus presents its readers with a guide to cultivating cosmic sensitivity with the alter of the table. He presents four gates of knowledge. These gates work to explain 1) the blessings over the table and other obligations, 2) an explanation of the nature of eating and how this prepares one for their life purpose 3) ethics and table etiquette and 4) an explantation of the meal to come.
Throughout the text Rabbenu Bahya ben Asher goes into great detail, so much so that one could criticize his rules as being too specific. How is any sane person supposed to keep all of the rules straight when there are so many different rules depending on specific circumstances? Why is it so important that we know and remember rules such as if you are a guest, you cannot give the gifts of the host to his son lest he mistake his son for a thief? Sure if the host does make the mistake, and responds rashly by killing his son which in turn bring his wife to jump from the roof and the host to follow suit then one should probably remember. But this is just one very specific instance and a host today would probably not respond as rashly, you might say. However if we look at these detailed instructions as a guide to cultivating cosmic sensitivity and awareness, the value of these instructions remains. When an individual learns to be more conscious of the effect of their actions and conduct their lives gracefully and with good manners in the context of their culture but also in any given cultural context they begin to be more aware of themselves and the present moment. They begin to be more awake and develop a stronger sense of inner vision. What better way to practice this than at the table every day?
Other religions use the table and eating as a way to cultivate cosmic sensitivity too. For example here is a video of Thich Nhat Hahn giving instruction on mindful eating:
Throughout the text Rabbenu Bahya ben Asher goes into great detail, so much so that one could criticize his rules as being too specific. How is any sane person supposed to keep all of the rules straight when there are so many different rules depending on specific circumstances? Why is it so important that we know and remember rules such as if you are a guest, you cannot give the gifts of the host to his son lest he mistake his son for a thief? Sure if the host does make the mistake, and responds rashly by killing his son which in turn bring his wife to jump from the roof and the host to follow suit then one should probably remember. But this is just one very specific instance and a host today would probably not respond as rashly, you might say. However if we look at these detailed instructions as a guide to cultivating cosmic sensitivity and awareness, the value of these instructions remains. When an individual learns to be more conscious of the effect of their actions and conduct their lives gracefully and with good manners in the context of their culture but also in any given cultural context they begin to be more aware of themselves and the present moment. They begin to be more awake and develop a stronger sense of inner vision. What better way to practice this than at the table every day?
Other religions use the table and eating as a way to cultivate cosmic sensitivity too. For example here is a video of Thich Nhat Hahn giving instruction on mindful eating:
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