POSTPONED. While originally scheduled for October 11 and 25, we did not reach critical mass of participants. I think right now people’s heads are in a different direction. We are facing an election that has ramifications for the future of our country. Perhaps now is the time to focus on the political process – in a respectful way. We’ll try again in a few months.
In this two part workshop, American Mussar Founder Greg Marcus leads a highly interactive experience to help you contribute to healing the great political divide in this country.
A note from Greg
The Talmud teaches that Rabbi Akiva had 12,000 pairs of disciples who all died within a short period of time because they did not respect each other (Yevamot 62b). Is our country headed for the same fate? The political divide in this country today is a spiritual crisis of the first order. Come to this highly interactive two part workshop to discover how you can become part of the solution.
I have been facilitating a one day version of this workshop since Yom Kippur 2017. Whether in a synagogue or a Limmud Festival, the discussion has been rich and poignant. And frankly an eye opener for many people. Now, the polarization and toxicity has reached levels almost unimaginable a year ago. And the worse they get, the more each and every one of us needs to remember that healing is possible.
As great as these sessions have been, I have often come away wanting more. In a single session, we can cover how to speak to each other, but we don’t have time to explore how to heal and live together. Now, in this two part workshop, we can do both.
Please join me for the Healing the Political Divide Through Mussar Workshop. On October 11th, we’ll focus on the soul traits of Silence and Honor. We’ll explore Mussar practices for how to speak to one another. Then on October 25th, we’ll explore Mussar practice on how we can live together in one country, even when we vehemently disagree.
I want to be clear: this workshop is open to people of all political views. And, no one will be asked to change their position. In fact, we won’t be sharing our personal political beliefs. We will however, learn ways to show up that do not shame and make enemies of people who could be open to change in the right circumstances.
Dates and Times
Part 1: October 11 5 to 6:15 PM Pacific Time
Part 2: October 25 5 to 6:15 PM Pacific Time
Healing the Political Divide Through Mussar Workshop Fee
The fee for this workshop is $25. This covers the two interactive webinars, worksheets, and email prompts between our meetings.
Scholarships available.
Register here for the Healing the Political Divide Through Mussar Workshop with Paypal or credit card – $25
Optional 1:1 Coaching call
It has been a privilege to hear your stories and work with you individually over the past year. Normally, I charge $250 an hour for one on one coaching. You can add one hour of 1:1 work for just $100. In a 1-1 session, we go into much more depth about the impact the current political climate is having on your peace of mind and relationships, and come up with a plan to bring you healing.
Register here for the Healing the Political Divide Through Mussar Workshop with 1:1 Coaching Call with Paypal or credit card – $125
Mussar Workshop Meeting 1: Dealing With Trolls on the Internet
One of the biggest symptoms on of our spiritual divide are trolls on the internet. There are the truly nasty trolls that use hateful, white-supremacist type language from the right. On the left, the worst trolls will add anti-Israel language to any Jewish post, and lament there are not more “good Jews” to help stop the occupation.
Then we have the minor trolling, by which I mean flamingly angry responses to people we disagree with.
The first meeting of this workshop will give you tools to deal with internet trolls, and to prevent yourself from minor trolling.
Mussar Workshop Meeting 2: Proactively Promote a Space For Healing
Setting strict limits for acceptable speech on the internet and real life will prevent further pain and division. In the second session, we’ll look at how to find the good in others, even when we disagree with them. No, we won’t be trying to find the good in politicians. We will, however, find the good in the people who vote for them.
How Will You Show Up In This Time Of Crisis?
Each and every one of us has the opportunity to be a Mensch. All we need is a manual, and Mussar provides that manual. It is easy to be a Mensch on paper. But how can we be a Mensch in a world that feels crazy and insane? It is frankly overwhelming sometimes, and can leave us feeling angry, powerless, confused and/or depressed. From my blog posts and videos, you may have a sense at how I struggle with some of these issues. And I hope you’ve gotten a glimpse of how Mussar can make a difference.
Being a Mensch does not mean being a doormat or passive. It means showing up with integrity and sensitivity to the Divine Spark in everyone. And it means that we show up for life everyday with authenticity and meaning.
I fear that if we don’t start to address the spiritual sickness that underlies the vitriol and division today, we’ll end up going down the same path that Rabbi Akiva’s followers traveled. Learning to recognize our choices is a key part of the transformation process. These issues can be hard and scary and messy. Having a safe environment of fellow travelers can ease the path to change and healing. Because until we are willing to change who we are, we can’t expect others to change either.
One Small Step Towards Healing
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it is that one small step is all it takes to begin a wave of change. One small step is the whole game, because once you’ve taken the first step, it is easier to take the second step, as it says in the Talmud, “One Mitzvah leads to another Mitzvah” (Ethics of the Fathers 4:2).
We’ll leave the political process to handle questions of who has the power. That process is essential. But the day after the election, the hurt will be worse for some people, whomever wins.
Please join us in the Healing the Political Divide Through Mussar Workshop, to help be a part of the healing we all need for long term change.
You’ll get access to both webinars, the worksheets, email prompts, with an optional 1:1 coaching call.
Register here for the Healing the Political Divide Through Mussar Workshop with Paypal or credit card – $25
Register here for the Healing the Political Divide Through Mussar Workshop with 1:1 Coaching Call with Paypal or credit card – $125
Who is this for:
- Anyone raised in the Jewish tradition (whether you actively practice or not) who’s struggling to navigate these chaotic times
- People who are NOT from the Jewish tradition but who would appreciate wisdom from a very old tradition that offers tools for living your best self in challenging times
- People who are heartsick and worried about the state of political division in this country and the world
- People who want to believe that healing is possible, even in the worst of times
- People looking to integrate some changes into your everyday life to promote balance and healing.
What People Say About Mussar Workshops With Greg
Before I met Greg, I did not know what Mussar is. Greg’s clear and wise way of presenting and engaging people in Mussar has allowed me to develop both a daily practice and ongoing reflection. I encourage anyone who is interested in Mussar to learn from Greg and American Mussar. – Elisabeth Sylvan, Ph.D
My wife and I have participated in several Mussar classes led by Greg. He is an excellent teacher and facilitator; in each class, he has a manner and approach which enables the students to find their own path to an insight. The discussions he leads have been meaningful and compelling, and makes connecting the particular Mussar topic under question connect deeply the participants’ everyday life. – Micah Yairi
Photo by Anthony Intraversato on Unsplash