26 Count Out Loud

Some people have to count out loud to process what they know or see to be true. For example, the walkers-by noticing my triplets who count aloud “one – two – three – there are three of them!” For more on funny reactions we encounter every day watch this video.

Setting the table often requires several verbal re-counts of bodies just to be sure, even when I know the guest list in advance. Setting the table or preparing the home for quests is a metaphor often used for Spiritual Direction. One of my spiritual director's considered herself an accompanist for her directees. Silent contemplation is an importance piece of spiritual direction; like Shabbat, it is the pause that contrasts with the music of our souls, the speaking words that bring us into awareness of God's precense, or the soul stirring within.

I like that speaking out loud is a Jewish spiritual practice. When I find myself talking out loud I normalize it within the spiritual teachings Jewish meditation and prayer. With the omer, silent counting isn't proper and counting before the change of day is not effective; it must be after sunset on the new day (at nighttime in accordance with way Jewish 'days' begin and end at night) and out loud. And we don't just say the number. We say the blessing, the number of days, then how many weeks and days. After that, why wouldn't we just keep talking till we find a spiritual lesson, kind of like I am writing my reflections here?

Hitbodedut is the spiritual practice of being alone with God, often in nature at night, and pouring one's heart out with words. Access to the heart of the matter isn't instantaneous, so Rebbe Nahman of Bratslav teaches that you just open your mouth and start talking. You keep talking and talking and eventually you get to whatever it is that you need to say and express from your heart. You could start with “this is so silly, me standing here alone, talking out loud. For what? Who am I talking to? Do I even believe in God? Is anyone listening? God has never answered me before so what's the point? ...But it is beautiful out here. And quiet. And something is special about it.” Keep going. You start with where ever you are, whatever is on your mind. Keep it simple, as if conversing with a trusted friend, flowing from one topic to the next. What may start as awkward become quite enjoyable and enriching.

Noticing what is moving in one's life, where the heart is tugging, how you are being transformed, getting curious about the seeking of your soul, these are found in the sacred silence of Spiritual Direction, and also in the sound of conversations with ourselves, with nature, with God. Omer counting is a deliberate following of the soul's journey over 49 days, from bondage to revelation. Sound and language merge levels of creation and connect the physical realm of creation and building with our mental and spiritual processes. Counting aloud helps move the intent from inner to outer, through the vehicle of voice, of body. In silence we can hide from truth, with mouths open we speak, we hear, we listen, we hone our expression more and more to truth and reality. Say it ain't so, say it, speak it, sing it!

Aloud: Today is the 26th day of the Omer, 3 weeks and 5 days of the Omer.


Continue with some hitbodedut. If it helps to get the flow going with your voice, play your favorite music and sing along with abandon. Find a place alone (safe of course), set your intention to speak with your Creator (the God of your understanding) and start talking. Let yourself move from one topic to the next, trying to be honest, explaining yourself, your thoughts, asking questions, arguing, thanking... everything. When you're done, sit in silence to reflect. And consider sharing a bit about your experience here.