Mindful Judaism – Jewish Meditation and Contemplative Judaism
A Living, Breathing Judaism for Today and Tomorrow
If you are anything like me and either enjoy reading books or grabbing a bargain, take a look! I noticed today that the kindle version of one of my favorite Zen books is on sale this month on Amazon – Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi.
Continue reading “What is “Beginner’s Mind”? And Did Heschel Describe It?!”
There are thousands and thousands of words of formal prayers and prayer books. There are so many words — too many words — yet there can never be enough words!
The most important words in prayer are your words! The most important prayerbook is your heart! Everything else is simply extra!
Continue reading “Do I Need to Use a Prayerbook?”
Freedom and liberty is so very precious and something for which I am eternally grateful and do not take for granted.
Yes, freedom can be “internal”. We all need to feel and experience this genuine liberation; yet, “external” freedom is no more unnecessary. It is this freedom — unfortunately, a rarity in the world in this day and age — that we celebrate and consecrate this Independence Day Holiday.
Continue reading “How Do We Celebrate Freedom?”
Sometimes questions are more simple than we know. Often times, questions are also more complicated than we hope.
One such question is “What makes meditation Jewish?” This question might just be simple AND complicated to answer?! I write about this elsewhere (here and here), though allow me to answer this question here as simply as possible, albeit with a complicated caveat.
Continue reading “What is “Jewish” Meditation? Is Meditation Even “Jewish””
Consider that you cannot do it alone.
Open your mouth.
Use your words.
Speak to God (or whomever or whatever is sacred or Divine to you).
Continue reading “How Do I Pray?”
The Jewish High Holidays are a period of reflection and opportunity to renew our intentions for the coming year in a deeply personal and meaningful way.
Please join Rabbi Adam Fogel and Mindful Judaism on a Zen Mindfulness Jewish Meditation retreat this Yom Kippur! The Yom Kippur retreat will include periods of silent sitting and walking meditation, an abbreviated chant style service, time for speaking from the heart in hitbodedut, and sacred sharing in council to close the retreat.
Continue reading “REGISTER NOW: High Holidays 2023 – Yom Kippur Zen Mindfulness Jewish Meditation Retreat”
We all need to feel safe and comfortable in our relationships. With our spouses, parents, children, family and friends, and yes… even with God!
The more important and intimate the relationship, the greater our need for emotional safety. With God too! Especially with God!
Continue reading “What is Your Attachment Style with God?”
Come and join Mindful Judaism this 2023 High Holiday season!
This year, we will be offering two contemplative High Holiday Zen mindfulness Jewish meditation retreats!
Save the dates!
Continue reading “SAVE THE DATES: 2023 High Holiday Zen Mindfulness Jewish Meditation Retreats Coming to California”
Have you ever written a letter to God? Wished that you could simply speak your Truth to the Divine and hear back? We all need that! And so does the Divine! This is what Shavuot is all about!
In one of my Rabbinical School classes on Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy, my chevruta (study partner) and I offered parallel interpretive translations of Psalm 42 written as letters from and to God.
With the permission of my chevruta, Cantor Russell G. Jayne, MSM, PharmD, I would like to offer our correspondence with the Divine to you in honor of the Shavuot holiday tonight and tomorrow. Chag Shavuot sameach! Have a wonderful Shavuot holiday!
Continue reading “Dear God: Love Letters from / to the Divine”
In just a few days, we celebrate receiving the Torah on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. It may not always feel like we receive the gifts that we want and “deserve” or even have what to offer others or ourselves. Then, what did we receive that fateful day over 3,000 years ago? What are the gifts you celebrate this Shavuot?
Continue reading “I Will Follow “You”: The True Gift of Shavuot”