Alan Morinis has spent the last 17 years exploring, teaching, and practicing Mussar, "a treasure trove house of practical wisdom and guidance for inner living that has been built up in the Jewish world over the past millennium." He has written about this tradition in his books Everyday Holiness, Climbing Jacob's Ladder and Every Day Holy Day. Morinis believes that the Torah's truths can be learned through daily practice.
In Chapter 6 of the classic Jewish test, the Pirkei Avot 48 methods through which one can "acquire the Torah" are given. This is a formidable spiritual curriculum that has been revered and practiced by Jewish seekers down through the centuries. Since the intent is spiritual transformation, it is crucial to note that this training is not a head-trip but a process of renewal through the heart. Morinis notes that the 48 pathways have different methodologies including cognitive, social, behavioral, emotional, and character traits.
No one expects to master all 48 methods but certainly one can practice many of them over the course of a year. The one which is most essential according to Jewish tradition is to love your fellow humans. Morinis states that "You don't study Mussar. You do Mussar." He suggests reading one chapter and then doing its practice for a week as an effective way of stamping the quality on your heart.
To give a sense of the variety of spiritual practices in With Heart in Mind, here is a group of them to assess and then put into action during the week:
• Attentive Listening: "Whether in a formal setting of learning or by being attentive to everyone you meet along your way, incline your ear with depth and attention to hear the deeper messages in what people express to you. The more you do this, the better you will get at doing it."
• Awe: "Right now, fix your eye on something that is in your immediate environment. It could be a flower or a pencil, a table or a teacup. Just look at that object until you can sink your consciousness into its very essence, so that you experience how truly remarkable it is that it exists at all. See its material and color and its orderly composition that converge in the altogether miraculous fact that this discrete thing exists in the world. How remarkable! How inconceivable! How awesome! Repeat this exercise as many times in this period as you are able."
• Goodheartedness: "Remember, care for the needs of others reflects — and also nurtures — a good heart. Who needs something you are able to offer? Please make that offer, for the sake of the other and for the sake of your own good heart."
• Happiness with Your Portion: List five things that you feel are worthy of gladness . . . Take a moment to appreciate and celebrate these things that have been given to you as your portion."
• Say Something in the Name of Its Speaker: "The ideas that you speak will likely have been learned from someone. Make a special effort to give credit to the one who taught you what you have spoken."
