Is That All There Is? A Homeopathic Answer

Text of audio column by Debby Bruck

IS THAT ALL THERE IS?
Sung by Peggy Lee written by Stoller & Lieber.

SPOKEN:
I remember when I was a very little girl, our house caught on fire.
I'll never forget the look on my father's face as he gathered me up
in his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement.
I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames.
And when it was all over I said to myself, "Is that all there is to a fire?"

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

SPOKEN:
And when I was 12 years old, my father took me to the circus, the greatest show on earth.
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears
And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads.
And as I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle
I had the feeling that something was missing.
I don't know what, but when it was over,
I said to myself, "Is that all there is to a circus?"

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

SPOKEN:
Then I fell in love, with the most wonderful boy in the world.
We would take long walks by the river or just sit for hours gazing into each other's eyes.
We were so very much in love.
Then one day, he went away. And I thought I'd die -- but I didn't.
And when I didn't I said to myself, "Is that all there is to love?"

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing

SPOKEN:
I know what you must be saying to yourselves.
If that's the way she feels about it why doesn't she just end it all?
Oh, no. Not me. I'm in no hurry for that final disappointment.
For I know just as well as I'm standing here talking to you,
when that final moment comes and I'm breathing my last breath, I'll be saying to myself,

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

This month’s Innerchange article entitled, “Is That All There Is – A Homeopathic Answer” is dedicated to a brave and faithful soul named Chaya Gittel bas Miriam - may she remain strong. Thanks to G-d, Gitty recently underwent heart surgery for a genetic abnormality with flying colors.  In stressful times like these our awareness heightens. We attempt to touch another life with our love and send prayerful thoughts rising up to heaven on the wings of angels. Let’s begin with an insightful thought from Albert Pike, an American Lawyer, journalist and soldier (1809-1891) who said, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains, and is immortal.”

An eternal spark in each human being searches for meaning and purpose. A small voice raises the ultimate question in its different guises, “Why am I here?” In those sensitized solitary moments have you noticed particular events surface and stick in your mind, repeating over and over like a dream? Why ask, “What’s next?” when you haven’t figured out what’s happening now?

In Stoller and Lieber’s song, “Is That All There Is?” notably sung by Peggy Lee, the pace keeps our toes evenly tapping through a story of disappointment and sadness. Time passes with a chronicle of events. The somber tone brings us down into depression, even when one would expect joy. The lyricist’s refrain asks again and again, “Is that all there is?”

Surprisingly, even a life colored with a depressed perspective sings brightly. Not quite ready to separate from the body she intones ‘let’s keep dancing.’ Unfortunately, upon each opportunity Ms. Lee drowns a sensible response in sorrowful drink and lightheaded frivolity. She cannot bring herself to face up to reality or the question, “Why am I here?”

As we plod along in our duties or repetitive routines, most of us feel there is something more to life. We don’t always stop dancing long enough to pause and meditate on the soulful question. The secret found in quiet moments allow the spirit to soar, to speak and be heard. Breathing spaces in time like the rest notes in music present prospects for the soul to express itself, utilizing the body as her tool.

Each unique being brings something new into the universe. We want to know, “Who am I?” “What is the eternal soulful part of me that will live on?” Listen closely, the end of the song hums,” Until you find out how to truly live, keep dancing.”

Why choose one unknown for another? We don’t know what each day on earth will bring, but we have some idea based on previous days, weeks, months and years. No one comes back to report about life after death based on their experience. Some have had close calls, only departing for a short instance to some heavenly weigh station but never reaching eternity. Choosing to end life abruptly leaves the body to disintegrate on earth while the soul flies free, but at a cost. The message in this song repeats that chorus, “Yes, there is something more!”  From Peggy’s vantage point, she couldn’t fathom seeking what happens at the end of life; however, she could have used a guide to help direct her through her earthly struggles in order to find some happiness in the here and now.

The triggers, pain or emptiness we feel motivates us to find a way out of life’s maze. A contemporary interview method helps the seeker reach into the body’s messaging system enabling the mind to express and become aware of core consciousness. This healing technique appropriately named “The Sensation Method” of homeopathy gives consideration to that inner part of a person’s identity that cries for attention. Homeopaths who have fine tuned their listening, interpreting and communicating skills assist the traveler on an inner journey to uncover that pure part of self.

