Learning Goal: I’m working on a jewish studies multi-part question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.
As you read about Mussar and logotherapy this week, this experiential assignment will both help you understand the reading better and prepare you for the next salon. You will learn about Mussar and logotherapy experientially, reflect on your experience, and discuss your findings.
First, choose one soul-trait (as Morinis calls it; synonyms are middah, measure, value, and virtue) that you would like to focus on. There is a long list of options at the end of the Morinis reading, and a shorter list in the Table of Contents of the Brotman reading. You can find a chart listing soul-traits at the top of this week’s section of our Canvas page, too. Any of these options is fine. You will choose one soul-trait to focus on for one week.
Your
assignment for the week is to work on your soul trait through one or two of the following practices:
daily yoga related to your soul-trait (You can browse more of the Brotman book , , and . You can also explore Jewish classes in Los Angeles, or classes at the Oasis Wellness Center or SRC on campus. I am not aware of any official Mussar yoga classes in L.A. yet, but you can bring your Mussar intentions to class with you and they would fit right in.)
recitation or chanting of the phrase related to your soul-trait;
daily discussion of your soul-trait work with a Mussar buddy;
adding a mitzvah (commandment, good deed) to your daily life related to your chosen soul-trait.
You may find it challenging to complete some of these exercises. That’s okay! You should just keep trying. This practice is a process, not a goal that you achieve in a linear fashion.