Reddit reviews Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar
We found 3 Reddit comments about Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Trumpeter
> There are some negative personality traits which I daily fall prey to that I want to eliminate
This is where I figured you were heading. You are certainly not alone, everyone probably has some trait that they could do without. It's a wonderful thing that you are so conscious of them and determined to change them - that's half the battle. To quote one of many rabbis: "For a person is alive only in order to break a [negative] character trait that he has not broken until now. Therefore one should always strengthen one’s self; for if he does not strengthen himself, why is he alive?” You're not likely to reach a point of "perfection" - but struggling in that direction is to really live.
There is a topic in Judaism called "mussar" - essentially self-improvement and character traits. There is an author Alan Morinis who has written a few books about mussar in a way that's accessible for non-Jews.
One thing that I keep in mind for myself is that one day I'll have children and I don't want to pass on my negative traits to them. God willing one day you'll have your own family, and you have the opportunity to build yourself up into the best possible husband and father. Figure out who you want to be, stay focused on it, and you can achieve it.
I have been practicing Mussar for 6ish years and it has changed my life.
"The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions: Finding Balance Through the Soul Traits of Mussar" is the most recent and accessible Mussar book. "Everyday Holiness" came out about ten years ago, and helped spark the current Mussar revival. "Changing the World from the Inside Out" brings together Mussar with social activism.
In terms of resources, American Mussar, The Mussar Institute, and the Center for Contemporary Mussar are good websites to look at.
Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis
I feel like I'm always mentioning this book on Reddit and in person. I cannot emphasize enough how powerful this book is, the mussar teachings are something that both religious and non-religious can appreciate.