Nina Amir's Thoughts on Human Potential, Personal Growth and Practical Spirituality
In my San Jose Jewish Examiner column, I recently wrote about the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey. It reported that the number of American Jews who consider themselves religiously observant has declined by more than 20 percent over the last two decades while the number of Jews who consider themselves secular has risen. This survey, which included [...]
I’m determined to put spiritual practice back into my life. I’ve been struggling for a year at least to find the time for a sustainable practice. I know…I teach and write about practical spirituality, by which I mean short, easy, sustainable practices that fit into our busy lives. However, I have failed to practice what [...]
Today while I was on Twitter, I watched video someone posted called “How Jews Pray.” I found it very interesting. (Wait for the commercial to end and you’ll be able to watch the WeJew.com video.) I’ve often thought about how we, as Jews, pray…or how anyone, for that matter, prays. Most religions have prescribed prayers, [...]
Today I weeded another section of my extremely large garden. Every spring it becomes totally overgrown with weeds. If I’m not quick, they become shoulder high or taller and go to seed. This year, I got to the job too late. Actually, I have way too many other things going on in my life to [...]
Have you ever noticed how we create huge tangles of our lives? Maybe we just take one strand – a relationship or a job or a particular way of thinking or a small lie or a debt that gets larger over time – and we knot it up until its a total mess. Or maybe [...]
Here in California, we have just a few more hours until the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. I’m hurrying to finish my work. I’ve already purchased my round challah from the local Jewish bakery. My brisket is made. I need to shower and get dressed and make it to services early, because [...]
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is almost upon us. Depending upon where you live, it might be less than 24 hours before you find yourself sitting in a synagogue somewhere thinking about the last year, the new year, what you need to repent for, who you need to go to and ask for forgiveness, and what [...]
I recently subscribed to a blog written by a friend of mine, Arthur Kurzweil, an author, geneologist and magician. The blog, called “Let My People Know,” which offers “Essential Steinsaltz,” or daily teachings from Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, author of one of my favorite books on Kabbalah, The Thirteen Petaled Rose, and modern Talmud commentator. Arthur [...]
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