Offering resources.

Hello.

As some of you know, Mindful Boston is designed to be a delivery platform for expressions of care.

I’m sending out this email off-schedule just in case mindfulness could be useful right now as we are digesting the news from Israel.

In March of 2022, the first news of the attack on Ukraine came to my ears. The best thing I knew how to do was to mindfully bear witness. Another good term to mention is: griefwork.

Since I was making meditation albums at the time, I made this one about mindfulness practices during times of war. If it’s of use, I offer it to you again.

As some of you know, the Mindful Boston office is located on the second floor above a synagogue, and this location is part of our network of support.

These are forwarded resources that were listed in the Congregation Eitz Chayim newsletter today:

Resources in the Community:

TONIGHT (Wednesday October 11th), 8pm, at Tremont Street Shul: Join Rabbi Elie Lehmann of Hadar and the Boston Jewish community in learning and prayer in memory of this weekend’s victims of terror, and to cry out to God on behalf of those held hostage. We will learn Torah, sing, and conclude with Ma’ariv. All are welcome, no registration is required. 

Mental health support: Reach out to JF&CS Mental Health Connect by calling 781-693-5562 or by writing to mentalhealth@jfcsboston.org for free and confidential advice, referrals to therapists (including Hebrew-speaking), support groups, and other resources for addressing mental health concerns. 

Hadar is spearheading an effort to launch a communal day of fasting this Thursday (tomorrow) across all denominational lines. You can see who is supporting this effort, more information about the fast, and sign on at this link: https://info.hadar.org/taanit-tzibbur

Support for discussing the crisis with children: Here is a link to responses based on age and development.

Years ago, I didn’t practice creative visualization meditations very much. I always preferred the reality-based starkness of mindfulness meditations. Ever since Covid hit, I have changed my tune. I now endorse visualizations in a way I never did before.

If you missed it, track #5 in the above album is called, “Going To Your Happy Place.”

Taking a break can be appropriate.

As you figure out what are the most wholesome ways to care for yourself, and for the ones in your life, I do hope that these resources can be of assistance.

Kind regards,

Gena Bean
Lead meditation teacher, Mindful Boston