The teaching
Bilaam had prophecy, power, prestige — and his donkey still saw what he couldn't.
In Parshat Balak, Bilaam rides out to curse Israel. Three times his donkey stops, sensing the angel blocking the path. Bilaam, blind with agenda, beats the animal. Finally, Hashem opens the donkey's mouth to speak.
In Tai Chi we call this double-weighted — fully committed to one position, you can't receive what's arriving. Bilaam's gift couldn't compensate for a heart clenched around its own agenda.
So stand in stillness. Soften your eyes — not focusing, not seeking. Let the world arrive.
That's how donkeys see angels.
