About the Jewish Meditation Project of Columbus

 

Is this a drop-in program?
Yes! Just come when you can - but be sure to check this page for updates before you come.

What is the fee for participating?
It is free! There is no charge to come.

Do I need experience in meditating to participate?
No. This group is for both experienced and beginning practitioners of mindfulness. Our time together will be broken up with different mindfulness practices.

Why meditate?
Meditating helps us to connect to our deepest source of being. It helps us slow down and become attuned to ourselves, the world around us, and the divine. It is healing and, although not always easy, it can be deeply nourishing and relaxing.

 

What if I tried meditating in the past, and it didn’t work?
This is a very common question, and it seems that there is a misconception about what meditation is and what it means for it to “work.” So, let’s start there. Meditation means to concentrate on one thing. Pretty simple, right? If you’ve ever done it, you’d answer “NO!” It’s actually difficult to settle your mind and bring your attention back again and again and again to your object of concentration. However, each time you bring your attention back (to your breath, a particular thought, prayer, etc), it’s working. The more you practice this, the easier it gets.

Sometimes simply “showing up” is enough. Cultivating a practice of awareness is exactly that- a practice. We practice being patient, understanding, and compassionate with ourselves and others. We keep practicing. We shine lights of awareness on patterns and relationships; over time, things shift. We evolve, patterns that we wished we could break somehow disappear. That’s how you can tell your meditation practice is working. It’s subtle, but it’s profound, and it requires effort and some amount of patience and stubbornness. Ultimately, though, it’s pretty much guaranteed to positively transform your life.

Do I need to know Hebrew?
Absolutely not. Whenever we incorporate Hebrew prayers or texts, we will always have clear translations and transliteration so that non-Hebrew speakers can follow along and fully understand what is being studied.

Who is organizing this group?
My name is Or Mars. I've lived in Columbus for 10 years and have been involved in the Jewish community through synagogues, the Federation, CJDS, the JCC and other places. I've been involved in mindfulness and meditation groups around town but felt that it was important to have a Jewish outlet for my practice. I enjoy practicing with others and started this group thinking others might enjoy it too.

 

Do I have to have my own meditation cushion?
No. Comfortable chairs will be provided. It okay to meditate in any position. Some people prefer to sit in a cross-legged position on the floor, others prefer to sit in a chair. The key is to be comfortable but not so comfortable that you will fall asleep! The goal is to be truly awake.