"Words are always inadequate to state what we want to say. When praying, breathe deeply. Our lives are framed by our breath. The awareness of our mortality is the litmus test of spiritual maturity. We must take time to focus and concentrate before prayer."

Those of us who attended the services at Kol HaNeshema that evening saw how beautifully he translates this point of view into the Servic . It began without words. He began tapping on the Bima and chanting a nigun. Within seconds conversation ceased and everyone joined in. There were 20 minutes of niguns and quiet, rhythmic singing welcoming Shabbat before the Barechu.

Early hassids would prepare for an hour, pray for an hour, and wind down for an hour, three times per day. If you spend nine hours a day in prayer it leaves time for little else. The message is to arrange to focus when praying.
 

He went to a Yoga retreat, back in hi "seeking" days. The participants were Rabbinic students. They were required to be on "committed silence" for two weeks. The reaction of the group over time was striking. On days 1 to 4 of week 1, there were hand signals galore. Days 4 to 7 facial gestures were popular. In week two, they were withdrawing into themselves, and by the end of the week hugging themselves.
 

The big difference between Buddhism and Judaism is that in the Buddhism, one is encouraged to withdraw into oneself; while in Judaism, we are a community with responsibilities and obligations.
 

Once when Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman was sitting and meditating Yoga style, his prayer book was blown open by a breeze coming through the room. He figured he had better take a look. The book had fallen open to a prayer about breath. He knew it was time to learn more about Jewish prayer.