Etty Hillesum ~ A Free Bird ~ Jewish Mystics

[@SamaneriJayasara]

For ease of access, my recordings can be found under the relevant headings in my Playlists tab - go to my Home page to find them. Other links people have requested: All of my recordings Google Drive: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VYTr5l7jARi_Kb_aB0Jjjq2RZF9kacK7 Donations for Viveka Hermitage: paypal.me/VivekaHermitage Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4mrR5M8mS7FlGJYAfk7sEr Patreon: www.patreon.com/jayasara Viveka Hermitage website: www.vivekahermitage.com Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/wisdom-of-the-masters/id1550828138

[@zhulia]

Thank you

[@barbarasfdavis]

Ven. Jayasara, there is no voice in the world that would better suit Etty's words. You make her diary come alive. I posted this link today on facebook, telling friends, "If you want true medicine for today (Nov. 5, 2024) and coming days, you may find it here--as I do." Isn't it grand that Etty was a true Buddhist, a Bodhisattva of the highest order?!

[@SamaneriJayasara]

"How rash to assert that humans shape their own destiny. All we can do is determine our inner responses. You cannot know another's inner life from their circumstances. To know that you must know their dreams, their relationships, their moods, their disappointments, their sicknesses, and their death. A large group of us were crowded into the Gestapo hall, and at that moment the circumstances of all our lives were the same. All of us occupied the same space, the men behind the desk no less than those about to be questioned. What distinguished each of us was only our inner attitude. We human beings cause monstrous conditions, but precisely because we cause them we soon learn to adapt ourselves to them. Only if we become such that we can no longer adapt ourselves, only if, deep inside, we rebel against every kind of evil, will we be able to put a stop to it. While everything within us does not yet scream out in protest, so long will we find ways of adapting ourselves, and the horrors will continue. I really see no other solution than to turn inwards and to root out all the rottenness there. I no longer believe that we can change anything in the world until we first change ourselves. And that seems to me the only lesson to be learned. Each of us must turn inward and destroy in himself all that he thinks he ought to destroy in others. To live fully, outwardly and inwardly, not to ignore the external reality for the sake of the inner life, or the reverse, that's quite a task. Nazi barbarism gives rise to an identical barbarism in us that would proceed with the same methods, if we were able to act today as we would like. We must internally reject this incivility; we cannot cultivate that hatred in ourselves because otherwise the world will not come out of the mud by a single step. Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it toward others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world. Suffering has always been with us; does it really matter in what form it comes? All that matters is how we bear it and how we fit it into our lives. I know about the great human suffering that is accumulating, I know about persecution and oppression… I know all this and I continue to face every bit of reality that is imposed on me. And in an unexpected moment, left to my own devices - I suddenly find myself leaning against Life's bare chest and her arms are so soft and enfold me, and I can't even describe the beating of her heart: as faithful as if ever before. And I thought, How strange this is. It's war. There are concentration camps. Little cruelties pile up on top of little cruelties. Life, with all its secrets, was close to me, as if I could touch it… And there I felt immensely safe and protected. If an SS man were to kick me to death, I would still look up at his face and ask myself with terrified amazement and human interest: My God brother, what terrible thing has happened to you in your life, that you resort to such things? I don't think I have nerves of steel, far from it, but I can certainly stand up to things. I am not afraid to look suffering straight in the eyes. By 'coming to terms with life' I mean: the reality of death has become a definite part of my life; my life has, so to speak, been extended by death, by my looking death in the eye and accepting it, by accepting destruction as part of life and no longer wasting my energies on fear of death or the refusal to acknowledge its inevitability. It sounds paradoxical: by excluding death from our life we cannot live a full life, and by admitting death into our life we enlarge and enrich it. Ought we not, from time to time, open ourselves up to cosmic sadness? Give your sorrow all the space and shelter in yourself that is its due, for if everyone bears his grief honestly and courageously, the sorrow that now fills the world will abate. But if you do not clear a decent shelter for your sorrow, and instead reserve most of the space inside you for hatred and thoughts of revenge-from which new sorrows will be born for others-then sorrow will never cease in