The system of homeopathy introduced over 200 years ago by a true genius, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann of Germany, has become widespread around the globe. This mode of energetic healing based on the principal of “likes cures likes” continues to evolve based on solid principles including, “do no harm” and “deliver the minimum dose.” Over the last two decades further advancements, begun in India by the ground-breaking work of Rajan Sankaran, have expanded our ability to comprehend human language and increase our success in finding curative remedies. Sankaran’s insights into perceiving the similarity of the human psyche and physical sensations in concordance with plants, minerals, animals and all forms of energy in the universe have opened the doorway for a more precise method of case-taking.

Homeopaths around the world now gather information to categorize essential themes and symptoms which help the practitioner select the closest “similar” energy to speed the healing process. As eternal forces yearn to express their highest form on earth, homeopaths employ their skills to watch each human being bloom and grow. Homeopaths strive to bring happiness, joy, caring, sharing and peace into every life while acknowledging particular limitations.

The interview process takes place one-on-one with the homeopath, who carefully listens to the client tell his or her personal story. Although not a group healing, everyone fortunate enough to be present benefits from this awe-inspiring interplay. An initial interview takes about two-hours giving the speaker and listener time to evoke the highest levels of energy.

The homeopath deftly guides the speaker up a spiral of basic conscious labels, intellectual facts, and stirring emotions to reach inner sensations, subconscious instincts and unintelligible gestures. This source language points to spiritual energy specifically characteristic of that person. Although, sometimes confusing, most of the time connections, like electricity jumping a synapse, begin the healing process with new insights. What seemed like an impossible chasm now appears bridgeable. No longer do we say, “Is that all there is?” We know life is a long hard path of ups and downs with bridges to cross, but now we can frame and support the passage with new found strength.

Whether in a state of panic or crisis, struggling to find answers, hopeful to find the way, trying to overcome conflict, desiring to organize everything, feeling stuck, wanting to be free, feeling hopeless or cast out or simply praying to attract goodness and repel darkness, the homeopath provides a safe space to speak.

When asking, “Is that all there is” the soul surfaces, the spiritual essence wants to be heard. In truth, no one has departed, and returned to tell about the after-death experience. People have had close encounters with death and ancient sages have communicated with those in the great beyond, but the limitless realm cannot be grasped with the limited mind and body. We are not ready to be totally there if our soul has been placed in a body to exist here.

However, we can taste the sweetness of that eternity when the soul within our earthly body feels, content, happiness and peace.  Giving attention to our spiritual needs through quiet meditative moments and prayer elevates the soul.

The beauty and benefit of tending to the mind, body and spirit in this way occurs when the timeless soul re-experiences our actions in the heavenly sphere when we become purely spiritual. When our work on earth is finished, we no longer have the body as a level to elevate the soul higher. So, the limited lifetime on earth becomes the prelude to the after life – the part of the soul’s journey toward wholeness, understanding, and purification. No point in pondering the future when it’s all about what you are doing today. This is your opportunity for a true awakening. G-d’s gift for you to see, feel, smell, taste, and touch the world and your ability to make choices within this space counts toward your future. Focus on it now. Feel your heart beat and listen to the soul’s yearning; calling out the question, “Is that all there is?” Do something today to find your personal answers. Our generation has a great challenge. The wisdom of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, interpreted by Tzvi Freeman utter thes poetic words,

There are sparks of light hidden in this world. Some you can find and liberate: When you "Know G-d in all your ways" -- finding Him in whatever you do, those sparks jump out at you and their light is released.

But then there are sparks of such intensity that they had to be buried in the deepest bowels of the material realm and locked away in thick darkness. These are sparks that no ordinary search could uncover: Your intellect has no power even to approach them. Your deeds could never dig that deep. Your eyes would be blinded by their brilliance and by the profundity of the darkness surrounding them.

The only tools you have to liberate those sparks are the ones that supersede your intellect and your senses. These are the inner powers that are revealed when your inner resolve is brought to the test.

This is the reason our generation is so challenged again and again: We are redeeming the final sparks of light.

You have been listening to the Innerchange October 2007 issue “Is That All There Is – A Homeopathic Answer” written and read by Debby Bruck, a student of Kabbalah and Homeopath practicing the Sensation Method. She teaches qigong, healing movement, guided imagery, and meditation. To contact Debby visit www.homeopage.com

To learn more teachings of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson visit www.chabad.org

To hear Peggy Lee sing, “Is that all there is” click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-hiDMpcN9Y

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