“Thank you, God, for this opportunity to talk with you.”

This description of a hitbodedut session became one of the Jewish tradition’s models for authentic prayer. It was only when Hannah spoke openly from her heart that change began to happen.

What is at least one deep desire you have that brings you to this kind of social-change work? Use at least half of your soul-accounting time to meditate on or speak about this desire/motivation. Why do you care so much? If you relate to the idea of God’s will, is this a motivating factor in any way?

Sometimes we need to flip through several good points until we find one that breaks through to our heart.

To live fully means to engage this paradox and be, at once, completely oneself—unique and distinct—and at the same time cognizant that separation is only an illusion

According to the medieval Torah commentator Nachmanides, the very definition of the word “tov/good” in the Torah refers to sustainability. The trees are the first thing that God acknowledges are tov/ good. Nachmanides explains that tov means that the Creation will sustain into the future.8

Rabbi Salanter created a movement with systematic practices for opening the heart and aligning what we know is right with how we actually behave. This included rigorous study of Jewish ethical literature, fervent and emotional chanting of ethical teachings, meditation, daily practices to develop character traits (middot), and careful review and

We make a soul accounting by setting aside time every day, ideally the same time, to review our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of that day.

It is simply the drive for instant gratification.