Dedicated to the loving memory of my beloved teacher, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi who left his body on July 3, 2014.

In this week's parshah we are given a powerful purification ritual, a cleansing after having contact with death. Thus our tradition holds that an encounter with death creates an "impurity". Rather than the colloquial meaning of that term, such "impurity" can be understood as a state of consciousness that interferes with or distracts us from connection to the Divine or from walking our path intentionally and with our full attention.

There are many thoughts, ideas, experiences in our daily lives, which cause a similar interference or distraction; perhaps just simply navigating life in these times. Our minds are so filled with activities, concerns, ideas. We are subject to a constant barrage of information and anxiety-provoking stories. Our cups are full to the brim. Where is the space for holiness to enter and how do we cultivate the capacity to be the change we want to see in the world?

It is by emptying the cup. One way to do that is to create rituals of purification for ourselves. By that I don't mean the complicated red heifer type but rather through consistent practices that provide the opportunity to take note of what is happening in our minds and bodies.

There is another clue in this week's Torah portion: the story of Balak and Balaam. The opening of eyes and changing of perspective that allows for a curse to be transformed into blessing. When we pay attention to ourselves in that way, it allows us to discern the wholesome from the unwholesome and to make choices. We can even choose to transform the curse of negative thinking into the blessing of thoughts that move us forward in our lives. It doesn't have to be elaborate or time-consuming--we can simply pause throughout our days, notice, take some conscious breaths, and push the inner reset button.

There is much tikkun needed in our world. It is incumbent upon us to build our internal capacity, to empty our cups and make space for connection and creativity. This is the role of spiritual practice: opening up to the Ground of All Being. Known by different names and understood in different ways, it is the ultimate source of energy that we need for inspiration, courage and perseverance.