Here I Am: Using Jewish Spiritual Wisdom to Become More Present, Centered, and Available for Life

by Leonard Felder

During stressful times, it’s easy to get caught up in feeling anxious, tense, foggy, and overloaded. Here, a popular psychologist shares easy-to-use techniques for managing and rebalancing these emotions and helps you to find your calm, strong center. Dr. Leonard Felder draws from his work with clients over the last thirty years, and incorporates traditional Jewish prayers and blessings that have been used for centuries to refocus the mind. The author has a long history of multi-faith counseling and dialogue and has made these stress-management practices resonant with people of all religious backgrounds who are looking for more awareness, clarity, and calmness when faced with stress-related emotions.

In this book you'll learn how

   • Regain your equilibrium when you feel pulled in too many directions
   • Outsmart your moody, anxious brain
   • Know when to intervene and when to let go in a situation
   • Respond with wisdom when someone treats you harshly
   • Find inner quiet and peace when you feel agitated
   • And much more

In each chapter, Felder includes examples drawn from his client's experiences and explanations from mind-body psychology and neuroscience to support the effectiveness of this kind of mindfulness practice.

Click here to view this book's Discussion Guide.

Genres: Judaism, Nonfiction, Jewish, Self Help

179 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2011

Reviews

[Bogi Takács]

A quick read, though I read it with breaks between chapters to assimilate it better into my practice. I got it from the library because I wondered if there was anything like Jewish mindfulness...? (I mean a lot of classic mussar literature is like that?? Kind of? With a lot of Bible quotes?)

This is not like those mussar books, it is more Westernized and kind of designed to be easy to go through, but it gives nice ideas on how to tie some of the traditional blessings, prayers etc. to your spiritual practice. I found it very helpful that it suggested taking a moment after you say asher yatzar in the morning to think about what you can do for your health that day, because I often forget to take my medication, but generally do not forget to say asher yatzar (lol?). So this has already reminded me countless times, which is great. I get a LOT of joint stiffness if I don't take my medication. Thank you book for helping me be more mobile :)

It also gives ideas on how to deal with losing a job emotionally, which is great, because I'm in the middle of a job search and it is very aggravating. (I resigned, so it's not the same as getting fired, which is the example discussed in the book; but I resigned because the alternative was moving AGAIN and I am simply not able to do that. Anyway, the advice was commonsense and helpful.)

I think the target market is more like secular Jews who want to do something vaguely spiritual than people with an Orthodox background like me. But it was a nice read.

Source of the book: Lawrence Public Library. I don't know the author at all.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful, actionable tools. This is a book I will keep for reference. I really appreciate the connection between mindfulness and Jewish practices that can help me feel both present and connected to my faith.

[Harry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mumbo jumbo and psycho babble.

[Zen Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been so busy lately that I have not had the time I wanted to have for reading. So I have found myself reading one chapter a day in this book for a while. Turns out, that's a great way to read this book. While the focus may be as simple as appreciating your body, coping with other people and reducing your stress levels, there are some very deep and complex ideas to contemplate here. Blending Jewish mysticism, psychotherapy and current brain research, Felder offers fresh insight into ancient human issues and stress-filled modern life. Prayer, focus and understanding our body's chemistry can all contribute to living better and enjoying it more. You don't have to understand Hebrew or know anything about Jewish mysticism to read this book and use its wisdom for yourself. As Felder explains, all you have to do is be like Adam in the Garden of Eden, who at first hid from the powerful voice he heard but finally came forward and said, "Here I am."

[Elliott_mpratt.Net · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life enhancing key phrases to commit to memory

While my schedule was heavy, I scanned through to extract key phrases for use in every day life. I found the ancient blessings centering and foundational. I went back and read the book word for word when my schedule slowed.

[Abdul Mackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it.

[Rachel Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of solid inspiration and very grounding.