My name in Hebrew transliterated is Yaahov Aharon. In modern English vernacular my first name is James.

I have created this blog to write about my journey with meditation, mindfulness and Judaism. I am an older Jewish man who has been mediating for 30+ years. I find meditation to be relaxing and helpful to lessen my stress and to assist me in thinking more clear and with greater focus. While some of the posts on the website will be my personal opinions about things, I encourage those who visit here to create their own path of meditation and mindfulness.

To read about gaining clarity and being able to have a clearer focus, you can visit https://journeytowardclarity.com In journey toward clarity I share a number of posts that are notes and guides about different meditation practices. Meditation is not a one kind of practice thing. It can be practiced many different ways. While I encourage you to read about meditation, I also encourage you to seek out someone who knows about meditation and ask them to guide you. A guide can lead you though various meditation practices, answer your questions and help you with specific issues that might arise during your mediation practice. You can find information about my specialized meditation program for beginners and those wanting to practice a more down to earth meditation called “Sit, Relax, Breathe” by visiting https://sitrelaxbreathe.net

Here are some facts about Jewish Meditation:

Jewish meditation is a deeply rooted yet often overlooked aspect of Jewish life. Long before modern mindfulness became popular, Jewish sages, mystics, and seekers explored quiet reflection, focused attention, and sacred intention as ways to connect with the Divine and deepen their inner awareness.

At its heart, Jewish meditation is about listening—to the soul, and learning how to live in the present moment. Whether through the silent repetition of a Hebrew word, mindful breathing, or contemplation of sacred texts, Jewish meditation offers a path toward stillness, insight, and community connection.

Early practices of meditation in Judaism can be found in The Psalms:
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

The Prophets who often experienced moments of solitude or silence, such as Elijah hearing the “still small voice.”

Jewish meditation and mindfulness is being renewed and reimagined by teachers and practicioners who draw on traditional sources while embracing contemporary approaches to mindfulness and wellness. Some Jewish meditation practices include:

Breath awareness (neshima) to calm the mind and center the soul.
Contemplative prayer (hitbonenut) focusing on a word, verse or phrase from the Torah or liturgy.
Visualization of light, Hebrew letters, etc.
Embodied practices like mindful walking or gentle chanting (niggunim)

Jewish meditation is not about achieving perfection—it’s about returning (teshuvah) to your truest self, again and again. With breath, with stillness, with sacred intention, we open the doorway to a deeper life.

Below I have added some books that I recommend on Jewish Meditation. The are all excellent books. I have read all of them and have found them to be excellent.