this world and will multiply. I believe that I know and share the many sorrows and sad circumstances that a human being can experience, but I do not cling to them, I do not prolong such moments of agony. They pass through me, like life itself, as a broad, eternal stream, they become part of that stream, and life continues. And as a result, all my strength is preserved. As life becomes harder and more threatening, it also becomes richer, because the fewer expectations we have, the more good things of life become unexpected gifts that we accept with gratitude. A desire to kneel down sometimes pulses through my body, or rather it is as if my body has been meant and made for the act of kneeling. Sometimes, in moments of deep gratitude, kneeling down becomes an overwhelming urge, head deeply bowed, hands before my face. My red and yellow roses have opened completely. While I sat there in that hell, they just quietly stood there blooming. Many say: how can you still think of flowers. They are as real as all the misery. There is room for many things in one life. And I have so much space, my God! Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths, or the turning inwards in prayer for five short minutes. Become simple and live simply, not only within yourself but also in your everyday dealings. Don’t make ripples all around you, don’t try to be interesting, keep your distance, be honest, fight the desire to be thought fascinating by the outside world. We have to become as simple and as wordless as the growing corn or the falling rain. We must just be. Listen to what is going on inside you. Thinking gets you nowhere. It may be a fine and noble aid in academic studies, but you can't think your way out of emotional difficulties. That takes something altogether different. You have to make yourself passive then, and just listen. Reestablish contact with a slice of eternity. Before, I always lived in anticipation . . . that it was all a preparation for something else, something "greater," more "genuine." But that feeling has dropped away from me completely. I live here and now, this minute, this day, to the full, and the life is worth living. I don’t want to be anything special. I only want to try to be true to that in me which seeks to fulfill its promise. That I should die next week, I would still be able to sit at my desk all week and study with perfect equanimity, for I know now that life and death make a meaningful whole. Every day I shall put my papers in order and every day I shall say farewell. And the real farewell, when it comes, will only be a small outward confirmation of what has been accomplished within me from day to day. And now that I don't want to own anything anymore and am free, now I suddenly own everything, now my inner riches are immeasurable. Sometimes my day is crammed full of people and talk and yet I have the feeling of living in utter peace and quiet. And the tree outside my window, in the evenings, is a greater experience than all those people put together. I have the feeling of something secret deep inside me that no one knows about. When you have an interior life, it certainly doesn’t matter what side of the prison fence you’re on. . . I’ve already died a thousand times in a thousand concentration camps. I know everything. There is no new information to trouble me. One way or another, I already know everything. And yet, I find this life beautiful and rich in meaning. At every moment. Living and dying, sorrow and joy, the blisters on my feet and the jasmine behind the house, the persecution, the unspeakable horrors: it is all as one in me, and I accept it all as one mighty whole and begin to grasp it better if only for myself, without being able to explain to anyone else how it all hangs together. I wish I could live for a long time so that one day I may know how to explain it, and if I am not granted that wish, well, then somebody else will perhaps do it, carry on from where my life has been cut short. And that is why I must try to live a good and faithful life to my last breath: so that those who come after me do not have to start all over again, need not face the same difficulties. Isn't that doing something for future generations? Everywhere things are both very good and very bad at the same time. The two are in balance, everywhere and always. I never have the feeling that I have got to make the best of things; everything is fine just as it is. Every situation, however miserable, is complete in itself and contains the good as well as the bad. Despite everything, life is full of beauty and meaning. I hate nobody. I am not embittered. And once the love of mankind has germinated in you, it will grow without measure. Never give up, never escape, take everything in, and perhaps suffer, that's not too awful either, but never, never give up. There are moments when I feel like a little bird in a big protective hand. Yesterday my heart was a trapped bird. Now the bird is free again and flies unhindered over everything. Today the sun shines. And now I'll pack my bread and be on my way." *An Interrupted Life: The Diaries of Etty Hillesum 1941-1943*

