New Archive:
April 2001 Issue
The Eternal
Journey--Seattle Style
Rabbi Ted Falcon and the Rise of Jewish Mysticism
By
David
C. Roper
MIn the last three decades, Americans have begun to rediscover the mystical, inner dimensions of the world’s ancient spiritual traditions. Along with Buddhism, Sufism, and other traditions, Judaism is experiencing a profound renaissance.
Once obscure, Kabbalistic symbols such as the "Tree of Life" are cropping up all over. And while the baby boomers have served as the pioneers of America's New Mysticism, religion's new look is resonating in especially powerfully ways with people under 40. Hip cynicism may still be the official ideology of younger Americans, but it's starting to wear thin.
Since for many young Americans, the stale formalism of "old school" religion has never really been an option, the depth and complexity (or is it simplicity?) of the mystical, rapturous approach to life is starting to catch fire.
Mysticism offers a wafer-thin path between the tight confines of orthodoxy and the "religion lite" of congregations that trot out a warm 'n fuzzy brand of secular humanism and dust it with a little "god talk" to keep up with the latest lingo.
Just as all the stereotypes of "left coast" culture would predict, mystical groups have developed the most visible presence in L. A., the San Francisco Bay Area, and up into Oregon and Western Washington. Situated on the rolling hills of Seattle’s lush Eastside, the thriving congregation of Bet Alef Meditational Synagogue is actively exploring these verdant new spiritual vistas.
When you walk into the synagogue for a Friday night Shabbat service, the warm, positive energy in the air is palpable. The congregation's singing group Tiferet (Hebrew for "heart space") opens the service with vibrant, welcoming music. Rabbi Ted Falcon guides the congregation through the service deftly, weaving in gentle guidance for newcomers.
The service is richly stocked with traditional Hebrew songs and celebration of the life passages of the congregation's members. Enveloped within the more traditional congregational activities, Rabbi Falcon situates guided meditations, sometimes several in one service.
He has a quiet intensity about him--and tremendous flexibility. One moment he's waxing rhapsodic about spiritual imagery--the next he's cracking a wry joke about the presidential election.
The congregation also incorporates chanting and participatory singing into the Shabbat services. And while the liberal social priorities of Reform Judaism find their way into the services from time to time, the shrillness of heavy-handed radicalism is nowhere to be found.
The depth and resonance of the services at Bet Alef (www.betalef.org) reflect Ted Falcon's deep engagement with many of the critical spiritual and cultural trends of modern American life. Ordained as a Reform Rabbi in 1968, Ted refused to ignore the spiritual ferment going on all around him, and more importantly, within him.
He explored Eastern meditation techniques with well-known teachers such as Ram Dass. And yet while he investigated meditative practices within other traditions, Ted chose not to abandon his commitment to Judaism. As he delved deeper and deeper into meditative practice, he also undertook a closer study of sacred Jewish scriptures.
Ted discovered that
the concept of meditation was historically represented in Judaism by the
phrase hitbod'dut, or "being alone with oneself." His research
into Jewish tradition helped inspire Ted to write a practical meditation
guide Rooted in the Tree of Life, and to record guided meditations
that build on the same imagery and intentions. Ted has also received the
ultimate Jewish pop culture honor: he was invited to pen the new book
Judaism for Dummies with co-author David Blatner. Surely this is
a sign for people with eyes to see--the Kabbalah is slipping into the
mainstream. Along with his friends and colleagues around the world, Rabbi
Falcon is helping to recast and reorient Jewish spiritual practices to
help meet the needs of an increasingly thirsty spiritual community. As
mystical teachers often emphasize, Ted suggests that this quest is eternal,
and while the cultural contexts and spiritual methodologies evolve, the
goal has never changed. Drawing closer to the Truth, closer to our true
selves, closer to God--this is a calling that beckons to us throughout
our lives, even though we experience the call in many different guises.
Rabbi Falcon refuses to let traditional Jewish holy-days (Ted's usage)
linger in outdated language and imagery. He gives talks on the "Kabbalah
of Passover" and links the celebration of the holiday to the personal
journey from enslavement to liberation from within. As Ted explains, "each
year, Passover comes to remind us that there are further levels of growth
available to us. This is the excitement as well as the frustration of
our lives--there is always more to do." The empty spaces within each of
us, the qualities we reject and try to cover up--each one offers an opportunity
to grow, to expand our awareness and encompass more and more of the incalculably
vast experience we call Reality.
An avid student of the world's mystical traditions, David C. Roper is currently finishing up his doctorate in American History through Indiana University (Bloomington). He lives in Seattle, Washington.
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