Difference between revisions of "Mindfulness"

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* [https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Approach-Dr-Jonathan-Feiner/dp/1946351938 Mindfulness: A Jewish Approach] by Dr. Jonathan Feiner  
 
* [https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Approach-Dr-Jonathan-Feiner/dp/1946351938 Mindfulness: A Jewish Approach] by Dr. Jonathan Feiner  
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* [https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/studybooklets.rabbiefremgoldberg.org/Shabbos%20Shuva/Shabbos_Shuva_2016_Mindfulness.pdf Shabbos Shuva Drasha by R' Efrem Goldberg]
 
* [https://www.themindfulwoman.org/mindfulness-books Suggestions by themindfulwoman.org]
 
* [https://www.themindfulwoman.org/mindfulness-books Suggestions by themindfulwoman.org]
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* See also [https://www.amazon.com/Menuchah-Principle-Life/dp/1607631873 The Menuchah Principle -- For Life]<ref>Before I describe my own initiatives toward teaching ''menuchas hanefesh'', it is crucial to make a distinction between ''menuchas hanefesh'' and other approaches that promote experiences of inner peace that have their roots in secular methodologies and even Eastern religions such as Zen or Buddhism. Mindfulness, meditation, reciting mantras, breathing techniques and learning to live in the moment-to-moment experience of life are all widely accepted as enhancing inner peace and tranquility. It is understandable why these approaches have proven effective in treating symptoms related to anxiety and borderline personality disorders, as they promote inner calmness and security.
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Cultivating ''menuchas hanefesh,'' however, is not a therapeutic approach. It is learning to access a state of mind that creates a comprehensive and deep, inner alignment between our ''neshama'' and Hashem, in a personal relationship that connects us to loved ones, to the meaning and experience of ''mitzvos,'' to Torah study, and to every other aspect of Torah life. It radiates though all our interpersonal experiences and expressions of Torah life. ''Menuchas hanefesh'' enhances marriage and relationships because the essence of our Jewish selves is guided by its quiet and gentle influence.
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There are two more thoughts that should be cited. The state of ''menuchas hanefesh'' is not acquired as a consequence of a natural process. It a gift of love which is given to us through our profound faith that ''Hashem'' cares for, and watches over, each of us with an unfathomable love. This is the clear message in the ''tefilah'' for Shabbos ''minchah,'' when we recite, “''ki me’itcha hee menuchosom''” – ''menuchah'' comes directly from''Hashem''.
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The second thought is that when we acknowledge in this ''tefilah'' that ''menucha'' is a gift of love from Hashem, we immediately recite the next and perhaps most important of all concepts: “…and through their ''menuchah,'' [Yisrael] sanctifies Your Name.” When we learn to cultivate a lifestyle that enables us to receive and experience this gift from Hashem, our very sensitivity, tranquility and care for others enables us to become a true ''kiddush Hashem.'' This, in essence, is the purpose of our existence. Torah life and marriage cannot maintain their beauty and ''kedushah'' without this, leaving them vulnerable to the chaos from without.
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http://klalperspectives.org/shaya-ostrov-lcsw/</ref>
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==

Revision as of 15:13, 29 November 2020

See Urge Surfing

Mindfulness Practice

Recommended Reading

Notes

Henry Steinberger, Ph.D. lists Mindfulness as the #1 relapse prevention strategy:

Learn to willingly accept your mind – The first step to preventing relapse is to understand and accept your mind. The presence of whatever your mind produces such as thoughts, beliefs, images, memories, feelings, or sensations is temporary. Even if you don’t like them, if you understand that the ideas your mind creates will change, you do not need to act on what your mind is thinking. This goes for urges and cravings. Note how they simply come and go. They may seem like a problem, but avoiding them through addictive behavior appears as the real problem in the long run. Consider learning and practicing “Mindfulness” to increase your ability to “sit with” or “ride out” urges without acting on them.[2]

From GYE Members

  • A thread about mindfulness - https://guardyoureyes.com/forum/2-What-Works-for-Me/327296-Sholoms-Mindfulness-Recovery-Path
  • I have found that MINDFULNESS has helped me. When I get the urge to fall, I treat each urge like a cloud, a thought, which can be put in a "box" and will soon enough blow away on the wind. Rather than something I have to act on. #ColinColin[3]

Torah Sources

  • See concept of מנוחת הנפש in ספר חשבון הנפש, לפין, סי' סז וסי' קפד and in a few other places in the sefer as a solution for dealing with emotions and habits. Also in his introduction he talks about a person learned to focus on one thing for a long time, and it helped him improve his life drastically (Ch. 16). But his strategies to achieve it are different than mindfulness. It's more about patience and self control (see סי' קפד).
    • מנוחת הנפש for improper thoughts - Ch. 109
  • This might be related to the concept of "Hatzlacha Bizman" (see the Lubavitcher Rebbe, 20 Shevat 5730, Torah Menachem vol 59, p. 186-8).
    • The story is also mentioned in another source[4], and there he mentions that there is a Teshuvas Harashba about the Rashba's sedorim. עיי"ש.

Resources to Explore

  1. ↑ Before I describe my own initiatives toward teaching menuchas hanefesh, it is crucial to make a distinction between menuchas hanefesh and other approaches that promote experiences of inner peace that have their roots in secular methodologies and even Eastern religions such as Zen or Buddhism. Mindfulness, meditation, reciting mantras, breathing techniques and learning to live in the moment-to-moment experience of life are all widely accepted as enhancing inner peace and tranquility. It is understandable why these approaches have proven effective in treating symptoms related to anxiety and borderline personality disorders, as they promote inner calmness and security. Cultivating menuchas hanefesh, however, is not a therapeutic approach. It is learning to access a state of mind that creates a comprehensive and deep, inner alignment between our neshama and Hashem, in a personal relationship that connects us to loved ones, to the meaning and experience of mitzvos, to Torah study, and to every other aspect of Torah life. It radiates though all our interpersonal experiences and expressions of Torah life. Menuchas hanefesh enhances marriage and relationships because the essence of our Jewish selves is guided by its quiet and gentle influence. There are two more thoughts that should be cited. The state of menuchas hanefesh is not acquired as a consequence of a natural process. It a gift of love which is given to us through our profound faith that Hashem cares for, and watches over, each of us with an unfathomable love. This is the clear message in the tefilah for Shabbos minchah, when we recite, “ki me’itcha hee menuchosom” – menuchah comes directly fromHashem. The second thought is that when we acknowledge in this tefilah that menucha is a gift of love from Hashem, we immediately recite the next and perhaps most important of all concepts: “…and through their menuchah, [Yisrael] sanctifies Your Name.” When we learn to cultivate a lifestyle that enables us to receive and experience this gift from Hashem, our very sensitivity, tranquility and care for others enables us to become a true kiddush Hashem. This, in essence, is the purpose of our existence. Torah life and marriage cannot maintain their beauty and kedushah without this, leaving them vulnerable to the chaos from without. http://klalperspectives.org/shaya-ostrov-lcsw/
  2. ↑ https://www.smartrecovery.org/navigating-the-road-to-recovery/. He adds "Willing Acceptance and Mindfulness, mentioned in item ... can be found in the self-help literature of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). You can learn more with a web search. "
  3. ↑ https://guardyoureyes.com/forum/1-Break-Free/340981-Meditation#340982
  4. ↑ 299 'תשורה - תשס"ג [אב אלול] עמ'
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