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Judaism nurtures our purpose in life to make this world a better place. Central to the work of repairing the world (tikkun olam) is the individual cultivation & repair of soul traits (tikkun middot). The practice of Mussar is the work of refining, tuning and fine tuning the quality of our character (middah).

Middah of the Month = Iyar (May): tranquility of the soul/ equanimity (menuchat HaNefesh)

“Striving for equanimity helps me respond to my life with gratitude, to relate to the world at large with the kindness and compassion I most value. Sometimes I manage it, for a while. Then something shakes me and my balance wobbles. Then I take a deep breath and seek balance again. I don't think equanimity is something one reaches once and then the journey's over. There's a reason we use the language of gardening to describe this kind of work: it's a slow and steady cultivation. Once it's planted in the heart, equanimity may be a perennial (to run with that metaphor a bit further), but it still requires tending, and watering, and care.” Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, the Velveteen Rabbi https://velveteenrabbi.blogs.com/blog/

“What’s needed…are ways to steady the heart. The first step is acknowledgment and the willingness to be present. You could almost whisper to yourself, “Sadness, fear, anxiety, grief, longing,” as if to bow to that feeling and hold it with respect. That allows the feeling to open — maybe even intensify for a bit — but eventually to soften. The next step is to bring in a sense of compassion for all the fears and confusion and helplessness. These feelings are all part of the fight-flight-or-freeze instinct in the body and the mind. If I make space for the feelings and they have time to be felt, it’s as if my awareness gets bigger and I can hold all of this with greater ease and compassion and presence and steadiness.” Jack Kornfield in an interview with David Marchese, “Things Keep Getting Scarier. He Can Help You Cope.” New York Times, April 13, 2020

 Additional practices:

• Try yoga, tai chi
• Meditate about your happy place
• Mantra: “Gam zeh yaavor” (This too shall pass)