Aaron L. Cohen • Pathways to Mindful Living

03/15/2021

I've been meditating for many years now and have been delving into Jewish/Hebrew/Kabbalistic meditations along the way.

I have needed for my self (and have noticed some others seemed to desire also) a different way in to Judaism. The old stand up sit down boogie in synagogue just not getting the spiritual juices flowing.

With the steady steam of Hebrews ending up cross legged in Buddhist and Hindu meditation retreats of all kind (myself included) I leaned into finding the quiet way in to my Hebrew roots.

Most Jews believe this is not part of our path or doesn't exist in Judaism (which is why so many seek elsewhere) but meditation and meditative practices have been a part of our tradition as long as we've had tradition.

This is the first in a series of meditations that have unfolded through research, practice and dream. A continuation of our long tradition of going within to hear the still small voice that leads us to deeper service.

Please listen, practice and enjoy. If you listen more regularly it'll become a part of you and begin to work powerfully.
Remember - meditation is a practice!

It is the new moon, the new month of Nissan. The first month of our calendar, and the month that contains Passover, our holiday of redemption. To celebrate this renewal, […]

05/14/2020

In this time of great transition, which demands flexibility from us all, I am offering adjustable rates for those affected financially by the crisis.
If you or someone you know needs help and would benefit from some extra support and ideas during this time please contact me through the link below.

https://www.aaronlcohen.com/

04/28/2020

Hey All. I had this dream that I thought I'd share because it is about us all (the entire planet/human race). It has to do with all the many times we have lived and died as a group and what we need to do to have a different outcome this time. I had the Dream (after a great reading from my friend Angela Patrice) on the 2nd night of Passover, which led into Good Friday - powerful days of transition for a couple faith traditions. I know 9 minutes seems like a lot, but give it a listen - it is about you after all.

I had a dream on Passover and Good Friday of this year (2020) about our collective journey through lives and lives and what we need to do so this go round is...

04/02/2020

Years ago I learned that I needed to become a tree. Originally it was to root myself so that I could be more connected to this strange planet. Then I saw it was also to protect myself from the various winds blowing through the people and society around me. And later still I understood that trees are the best meditation teachers - accepting, moving, dancing with all that comes their way, and growing stronger through the process.
I have done this tree meditation for myself for years and it has been so helpful. I hope you find it helpful too.
Shut your eyes and let yourself be the tree.

12/16/2019

"Every feeling has a variety of sensations within the body and by learning to slow down and pay attention, we can watch as the feelings expressed as sensation move through the body, shift, change and dissolve away."

Use this technique to develop mindfulness for anxiety, mindfulness for depression. Go Beyond Therapy.

11/21/2019

The wrong time is any time that is not in the present. We experience life and time as linear and believe in a continuation of time: past, present and future. One long line from birth to death. But this just isn’t so.

Of course, that’s not to say we don’t have a past and that there is no future. These times exist in our lives, but only in idea form. We remember things from the past and we think about the future, but neither exists. The past is gone and the future never arrives.

Anxiety and depression are symptoms of time and story. They are manifestations of being in the wrong time in a story in your head. What does this mean? How do we deal with anxiety and depression?  The wrong time is any time that is not in the present. We experience life and time as linear

03/07/2019

As we begin our journey inside, we grow an awareness of the thoughts and behaviour patterns that have held us back. The story then begins to dissolve. This dissolution of our story changes the belief system built around the false self, leading to a new engagement with one’s true self.

As the old beliefs and patterns fade, healthy new ways of being emerge and extend into every facet of life. Here, love will find us.

03/02/2019

‘Leave the personal past. What happened, happened already. It is dead, gone, buried. It is in the realm of finished experience. Hanging on to it is to perpetuate your enslavement. If-then thinking trades on the idea that your past experience dictates your future experience: If this was the pattern in the past, then this is the way the future has to be. This way of thinking leaves you no options and perpetuates your enslavement. We cling to this way of thinking to help us fix the future, to gain control of it, because we believe that the future is real and that we can know it. Abandon the future, abandon the past. Put your trust in the moment, in the instant, in the presence of the present, and watch your life become freer than you have ever known it.’

Powerful words from the book 'Healing Into Immortality' written by Gerald Epstein.
I highly recommend this book full of wisdom, depth and mental imagery exercises.
For those open to further understand the human potential and living a healthy, fulfilled life, this is a perfect addition to your reading list.

If you’ve already read this or plan to do so, I'd love to hear about your experiences and takeaways - so please feel free to share in the comments.

02/24/2019

So here is a question you’ve likely pondered and perhaps you’ve even turned to another in search of some guidance toward its answer. The question many of us seek to understand is how to live a happy life. The answer is simple. Relax.

Read my latest blog post below to find out why being told to relax rather annoys me, and what I actually mean by relax.

So here is a question you’ve likely pondered and perhaps you’ve even turned to another in search of some guidance toward its answer. The question many of us seek to understand is how to live a happy life. The answer is simple. Relax.

02/20/2019

As we learn to face and accept our feelings as they are in the moment, we begin to live a more mindful life. We begin to realise that every feeling we have ever had has come and gone – and goes all the faster when allowed to just be, without any narrative.

There is no need to fear, avoid or embellish through story, as you will be guided to simply be with what is; and this is a beautiful, blissful thing.

02/01/2019

“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there” - Lewis Carroll