[@rebeccablossom9823]

Humbled 🙇🏼‍♀️

[@andrewdyrda8012]

Incredibly truthful. The Unity of All can shine from any point location, at any time. It's joyous it happened to this person at that moment. It's beyond certain there have been many such instances, in many similarly horror filled backgrounds throughout time and space. Each one an unrecorded blessing. The little matchstick girl.

[@DilbagSingh-sp2yp]

"Yesterday my heart was a trapped bird, now the bird is free again and flies unhindered over everything" Samaneri dear, I don't know how, you keep hitting the right spot exactly at the right time, ah, god thanks over and over, for being graced with these sweet ressurances .

[@tonycrook2955]

Beautiful expression. Thank you

[@peterlanges3944]

I have been locked into hatred and a sense of wanting revenge against the people who are determining the course of world events for quite some time now. Today I felt I was in hell and unable to break out, it was awful. So I prayed for help and my prayers have been answered, thanks Sister for all that you do, Pete from Canada.

[@mattfoote4293]

What an incredible expression of courage, beauty and surrender. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@PradeepDasarathan]

Thanks for another wonderful reading Sister. Without truly understanding suffering, none is ever free. ❤

[@peacelovejoy8786]

Words fail me Epitome of grace under fire⭐🥀

[@Juliette-P]

Ohhhh Etty Hillesum. I've read her book. What an incredible unique light she was. I haven't even listened yet but thank you Samaneri for sharing her voice and letting her light shine onwards ❤️🕯️✨

[@rebeccablossom9823]

😔 ❤ 🙇🏼‍♀️ I hope her soul is somewhere wonderful 🥺🙏🏻

[@tomward5293]

Just this week I read her book as a result of this video. It's the most beautiful, tragic and profoundly spiritual book I've ever read. Thank you Samaneri for introducing this person so wonderfully.

[@shamanverse]

Every where and always her beautiful radiance. Gracias Maestra.

[@upandoutie]

So impactful, raw and honest. I needed to hear this as I am struggling/working with equanimity in these times. Beautiful reading. Thank you

[@blairrobins8871]

Samaneri Jayasara, thank you so much for bringing to life this profound teaching, this incredibly brave act of bearing witness to one’s own and the worlds suffering. Especially at this time. I am Jewish, and I watch in horror at the unfolding destruction of Gaza perpetrated by the Israeli state, and of course the loss of precious Jewish lives. I know this isn’t the place for political point-making and I apologize for bringing it up. But Etty’s words are a clarion call for all of us to examine our conscience and act in accordance with our highest values. So again my heartfelt thanks. Keep doing what you’re doing sister, I love your videos!!

[@rahjtaren5769]

Your words are deeply appropriate and I for one, appreciate them beyond measure. Thank you!

[@Brittle_buddha]

Bless you for this, most powerful remembering. People inevitably bring up Hitler when you are discussing these delicate issues such as relative good and evil vs Absolute good. To have this message of awakening to self as eternal and perfect peace, in the midst of that seeming suffering and collective unconsciousness, is the purist and most potent medicine 🙏♥️💐

[@lisamansfield3848]

She rode the very pulse of life. Love and wisdom, courage and detachment.

[@nikkifrye7599]

How expressive and powerful your words! are you a writer?

[@lisamansfield3848]

@@nikkifrye7599 yes.

[@nikkifrye7599]

@@lisamansfield3848 Beautiful!❣️❣️❣️☮️

[@ohajioff]

Unfathomable beauty in this. Thank you so much. ❤

[@premaroberts1546]

Deeply humbling & agonisingly beautiful in its profound starkness & realisation. Thank you Etty. Thank you Ayya, 🕊

[@RuskiyStandardRaw]

Thanks for showing us love. ✡️🇮🇱🕎 Love your page and the beautiful work you do for this world.

[@Juliette-P]

Now I have listened. It is such a beautiful piece. Tears are rolling from my eyes this whole time. So much wisdom. Oh how she must be touching the hearts of many, now, after her death. I feel a deep connection to her. Thank you for sharing this with your beautiful voice and energy 🙏🏼

[@christelle1435]

🙏🧡💛💚💙💜

[@Jon_Francis]

I fell asleep listening to another meditation and woke up to A Free Bird. I wasn't fully awake which might have let the words and thoughts sink deeper. This reading gave me such profound insight. I was truly overwhelmed. My sincere thanks to you and everything you've given us through your Readings and wisdom, Samaneri. Peace to you.

[@otterrivers3765]

Hi Jayasara. I'm still listening after all this time. I just want to say again how much I appreciate your offerings and I'm really gratified to see it growing and reaching such a large audience!

[@pchabanowich]

A cocoon of thorns... truths hard to bear fearlessly borne - thank you for this tender reading.💐

[@francesNothing333]

How profound Etty's awareness.... that enabled her to feel immensely safe and protected, that allowed her to live and love as freely as a bird. 🕊️ Am reminded of another great soul, Anne Frank, who, despite very similar circumstances, enjoyed the winged life. 🕊️ Thank 💓 you, dear Sister Jayasara, for such a timely and perfect posting. I pray 🙏 our brothers and sisters in Ukraine free themselves by following her exemplary Awareness. 🕊️

[@michelletulik3804]

Wow! What an incredible being! Thank you for sharing her journals and her words

[@marianrose1259]

I keep coming back to this and listening and my heart weeps for it all🌟🕯🧡🙏🏻🧡🕯🌟

[@christelle1435]

🙏🧡💛💚💙💜

[@TulipIris7244]

So very beautiful, thank you. “Each of us must turn inward and destroy in ourself all that we think we ought to destroy in others.”

