Rabbi Matthew Ponak- Embodied Kabbalah

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GUEST WEBSITE: matthewponak.com SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMatthewPonak https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabbimatthew/ https://twitter.com/matthewponak https://www.instagram.com/rabbimatthewponak Hashtags #Embodiedkabbalah #Kabbalah #Jewishmysticism #Embodiment #Somatic #somatics #groundedspirituality #Judaism #newauthor #religioushistory #spiritualbutnotreligious #spiritualauthor #transformation #love #sbnr Rabbi Matthew Ponak is a teacher of Jewish mysticism, a spiritual counselor, and the cofounder of the Mekorah Institute—an online spiritual center for embodied practice. Ordained with honors as a rabbi at the neo-Hasidic Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, he also holds a Master’s degree in Contemplative Religions from Naropa University. Matthew lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and is certified as a Focusing Professional to guide others to deeper self-knowledge and healing. He is the author of Embodied Kabbalah. Learn more at matthewponak.com The Big Idea: Judaism’s most relevant ideas can be made accessible to people of all backgrounds: 1) Shabbat: making refreshing rest part of our rhythms, 2) Grounded spirituality: being a conscious person who seeks a balanced life and values honesty, accountability, and kindness. Modern spiritual seekers who glean valuable wisdom and practices from distilled forms of Buddhism (i.e. mindfulness) and Hinduism (i.e. yoga) can also greatly benefit from distilled forms of Judaism. The So-What: Burnout is increasingly rampant in our world and we need new approaches—adapted from traditional wisdom—that reverse this trend. Unfortunately, turning to many current spiritual practices and perspectives can lead to bypassing underlying issues. An attitude of deep transformation from the inside-out leads to changes that are authentic, sustainable, and integrated. Key Messages: Making 42 valuable, but obscure, mystical texts accessible with commentary, reflections, practices, and more, Embodied Kabbalah presents teachings from Jewish mysticism alongside insightful inspirations from current thinkers and the world's great philosophers. Author Rabbi Matthew Ponak can discuss: Why people leave their religion The value of learning from religious and spiritual ancestry, even if we are secular, atheistic, or agnostic The value of adapting Shabbat—the Jewish day of rest, delight and gratitude—for everyone to prevent burnout, care for the environment, and live a more meaningful, fulfilling life How to be spiritual while leading a “normal” and relatable life The difference, spiritually, between facing our difficulties and transcending them (and why both are part of a balanced existence) Finding comfort in times of difficulty Pathways for travelling safely on the road to expanded consciousness The evolution of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism from biblical times to the 21st century The common thread that runs through Judaism and other ancient spiritual practices The Source: Rabbi Matthew Ponak is a teacher of Jewish mysticism, a spiritual counselor, and the cofounder of the Mekorah Institute—an online spiritual center for embodied practice. Ordained with honors as a rabbi at the neo-Hasidic Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, he also holds a Master’s degree in Contemplative Religions from Naropa University. Matthew lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and is certified as a Focusing Professional to guide others to deeper self-knowledge and healing. He is the author of Embodied Kabbalah. Learn more at matthewponak.com Sample Questions 1. What is your story? Can you give us an understanding of what you do as well as how and why you came to do it? 2. What sort of person did you write your book for? 3. What can contemporary spiritual seekers learn from the Jewish Mystical tradition? OR How is the Jewish Mystical tradition uniquely relevant to contemporary spiritual seekers?