My Grandfather's Blessings

The book, My Grandfather's Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., moved me when I read it. Dr. Remen pioneered the recognition of "the role of the spirit in health and the recovery from illness" in western medicine. In this book she shares her perspective on seeing the blessings that exist in both the mundane and challenging aspects of life – a perspective that she developed through her grandfather's teachings, her treatment of cancer patients, and her own experience of living with Crohn's disease for over 45 years. In this day and age, when we are inundated 24/7 by the nastiness reported in the news, Dr. Remen's insights reminded me that beautiful flowers blossom, strengthen, and thrive after the occasional dosing of manure.

My first encounter with Dr. Remen was her interview with Bill Moyers for his series "Healing and the Mind". Her perspective on healing (redefined as 'furthering one's wholeness') resonated with the mind-body belief that pervades my Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy training. Here was a medical doctor that shared my views! It was by chance that a friend recommended a book she was enjoying titled ... oh, she couldn't quite remember, but it was about grandfather's blessings. Much to my surprise, it was written by this same woman whose words, life work and perspective had resonated so deeply with me.

Dr. Remen's grandfather was an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, who late in life became a scholar of the Kabbalah, the mystical teachings of Judaism. The Kabbalist definition of blessing differs from the mainstream Judeo-Christian one. It expands the use of a beautiful word often reserved for infusing the Holy into a person or object, to a grateful, reverent acknowledgment that is voiced whenever and wherever the Holy is encountered. I love being challenged to look beyond the commonly accepted use or perception of a word because I know the result for me will be a broader, clearer outlook.

This is an invitation to other women to join me in an intimate discussion group as we read excerpts from this book over the course of a once-a week meeting for 3 weeks. Another reason I chose this book is that it is conveniently divided into an Introduction, plus 6 sections with their own preface and accompanying stories. Our discussion will focus on themes offered in the Introduction and the preface to each of the six sections. Participants can choose to read as few or as many of the accompanying stories as their personal schedule permits. Come prepared to share what caught your attention.

Check the calendar to find out when we meet next. We will discuss the book as follows:

• Meeting #1: Introduction (pages 1-13) & Preface to Section 1 "Receiving Your Blessings" (pages 17-21)
• Meeting #2: Prefaces to Section 2 "Becoming A Blessing" (pages 81-85), Section 3 "Finding Strength, Taking Refuge" (pages 133-136) & Section 4 "The Web of Blessings" (pages 193-196)
• Meeting #3: Prefaces to Sections 5 "Befriending Life" (pages 247-250) & Section 6 "Restoring the World" (pages 325-328)