who are you to begin such a journey?

traveling requires a map. a map is made by those who have braved the unknown and carved out a way. the idea behind this journey is not destinational, rather it is experiential; it is to experience what others have gone through deep inside their being. where does this inner trek begin?

The beginning of all journeys is separation. You’ve got to leave somewhere to go somewhere else. It is also the first step towards freedom: You ignore the voice inside that mocks you, saying, “Who are you to begin such a journey?” You just get up and walk out.

landmarks from the patriarchs - genesis 12 (abram leaves), exodus 12 (hebrew people leave egypt). sometimes leaving what you have always known is very difficult. we don't realize what impact local routines and material surroundings have on our beings, until we think about moving on without them. anxiety can quickly come rushing in, followed closely by panic, climaxing in fear. so what are we to do when these emotions come flooding our safe little predictable world? we must begin to dismantle these distorted emotions. this redefining process could be what is meant by the word "kadesh."

This is the first meaning of the word, “Kadesh” -- to transcend the mundane world. Then comes the second meaning: Once you’ve set yourself free from your material worries, you can return and sanctify them. That is when true spiritual freedom begins, when you introduce a deeply significant meaning into all those things you do.

the sages tells us that there are seven basic emotions that make up the spectrum of human experience. at the root of all forms of enslavement, is a distortion of these emotions. what does it look like to travel deep into these areas of the soul? could there be a perfect journey - perfect in the sense of completeness not free from error? seven weeks of seven days - 49 - this is the scope of the ancient spiritual path that begins at Passover.