Is Purim Therapeutic? A Talk on Joy, Trauma and Healing

Description

“Happiness is connected to how we are with what we have in front of us.”

— Rabbi Rachel Rosenbluth

Falling midway through Adar, Purim celebrates the saving of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire, after a genocidal plot concocted by a rogue court official is thwarted by a brave young Jewish woman named Esther. During Adar, and particularly around Purim, we are meant to “increase in joy” — but in the absence of an “instant happiness” switch, how are we to obey this call, particularly during a period marked by increased stress, worry, and grief?

This episode of the Living Jewishly Podcasts is an instalment of Sacred Time, a podcast about the healing art of the Hebrew calendar. Dr. Elliot Malamet sits down with therapist Idan Lumi and Rabbi Rachel Rosenbluth to explore the Jewish perspective regarding happiness, the importance of community, why material goods won’t lead to true and lasting happiness, and the power of forgiveness.

“Joy is cultivated. It’s not just a feeling state.”

— Rabbi Rachel Rosenbluth

This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌

How we may cultivate joy in the face of so much grief, pain, and tragedy around the world
How we create community and connection through the celebration of Purim
How to turn a painful past experience into a transformative narrative, or a “good past”

Guest:

Idan Lumi is an international therapist, certified in “Beyond The Mind” Israeli therapy, and trained in trauma-informed therapy, imago, Hawaiian healing modalities, and myofascial bodywork. With 15 years of experience, his facilitation weaves eastern and western modalities with contemporary psychological needs to be both profound and practical.

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Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01 Intro

00:50 Elements of joy & cultivating joy

04:58 Happiness & meaningfulness

10:43 Materialism & happiness

17:03 Four Questions & “having a good past”

21:01 Seeing the world with fresh eyes

25:45 Creating community through Purim

29:07 Drinking, substances & escapism

32:46 Relationship between happiness & trauma

37:08 Being present in the moment of grace