Week 6 of the Omer: Yesod (Foundation)

Week 6 of the Omer: Yesod (Foundation) - Foundation, Bonding

• Without bonding no feeling can be truly realized.
• Bonding means connecting, being attached to another person or experience.
• Bonding creates a channel between giver and receiver.
• Bonding establishes trust -- trust in ourselves and trust in others.
• Without bonding and nurturing we can never fully realize ourselves or fully be ourselves.
• Bonding is the foundation of the human experience, encompassing and incorporating all the emotions.

Day 36: Sundown Tuesday May 8 to sundown Wednesday May 9, 2007 - Lovingkindness

• You cannot bond without love.
• Love establishes a reliable base upon which bonding can build.

Day 37: Sundown Wednesday May 9 to sundown Thursday May 10, 2007 - Discipline

• Bonding must be done with discretion and with careful consideration.
• Respect each individual's space.
• Am I too dependent on the person or experiences I bond with?
• Are other people or my experiences too dependent on me?

Day 38: Sundown Thursday May 10 to sundown Friday May 11, 2007 - Compassion

• Feel your friend's pain and empathize with them.
• Do I withdraw when I'm uncomfortable with my friend's troubles?

Day 39: Sundown Friday May 11 to sundown Saturday May 12, 2007 - Endurance

• True bonding has the ability to withstand challenges and setbacks.
• Am I totally committed?
• How much will I endure, and how ready am I to fight to maintain this bond?
• Am I willing to confront the challenges that obstruct the bond?

Day 40: Sundown Saturday May 12 to sundown Sunday May 13, 2007 - Humility

• You own desires and needs separate you from others.
• Appreciate another person.
• Healthy bonding is the union of two distinct people, with independent personalities, joined for a higher purpose than satisfying their own needs.

Day 41: Sundown Sunday May 13 to sundown Monday May 14, 2007 - Bonding

• Every person needs and has the capacity to bond with other people.
• Do I have difficulty bonding in all areas or only in certain ones?
• Am I too critical and find fault as an excuse for not bonding?
• Learn to recognize the voice of our soul within that is nurturing and loving.
• Experience other people's hearts and souls.
• Actualize the bond in constructive deeds.
• Commit a designated time each day or week to work constructively with another person or experience.

Day 42: Sundown Monday May 14 to sundown Tuesday May 15, 2007 - Nobility

• Nurture and strengthen your own dignity and the dignity of one with whom you bond.
• Are my personality and qualities balanced within my bond and with another person or experience?