Holding Space with Avra Shapiro

Avra Shapiro (they/them) joins us for a fantastic conversation about God this week. Avra is a queer Jewish mystic and freelance Kohenet and discusses their journey to becoming a Kohenet. Avra shares their understanding of God as an ever-flowing source of support and the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with the divine, especially by using different names for God. Avra explains how exploring the power of using different names for God can unlock new perspectives and connections. They emphasize the importance of finding queer teachers and communities that resonate with your own experiences and desires to deepen this connection. Avra encourages listeners to engage in spiritual practices that connect them to something bigger than themselves and bring joy and grounding to their lives.

Takeaways

• Cultivating a personal relationship with the divine is crucial and can bring support, grounding, and life-enhancing experiences.
• Using different names for God can unlock new perspectives and connections, allowing for a more personal and intimate relationship.
• Finding queer teachers and communities that resonate with your experiences and desires is important for spiritual growth and healing.
• Engaging in spiritual practices that connect you to something bigger than yourself can bring joy, grounding, and a sense of rootedness.
• Exploring the teachings and wisdom of different traditions can help reclaim and make them your own, while also acknowledging and addressing the harms of patriarchy and colonization.

Chapters

(05:10) Avra’s Journey to Becoming a Kohenet

(10:22) Creating Space for the Divine to Come In

(15:16) Understanding God and Using Different Names

(39:33) Finding Queer Teachers and Communities

(44:36) Addressing Harm and Reclaiming Traditions

Resources:

•  https://www.kohenetavrashapiro.com/ 
• Join the  Sanctuary Collective Community

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