American Mussar

21st century Jewish spiritual practice for an authentic and meaningful life

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Who Will You Liberate This Passover?

March 28, 2018 By Greg Marcus 1 Comment

As we approach Passover, I've learned of a new way to think about the holiday. It stems from a conversation I was in recently, when a friend shared how her mother freed her from guilt.A few years earlier, she and her family moved away from her parents, and her father used to needle her about how much he missed his grandkids. My friend confessed her guilt to her mother, who said "Do you really think your father is moping around all the time? He is fine and happy. He is living his life, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mussar Practice Tagged With: mussar passover, mussar practice, passover, passover narrow place

Call on Boldness to Step Back from Busyness. Shabbat Is a Delight

February 9, 2018 By Greg Marcus 2 Comments

Our sages say that Shabbat is a delight. You may know people who love Shabbat and keep it and say they wouldn’t be able to live without it. Shabbat is praised as a taste of the world to come. It is the time for deeper intimacy, for the pleasures of the table, for song, for joy, for true respite.So why is it so hard to do? It is such a great idea, but hard to make real. Much as we might long for a weekly day off, a true oasis in time, it’s hard!! Our broader culture is all about action and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Mussar Practice Tagged With: an oasis in time, azut d/kedusha, holy boldness, marilyn paul, mussar trait, shabbat, Shabbat is a delight

Five Mussar Practices To Charge Your Life In 2018

January 26, 2018 By Greg Marcus Leave a Comment

I am at my favorite Philz, drinking coffee, and reflecting on the past two years since American Mussar was founded. I’ve looked through so many of your stories, and am inspired and humbled by the ways that Mussar is changing your lives. 2018 is a year of blessing - 18 stands for life, and this year I am dedicated to helping you deepen your mussar practice. Below I'll share five Mussar practices you can try. But first some background.The last few months have been rough for me, with three … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mussar Practice Tagged With: american mussar, change your life, five mussar practices, Mussar, mussar practice

The Surprising Connection Between Hanukkah and Self Esteem: A Mussar Practice

December 13, 2017 By Greg Marcus 2 Comments

Happy Hanukkah! Hanukkah is a holiday of joy, to celebrate a miracle. While today we point to the miracle of the lights, the original miracle was the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks. In this time of darkness for many people, we can take heart from both miracles. And as you will see below, there is a surprising connection between Hanukkah and self esteem.Whether or not you are Jewish, there is a Mussar practice I am going to share that I think you will find meaningful.****Here’s … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Humility, Mussar Practice Tagged With: american mussar, hanukkah and self esteem, mussar practice, mussar practice hanukkah, mussar shamus

Silence: A Mussar Practice For Trump Angst

October 16, 2017 By Greg Marcus 16 Comments

Would you like a mussar practice for Trump angst? First a question: If you hate Trump so much, why do you keep talking about him?I asked that question to a close relative over the weekend. We were sitting together, watching TV when he said, “I am smarter than that guy, referring to a sports expert.” He had a little grin on his face, and from the way he said it, I could tell that he was lampooning Trump’s statement that he was smarter than Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.In another … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Mussar Practice, silence Tagged With: Mussar, mussar practice, mussar silence, trump anger

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Recent Posts

  • Who Will You Liberate This Passover?
  • Esther’s Mussar Humility Lesson
  • Call on Boldness to Step Back from Busyness. Shabbat Is a Delight
  • This Sin Explains Michigan State’s Decisions About Nassar
  • Three Mussar Traits To Help You Prevent Another Larry Nassar

LINKS

  • The Mussar Institute
  • Mussar Leadership
  • Bay Area Mussar
  • Bim Bam
  • Character Day
  • Kirva
  • Rabbi Chaim Safren video blog

Jewish Mindful Living

Ever wonder if there is a Jewish approach to spirituality and mindful living?
There is, and it’s called Mussar.
Mussar is an ancient spiritual practice draws upon Jewish historic and
contemporary ethical teachings to help practitioners develop personal skills
while learning about and acquiring practical virtues.
Learn more

Mission Statement

70% of  the Jews in the United States do not belong to a synagogue, yet most maintain a strong Jewish identity. American Mussar offers a path to Jewish spirituality and mindful living that does not require Hebrew or traditional ritual observance. While Mussar is a Jewish spiritual practice, everyone is welcome here.
Learn more 

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