April 2022

What Do Passover and Mental Health Have in Common?
By Kendra Fried of Neshamah Yoga & Wellness

“Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the story of the ancient Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt. On Pesach each year, Jews around the world not only remember, but also retell the story of the exodus from Egypt. The story of the exodus is the archetypal model of redemption for the Jewish people. In Hebrew, the word for Egypt is “mitzrayim,” which means narrow straits or places of constriction. This journey to freedom involves the transformative process of moving from the narrow place out into the openness of the desert, the uncharted wilderness that is both uncertain and rich with possibilities.”  ~Vanderbilt University

From a mental health perspective, mitzrayim can be compared to the habitual, unhealthy patterns in our thinking - those thoughts or habits that keep us feeling enslaved.  Freedom can be perceived as the neuroplasticity of our brains, which allows for windows to open up to new vistas of possibility, supporting our mental health.  From an evolutionary standpoint, our brains are wired for survival.  Which means we will always look for the danger in a situation, or what the worst-case scenario might be.

There is a lovely poem in the “Mi Chamocha” section of our siddur that I find to be both thought-provoking and relevant in the exploration of how the Passover story may inspire us to cultivate mental health in our modern lives:

Standing on the parted shores of history,
we still believe what we were taught
before ever we stood at Sinai:
That wherever we are, it is eternally Egypt
That there is a better place, a Promised Land;
That the winding way to that promise passes through the wilderness
That there is no way to get from here to there
Except by joining hands,
Marching together.

Psychologist and author Dr. Rick Hansen, expert in the practical science of lasting happiness, says that the brain is like Velcro for negative experiences, but Teflon for positive ones. For every 1 negative experience that effects our brain, it takes 3 positive experiences to tip the scales to neutral, if you will.  In this way, as the poem states, “Wherever we are, it is eternally Egypt.”  However, there is a better place.  The human brain has tremendous capacity to learn and pick up information about how to cope, adapt, and overcome.  The brain finds its way, through the expanse of our neural pathways, to the Promised Land: the land of resilience, self-acceptance, and holistic well-being. 

There are many self-care activities that can take us on the journey toward inner freedom and mental wellness. One of the most important steps is learning to develop deep compassion for whatever “wilderness” in which you may find yourself.  Some other supportive actions include:
• Engaging in positive social interactions (marching together)
• Participating in novel activities
• Engaging in play
• Being enriched by stimulating environments
• Practicing and repeating positive activities—even mentally rehearsing them
• Engaging in mental training strategies such as mindfulness meditation
• Developing a sense of purpose in life.

We are here because our ancestors had the courage to leave behind the land of limitation, (which was miserable yet familiar) and step into uncharted territory, rich with possibilities.  May we draw strength from each other as we continue to wind our way through our individual and collective wilderness.  As we plant and water seeds that cultivate well-being in the present moment, we can be sure that they will continue to bloom, l’dor v’dor, for generations to come.
 
For a more in-depth look at areas of interest, visit the following links:
Neural Plasticity: 4 Steps to Change Your Brain and Habits
4 Ways to Boost Your Self-Compassion
Brains: Journey to Resilience (7 min video, entertaining and informative)
Reflections on Passover and Mental Health from a Parent’s Perspective