[@crazyawakening]

Over the top fearlessness, I am listening… ❤

[@steveminto]

Seems like l lived so long in a single, objective life. Thanks for shining your light into both of my lives. 🌞

[@guergueskamell]

how deeply I am grateful to you and to these diaries which help me find my inner peace and my inner self

[@marktanney3347]

I had no idea what to expect when I listened to this. As it turns out it was so powerful and inspirational, and unique. In a way I felt like I was listening to an incarnation of Nelson Mandela. And as always, a big part of the whole experience is the way you speak and present and become the material and the subject person. I don't know how you do that. So thanks very much.

[@katnip198]

God bless you for sharing Etty's life with us. She is a Saint. She shows us what a life in God/Truth looks like. Samaneri Jayasara, you are a servant of God sending us this wonderful spiritual food.

[@mikabearcoaching]

What incredible power, beauty and commitment to her inner life, not letting the flame of love or artistry die ❤

[@jannie6359]

If i find that little quiet flame in my heart that both gives and forgives, i may be able to make peace with some of this earthly sorrow. Find that little flame and count on it. Really count on it. If im aware of a situation before the fact, perhaps i can Give. If its after the fact, the only option is to Forgive.

[@christelle1435]

So deeply touched💖 So deeply grateful 🙏 This is healing and inspiring at a cosmic level. Love and blessings to all.

[@kenhazlin5860]

What an amazing Soul! Thank you for sharing!

[@rul4522]

Thank you Samaneri for putting up Etty! Can’t read her book anymore (which I have) because all i can do is cry.

[@michellesmith2824]

Wow!! ❤ What a deeply moving and inspiring perspective of life that is possible for each one of us. Fly little bird, fly!! ❤ xx

[@Amila108]

So beautiful. Much love, peace and appreciation for sharing ❤️🕉️☮️☮️☮️🙏🕯️

[@franciscosifuentes3007]

never never never give up and thank you SJ

[@annettemorriskeane]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@Devotionalpoet]

Absolutely astonishing, her beautiful depiction of union with the Divine considering the harsh harsh circumstances she was in at the time. Thank you for this beautiful reading. 🙏🏻❤️✨

[@clairegittoes7759]

Etty Hillesum is amazing. More please🙏

[@Flying_Dutchman66]

Wonderful spirit.

[@devinramos6317]

Wow!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@onlymelodic109]

A wonderful... Life Interrupted.

[@Ann-pk4js]

Incredibly beautiful true compassion❤

[@juansilva6225]

❤Maravilloso ! Gracias🙏

[@denisemorales1522]

Suffering, poetry, beauty ❤❤❤

[@rashlion]

What a beautiful soul, but all souls are beautiful, they ask for nothing but give everything

[@tmAcorn]

perfect timing-

[@bubbleteatree3210]

Oh my God...I bow to you Beloved one

[@guynouri]

Freedom❤🎉

[@mkartmkart6335]

Would loved to hear you read some western philosophers too. Especially Kant and Leibniz...

[@seanoneill2098]

Thank you.

[@Pilgrimsrummet]

AMAZING! Glory be unto our God.

[@charlotteweaver-gelzer515]

Most wonderful.

[@tonycrook2955]

Mazel Tov!!!

[@aadityabhatia2776]

I need the text~ I was not able to find that via Google searches. Please can someone help me out! Much appreciated in advance!

[@MilaRadisic-f7g]

dear dear Etty

[@ravitmond9573]

I love you

[@chandradasasapukotanage1126]

A taste of sublime THERI GATHA

[@mk-ue9tx]

🙏 ❤

[@raywoodward8199]

♥

[@amakhija1]

🙏🙏🙏

[@marianrose1259]

🌟🕯❤️🙏🏻❤️🕯🌟

[@stuart8502]

💙💜

[@ThisUnifiedField]

❤‍🔥🙏❤‍🔥

[@independencemp3]

An Interior Life

[@independencemp3]

How iT All hangs Together…

[@doresnalwanga5499]

❤🎉

[@doresnalwanga5499]

This is Still irrelevant today and why we can see evil but we can’t stop it!!!

[@SamaneriJayasara]

Yes, I think you meant to write "relevant". Etty realised that ultimately we can only stop the evil within ourselves. But this is not separate from the outside. She had profound realisations and insights as she faced into "suffering" that enabled her to understand this Reality.

[@jannie6359]

DearFriend, Did she make it out of the camp alive?

[@mk-ue9tx]

@@jannie6359 read the description. 🙏

[@jannie6359]

@@mk-ue9tx , i couldnt find it. New u tube set up.

[@MJ-kd7dp]

Our spiritual nature is dualistic, we cannot root out all within us that is self preserving. A paradigm for us to consider is that it is only the Resurrected Life of Christ Jesus within the Christian who can live the Christian Life.

[@senmire]

🙏🙏🙏❤️☀️💫

[@riverryebluegrass7935]

💃