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Balance and integrate the components of your inner life in order to become more present, joyful and effective.
"At our best, we may experience a taste of completeness infused with gratitude that prompts expressions of compassion and justice. At our best we are most alive: loving those around us and transcending our own personal needs, attuned to a caring, dynamic Presence intertwined with the whole of creation. The goal of this book is to enable you to live more frequently at your best."
—from the Introduction
In a multitasking culture, we often are distracted from attending to what is most significant in our lives. Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz, a widely respected teacher and spiritual guide, shows how to nurture the four components of the inner life—body, heart, mind and spirit—in order to embrace your whole self. Rabbi Spitz brings timeless wisdom into the modern age, combining Jewish texts and traditions with contemporary psychology and world spiritual writings.
This book is for everyone—Jews and non-Jews, experienced meditators and novices—yearning for greater inner calm and strength so as to more fully enjoy life, effectively relate to others and enhance spiritual awareness and connection.
Interactive—includes immersive videos that can be accessed instantly by the provided QR codes or links.
"A thoroughly contemporary guide to Jewish spiritual practice, drawing on Jewish sources as well as a wide range of teachings from many traditions. An easy and plain-spoken guide to techniques of visualization and guided meditation."
—Arthur Green, author, Judaism's Ten Best Ideas: A Brief Guide for Seekers
“This inspiring work is a spiritual journey with wisdom and guidance to lead us toward a life of peace and wholeness.... A book to read and re-read, a book you will want to share with those you love.”
—Rabbi Naomi Levy, founder and spiritual leader, Nashuva; author, Hope Will Find You
“Wise and practical.... An eloquent reminder that it’s not enough to talk about the truth: we must live it, day by day.... In these pages you will find the resources, both ancient and contemporary, that help us to live truth and choose love.”
—Rabbi Shefa Gold, author, The Magic of Hebrew Chant: Healing the Spirit, Transforming the Mind, Deepening Love
“There is no better guide than Rabbi Elie Spitz, with his sweet soul, practiced spiritual depth, and soaring mind. He has distilled his soul into this marvelous book, taking our hand and leading us to increasing wholeness.”
—Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, DHL, author, God of Becoming and Relationship: The Dynamic Nature of Process Theology
“Wonderful.... Sure to touch the hearts and minds of people from all walks of life and empower them to live their lives more fully and meaningfully.”
—Rabbi Yoel Glick, author, Living the Life of Jewish Meditation: A Comprehensive Guide to Practice and Experience
“An inspired, intelligent book that will teach you how to have a meaningful meditation practice. The YouTube meditations are a special bonus for beginners.”
—Nan Fink Gefen, PhD, author, Discovering Jewish Meditation: Instruction & Guidance for Learning an Ancient Spiritual Practice
“I can tell immediately when I’m in the presence of a great teacher, one who offers wisdom with nuance and maturity rather than clichés and truisms. Elie Spitz is my teacher. Becoming whole requires a whole practice—not prayer or reflection or mindfulness or study or intuition or movement, but all of them in balance. Elie Spitz seamlessly integrates a lifetime of spiritual seeking and wisdom into this remarkable guide for wholly living.”
—Rabbi Mike Comins, author, Making Prayer Real: Leading Jewish Spiritual Voices on Why Prayer Is Difficult and What to Do about It
“Offers wisdom and guidance for absolutely everyone.”
—Edith R. Brotman, PhD, RYT-500, author, Mussar Yoga: Blending an Ancient Jewish Spiritual Practice with Yoga to Transform Body and Soul
“An excellent manual of spiritual practice.... Unmistakably Jewish, mature, reasonable and inspiring.”
—Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, Emanu-El scholar, Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco; author, I’m God; You’re Not: Observations on Organized Religion & Other Disguises of the Ego
Preface: Welcome to Increasing Wholeness
Introduction
Chapter One
Seeking Greater Wholeness
Try This:
Identifying an Obstacle to Inner Peace
Breath, Eyes, and Mood
Epsom Salt Bath
Chapter Two
Body: Our Portal to the World
Try This:
Uniqueness Abounds
Sensual Wakefulness
Walking Meditation
Shalom Meditation
Guided Meditation of Praise
A Blessing Practice
Blessings of Dawn
Body-Mind Calm
Chapter Three
Heart: Fueling Engagement
Try This:
Quieting the Inner Drama with Touch Points
Receiving and Giving a Blessing
Corresponding with God
Harvesting Gratitude
A Daily Recitation of the Modeh Ani
A Quick Bibliodrama
Chapter Four
Mind: Alertness to Reality
Try This:
Identifying Holy Moments
A Listening Exercise
Shema Meditation
Discerning Patterns and Directing Your Future
Intensive Meditation with a Focus on Mind
Chapter Five
Spirit: Intuitive Wisdom
Try This
Intuitive Answers
Conjured Sensuality
Intuitive Gifts
Hearing Your Calling
Experiencing Daily Prayer
YHVH Meditation
Intensive Meditation with a Focus on Spirit
Chapter Six
Hand: The Power to Touch
Try This:
Baseless Generosity
A Tzedakah Box Practice
Prioritizing Charitable Giving
A Gemilut Chasadim Practice
Chesed (Compassion) Meditation
Writing an Ethical Will
Chapter Seven
Inner Peace: Balanced from Within
Try This:
Walking in the Light
Looking Back
When at Peace
A Taste of Wholeness
Revisiting Obstacles to Our Completeness
Infused by Light
A Final Blessing
Afterword: Crafting a Practice
Try This: A Sabbath Retreat
Acknowledgments
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index of Practices