Pure olive oil has become a favorite of those concerned about
their consumption of healthy fats, mindful that our health is being steadily
eroded through the clogging of arteries and soaring cholesterol levels, and that
our sedentary lives and stressful times further conspire to
undermine our well-being.
In Jewish mysticism, olive oil is a symbol of esoteric depth and
insight. The spiritual writings wryly observe that the oil is only
extracted through squeezing and compressing the olive, and then
straining to remove the impurities. Ironically, it is destruction of
the fruit that produces this high quality product. The oil can then
be used to produce a steady flame from a wick that draws on this
pure fuel.
The oil represents wisdom. Wisdom is the product of life's
experience coupled with mind growth. Wisdom is the "fuel" for
balanced and appropriate interpretation of life's circumstances and
wise expression in that context. Everyone experiences challenges in
life. These are at times painful. Like the olive, life often
squeezes us, sapping the body and mind of its strengths. But the
wise person will recognize, often in retrospect, how the experience
has facilitated growth and development. Even the pain may have
possessed some redeeming features.
Wisdom is the fuel of our growth. Wisdom is the source of
appropriate responses to adversity. It allows the experience to
become one of enlightenment. If the person is the wick for the flame
of insight, then wisdom is the oil that fuels the wick. As long as
there is wisdom, the body-wick will produce enlightenment in the
world and immediate environment alike. But just as a wick burns up
in the absence of its fuel, so is there many a person whose
foolishness and lack of wisdom destroys him. Such people expend
effort mindlessly, selfishly, engaging in "user-friendly"
relationships that do not recognize that that a relationship is a
transaction of giving, not taking. Such people "burn up" meaningless
life in despair, and through the anger that consumes through
frustration.
Life is about expenditure of time and effort -- but through the
energy of wisdom. The effort of overcoming life's tests may batter
the body somewhat, squeeze the "fruit" of our being, but the
resultant "oil" can become the wisdom that fuels our lives into
meaning, mastery, and fulfillment.
MASTERY: How do you respond to people's indifference, to
people's non-caring and callous behaviors? It rankles you and
makes your blood boil? You have just received a pass mark of three
out of ten. So far it's all hot air. What transforms "hot air" into
wise response is wise consciousness. A response is useful only to
the extent that it generates change or the potential of change. If
that consciousness is lacking there is a real danger that the
response smacks of self-interest or pure venting. When next
confronted by another's "mis-behavior", pause, strategize, and
point you vision to positive outcome.
MEDITATION: Focus on a lit candle. Note the gentle flicker
of the flame as it yearns to rise higher and escape the wick upon
which it depends for existence. Only while the wax produces the fuel, can the
flame produce light. Become very aware of this circuit -- wax, wick,
flame, and light. Internalize this sequence into your life: wisdom,
body, consciousness, and enlightenment. Allow this pattern to become
your template of daily living.
Follow-up resources: I Love You/ I Hate You
and The Ohr Hashem Meditation (audio) available at Rabbi Wolf's Website (see link
below).
