Simkhat tora / Simkhes-toyre is my most favorite Jewish festival simply because I'm not only allowed but even commanded to express joy by dancing in public. I feel I'm at my best when I dance because my egoic mind stops thinking. It was only recently that I realized that this condition is what is known as "flow".
During this festival we celebrated this Tuesday I observed not only myself dancing but also other congregants (not) dancing and discovered something interesting I hadn't noticed before with an implication for life in general beyond dancing.
I noticed different degrees of flow in those who danced. The lowest degree was in those who refused to dance and sat still in depression in spite of the commandment. I know at least one of them very well personally. This time I felt much deeper compassion for him as his mind must have been filled with very negative thoughts and feelings. Many people danced awkwardly. Then it suddenly occurred to me that what caused their awkwardness must be their fear and lack of confidence.
Let's compare dancing with bicycling. What would happen if you were constantly afraid that you might fall down while riding a bicycle? You have to take a leap of faith and trust yourself in order to start bicycling.
We can expend this comparison to life in general. So many people, including what I used to be until rather recently, are constantly afraid of failures and hesitate to leave their comfort zone without realizing that the worst risk in life is taking no risk.
What would happen if we could get rid of all our negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves and the world by believing that everything is good and trusting the divine providence? We must starting experiencing flow in our life as we experience it when we dance with full confidence and no fear.
I already know the feeling of flow in dancing. This experience must be applicable to life in general.