Rabbi Akiva taught, “Had the Torah not been given, we could live our lives by the Song of Songs.”
For years I have immersed myself in this holy text — learning its language, receiving its passion, and entering into the reality it describes: the giving and receiving of Love. Though the Song of Songs describes a very human relationship, most importantly the relationship with God, that Mystery that shines forth from within and beyond this world. When Love flows freely between us and that Great Mystery, the whole world is watered and nourished.
I have lived with the question, “What would it mean to live my life by the Song of Songs?” Listening for its instruction, opening to its wisdom, I allow myself to be commanded by its voice.
- Thou shalt explore intimacy, allowing thyself to be drawn by Mystery and be open to the power of yearning for God. (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 1.)
- Thou shalt be fully engaged, enjoying what is before thee now, and learn to perceive the perfection beneath it and behind this seemingly imperfect world. (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 2.)
- Thou shalt cultivate generosity in appreciation of the beauty that is before thee. (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 3.)
- Thou shalt truly experience pleasure and surrender to the intoxication of Love, occasionally losing ‘control.’ (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 4.)
- Thou shalt experience and know thy complete purity and innocence and yet pay seasoned and careful attention to the timing of Love. (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 5.)
- Thou shalt be in conversation with Nature and through that conversation explore the Mystery of Love and Death. (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 6.)
- Thou shalt treasure, protect and Honor the gifts given to thee and allow thyself to be addressed personally by God through the gifts of this world. (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 7.)
- Thou shalt invite all the winds of the world to blow upon thee and receive each gust of change as a summons to strengthen your commitment to fully waking up. (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 8.)
- Thou shalt discern the uniqueness in each opportunity for love and risk everything in order to rise to the challenge of Love. (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 9.)
- Thou shalt play… with enthusiasm and curiosity… while listening attentively for the voice of the Shechinah. (For an interpretation, see SHS Commandment 10.)