Prayer and Books

So, I said I would talk more about prayer and how I've started praying every day. But I only have about thirty minutes before I start Shabbat. So, I guess i'll do that now and talk about Yom Kippur on sunday.
Prayer has become something very import in my life once more. I haven't really felt that connection to God in a very long time. And i don't necessarily credit CBI or my recent conversion in gifting me with this connection.

I do credit attempting to live a jewish life, the torah study, the weekly services (twice a week usually for me) as giving me the kavanah to focus my innerself and make the connection personally. What I do is every morning when I wake up and every night before I go to sleep I stand infront of my little Shabbat Alter, (I posted a picture of it before) which has my Hebrew Torah on it and I say the Baruchu intro, having said that in hebrew I switch to english and thank god for the blessings I've recieved since I last prayed and then ask for strength or endurance. I always feel that the words and intention is pulled from somewhere deep inside, I don't have to consider my words or my thoughts. They just come and God willing they are heard.

I did go to the Jewish book fair and got to listen to Rodger Kamentetz talk about his new book which is about Kafka and Reb Nachman. And their kabbalistic and storytelling methodology, so unwittingly I bought a book (and got it signed) that I will likely lovingly devour. Rodger also signed the copy of the Jew in the Lotus that my friend Phillip had lent me, so that I kind of got phillip a gift in the signature. Although now I need to go out and buy a new Jew in the Lotus book.

Thank you Mr. Kamentetz for taking time to come and talk to us I found your lecture fascinating and enlightening and look foreward to reading your book. (next thursday I will be seeing Joel Chasnoff and hearing about his experiences in the IDF.)

Shabbat Shalom!