Hocus Pocus: Staying Focused and Keeping the Faith

Episode 30 · October 26, 2023

Thought and creating reality

The Truth Hurts · Episode 30 · audio in Hebrew

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The conversation

Everything around you feels blurry, it isn't clear where any of it is going, and it's hard to find something steady to hold on to. Gili explains that in a period like this, faith is one of the strongest healing tools there is, whatever a person's level of religious observance. A scattered soul is the most dangerous opposite of concentration, and the moment doubt gets in is exactly the moment you lose your focus. And sometimes the hardest question is whether you're even allowed to feel joy when there's this much pain all around.

The truth

  • In a period of great uncertainty, faith is one of the strongest healing tools there is. Part of Gili's work in her practice is connecting people to the Creator, whatever their level of religious observance.

  • Holiness isn't measured by outward signs. The people murdered in the events discussed in the previous episode, killed only for being Jews, are counted as having died a holy death, whatever kind of life they led.

  • Talking about faith isn't enough. You have to practice it day after day, like training at the gym, or it's easy to miss it and slide back into the usual routine.

  • Focus comes from the Hebrew verb lehitfakes, to concentrate. Turn the letters of its root around and you get safek, doubt, the exact opposite of faith, and that's where a scattered soul starts.

  • You're allowed, and even required, to feel joy and to talk about faith even when there's mourning all around. It gives you strength to keep going. It doesn't make the pain any smaller.

  • The energy goes where the focus is. Whatever you focus on grows, sadness as much as good things, which is why it matters to choose deliberately where to aim your attention.

Questions and answers

What's special about the month of Marcheshvan, and why is it called that?

It's the only month in the Hebrew year with no festival or holiday in it at all, which is why it's called Mar Cheshvan, bitter Cheshvan. This year it came out especially bitter. It's the month when the energy of envy rises, along with the urge to take revenge and the appetite for picking fights. But that same month is the one that gives you a chance to break free of your dependence on your relationships.

Why do magicians say hocus pocus?

Because the word focus is tied to the Hebrew verb lehitfakes, to concentrate. The root of that verb is p.k.s, and when you reverse the order of the letters you get safek, doubt. Only when you're in focus can you pour faith into yourself. The moment doubt gets in, that's the opposite of focus, and that's where a scattered soul starts.

I'm happy in the middle of this whole mess with the war and everything, and I feel terribly guilty when I talk about faith or about joy right now. Is that okay?

Yes, and it isn't only an option, it's an obligation. Holding an optimistic picture and feeling joy, even from a personal place, doesn't take anything away from the amount of sadness or empathy you feel toward the bereaved families. The two don't contradict each other.

What do I need for my dream to actually happen?

You need a few elements: a vision, meaning a picture or an idea you imagine at the highest level you possibly can; a want that comes from a clean place and doesn't hurt anyone else; and faith, hope and confidence. Without them, a person ends up with a scattered soul.

Gili's original episode description

This episode is about the powerful and meaningful subject of focus and faith, especially now, in a time of war.

Gili and Tal discuss the question of how you can hold on to strong faith even when the world around us looks so challenging and so unsafe.

They explain how faith can serve as a source of strength, hope and inspiration, and talk about all sorts of different ways of strengthening our faith and developing it.

In Gili's tips corner you'll find a wide range of workable tools for dealing with the hard times and holding on to strong faith.

This episode offers ways to find light in the darkness, to strengthen faith and to hold on to hope and courage in the hardest times.

We're going to win, and this is exactly the time to focus!

Hold your heads up.

"Am Yisrael Chai, the people of Israel lives."

About the podcast

Listening to The Truth Hurts feels like sitting in on a healing session.

The truth can hurt. It’s right there in the name. But we’re not here to cause pain. Quite the opposite.

In each episode, two women sit down for an honest conversation: an Emotional Healer and her client.

We talk about healing and consciousness, faith and science, the body and soul, personal growth, energy, and different approaches to healing. Above all, we face the truth no one says out loud: everything around us is upside down.

Is this podcast for you?

  • You want to hear the truth, and you’re ready to face it. (Yes, those are two different things.)
  • You want to gain insight and improve your quality of life.
  • You want to make a change.
  • You want a deeper understanding of the laws of the universe.
  • You want to live a healthy life in body and soul.
  • You want to take away something you can carry with you for life.

You don’t need any prior knowledge. You only need the desire to explore a wide range of ideas and discover practical guidance for living.

Listen and get in touch

Gili Man Wolner, Emotional Healer. Helping you heal and grow through Jewish wisdom.

Have a question about an episode? Send a WhatsApp message to +972 50-681-0611 (messages only).

Listen to The Truth Hurts (in Hebrew).

Tal Eckerling, co-host: Website · Facebook · Instagram