Mike Comins

Fresh, Useful Perspectives on the Spiritual Dynamics of Prayer"Better music, better sermons and better prayer books can only go so far. Many innovations have been tried around the world, and no doubt, synagogue leadership will continue to think creatively about improving services. But deep and lasting change will only come when each of us takes ownership and responsibility for what only we can really guide--our inner lives."--from the PrefaceJoin over fifty Jewish spiritual leaders from all denominations in a candid conversation about the why and how of prayer: how prayer changes us and how to discern a response from God. In this fascinating forum, they share the challenges of prayer, what it means to pray, how to develop your own personal prayer voice and how to rediscover meaning and God's presence in the traditional Jewish prayer book. CONTRIBUTORS: Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson - Rabbi Aryeh Ben David - Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSW - Rabbi Sharon Brous - Maggid Yitzhak Buxbaum - Rabbi Mike Comins - Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove, PhD - Rabbi Lavey Derby - Cantor Ellen Dreskin - Rabbi Diane Elliot - Reb Mimi Feigelson - Rabbi Tirzah Firestone - Rabbi Nancy Flam - Rabbi Karen Fox, DD - Dr. Tamar Frankiel - Rabbi Ethan Franzel - Rabbi Elyse Frishman - Rabbi Laura Geller - Rabbi Neil Gillman, PhD - Rabbi Shefa Gold - Rabbi Elyse Goldstein - Joel Lurie Grishaver - Rabbi Nadya Gross - Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD - Melila Hellner-Eshed, PhD - Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD - Rabbi David Ingber - Rabbi Zo Klein - Rabbi Myriam Klotz - Rabbi Jamie Korngold - Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Rabbi Naomi Levy - Rabbi Richard N. Levy, DD - Rabbi Sheryl Lewart - Jay Michaelson - Rabbi Linda Motzkin - Rabbi Debra Orenstein - Rabbi Nehemia Polen, PhD - Rabbi Marcia Prager - Rabbi Jeff Roth - Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi - Rabbi Rami Shapiro - Rabbi Jonathan P. Slater - Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz - Rabbi Ira Stone - Rabbi Michael Strassfeld - Dr. Linda Thal - Rabbi Abraham Twerski, MD - Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg - Rabbi Zari M. Weiss - Rabbi David J. Wolpe - Rabbi Shawn Zevit

Explore the connections between God, wilderness and Judaism. This comprehensive how-to guide to the theory and practice of Jewish wilderness spirituality unravels the mystery of Judaism's connection to the natural world and offers ways for you to enliven and deepen your spiritual life through wilderness experience. Over forty practical exercises provide detailed instruction on spiritual practice in the natural world, including: Mindfulness exercises for the trail - Meditative walking - Four-Winds wisdom from Jewish tradition - Wilderness blessings - Soul-O Site solitude practice in wilderness - Wilderness retreat For wilderness lovers and nature novices alike, this inspiring and insightful book will lead you through experiences of awe and wonder in the natural world. It will show you the depth and relevance of Judaism to your spiritual awareness in wilderness and teach you new ways to energize your relationship with God and prayer.

A spiritual primer on the organic partnership between wilderness and Judaism unravels the mystery of Judaism's connection to the natural world and offers ways for believers to enliven and deepen their spiritual life through wilderness experience. Original.