The words whole and holy sound almost identical. Of course, they don’t come from the same root—whole, holy—yet the echo between them raises a powerful question.
To be whole, does that mean to be holy? And to be holy, does that mean you are also whole?
Consider this striking statistic: studies show that nearly 90% of Americans believe in some form of God or spirituality, yet only about 40% identify with an organized religion. That gap tells a story. Many people do not see spirituality and religion as one and the same.
So let’s ask a more provocative question: Does becoming holier make you healthier? More refined? More transcendent? More selfless?
Many would say not necessarily. We’ve all met people who appear very “holy,” yet are harsh, judgmental, or condescending. Or worse: obnoxious, cruel and abusive. No wonder, so many are skeptical and cynical about religion and faith, after experiencing hypocrisy and despicable behavior from people who consider themselves “holier than thou.” Piety and refinement are not necessarily seen as one and the same. And individuality and free spiritedness seem to be trampled by the pressures of religious conformity.
Yet, the deeper truth is this: authentic holiness cannot exist without wholeness. And true wholeness naturally leads to holiness. When a person is integrated, compassionate, and complete, that itself is the essence of the sacred. And being holy means being healthy and wholesome. One cannot love God if one does not love God’s children.
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a conversation that is evocative, provocative—perhaps even controversial—but above all, deeply meaningful — and necessary. Together let us revisit the very meaning of faith, religion, and holiness. We will discover how God and belief have been hijacked, misrepresented and abused, creating a plethora of stereotypes and myths. Learn how true holiness goes hand in hand with true wholesomeness. How sanctity and piety flow seamlessly into healthy love, nurturing and refinement. Wholeness is holiness; it is not perfection, but integration. And that integration is what allows the divine to flow through a human being in a real and tangible way.
