Meaningful Life Skills with Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Have you ever found yourself staring at the moon at night? There is something about the haunting lunar sphere in the sky that mystifies and mesmerizes us. What lessons does it teach us? What can we learn from the lunar cycles and from the full moon? Is there any deeper connection between us and the moon? Please join Rabbi Jacobson as he explores the "psyche" of the moon -- and its parallels in our personal lives. Discover how to moon -- and the full moon -- can empower us as we face our own emotional and psychological challenges, and can help us build healthier lives and relationships.

15 Aug 201943min

How much of our lives do we take for granted? How often do we step back and appreciate the gift of every breath we take and every move we make? Do we recognize the sanctity of every moment and every space we traverse? Many of us see ourselves as "victims" of time and space -- always trying to beat the clock and maneuver the places we occupy. Can we learn to control space and time instead of them controlling us? Living life to its fullest means valuing every fiber of our beings -- every second of time and every inch of space. The question is how do we manifest and express that value, in ways that enhance our lives? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as he dissects the anatomy of space and time and teaches us how to master them instead of them mastering us. Discover how to tap into the energy of every moment and location, and harness it toward fulfilling your dreams and aspirations. Find out how to create sacred space in your life.

8 Aug 201941min

The very word death fills our hearts with dread. We consider it as unfathomable as it is inevitable. But what exactly is death? What happens at that moment when soul and body separate? In truth the mystery of death is one with the mystery of life: What happens at the moment of conception when soul and body meet and join? Medicine and science deal primarily with the causes of illness and death -- and ways of battling it, to help prolong life. They address the definition and symptoms of health, life and death in biological terms. But there is clearly so much more. Why do body and soul need to separate in the first place? Where does the soul go to after death, and where was it before birth? Cam we connect to souls after their passing? Do our love and relationships live on after death? The questions are many. The answers few. Please join Rabbi Jacobson for a fascinating journey into the mysterious world of life and death and discover secrets of your own life journey. The soul's journey never ends; it simply goes through different stages and states. By understanding the deeper meaning of death you gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for life.

2 Aug 201941min

What defines healthy masculinity? This question has emerged. perhaps more than ever before, in our generation. Is masculinity about power, aggression and strength -- the historical view of the man as the unwavering pillar that the family and community rely on for security and confidence? Is vulnerability in men a weakness, as in true men don't cry? Or is that an unhealthy stereotype and expectation that has developed over time, one that has evolved into a male hierarchical society with men taking advantage of their superior physical strength and subjugating women under their control? This in turn has caused the rise of feminism rebelling against this unfair balance of power, which has also challenged men, especially with the recent rise of the Me Too movement to reassess their healthy role in society, sexuality, relationships and family life. Some even argue that as a result men have gone too far to the other extreme. They have become emasculated and lost their sense of strength and confidence, turning wimpy and weak as the male stereotype is under assault. And as the vicious cycle continues, we are also witness to a backlash of men trying to regain and reclaim their raw manhood, through male-bonding programs that encourage strenuous work, sweating and learning to grunt again. No wonder there is so much confusion about gender roles and sexual identity, whether it be male or female. How are we to discover the healthy masculine identity? What is natural and inherent and what is acquired and superimposed by parental, social and other influences? And how are parents to raise their boys to become real, productive and healthy men? Please join Rabbi Jacobson as he first retraces the roots of the original male archetype, then identifies the factors and causes that has distorted the masculine role, finally coming away with practical and actionable methods to realign the boy or man you are today to your natural template -- a balanced combination of strength and sensitivity, power and vulnerability, confidence and humility,. Discover how to become the best man you could ever be and nurture your boys to become the best men they could ever be.

25 Jul 201946min

We often hear about listening to the voice of your soul. Allowing your spiritual aspirations to express themselves. Some call it: Freeing your spirit. But did you know that your body too contains many messages for you? Remember, your body and soul have been traveling together through your life. And just as your soul has memories so does your body. Your body silently watches and absorbs every one of your life experiences. These experiences become etched into the crevices of your body, and from time to time your body will remind you of them. It may be through blushing or goosebumps (more superficial bodily reactions), or it may be through your body stiffening up and feeling anxious. Do you ever feel like you are "in knots," or have "butterflies in your stomach?" The body has many ways to communicate with us. It may be through trembling or freezing up in certain situations, or it may be through a racing heart and feelings of panic. Even certain itches, tics, fluttering eyes, or other contortions and knee-jerk reactions reflect deeper experiences -- many of which we may not be aware of. How often do we have a physical reaction to something, with no clue as to why? Someone may bring up a topic, or even express an opinion, and your body lock up or reacts in another way. It's like someone getting close to a raw nerve, which you only become aware of when you feel the touch. Body language is a very profound communicator -- and barometer. Please join Rabbi Jacobson's fascinating class as he dissects the inner story of Balaam and his... donkey -- and derives from it powerful lessons how to listen to our body language. Discover how your body (not just your soul) can save your life, protect your psyche and even free your soul...

18 Jul 201943min

Trust is a vital component in life. Healthy relationships and bonds are built on trust. Without trust, almost everything is compromised if not outrightly destroyed. But which criteria define trust? How do we gauge whom to trust? Which traits and behaviors engender trust? Can these characteristics be acquired? Many of us have been hurt and are justly wary of trusting another, or sadly, may have totally lost trust in others. Is it possible to rebuild healthy trust after betrayal? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as he dissects the anatomy, and delves into the mysterious world of trust. Learn how to identify trustworthy characteristics, and discover ways of becoming both more trusting and more trustworthy in building safe environments and enduring relationships.

15 Jul 201938min

If you were to list the five most important things you want to accomplish in your life, what would they be? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this special tribute to his mentor -- the Rebbe -- in which he discusses five foundational principles he learned from his teacher, which radically transformed his life, and can transform your life as well. Discover how these principles can guide you in creating your personalized list of goals you want to achieve in your life, which in turn will help you focus all your activities and interactions toward a cohesive plan of fulfilling your calling in this world.

3 Jul 201939min

Do you ever find yourself feeling uneasy that your life is kind of empty and aimless? Believe it or not, that feeling is the beginning of a spiritual awakening. Every epiphany, every wake-up call, every transition, starts with a state of discomfort, as you move from one paradigm to another. What other signs are there that indicate the opening of new opportunities? Are we missing these signs due to our dismissing them as just temporary nuisances or setbacks? If you're stuck in a rut, how do you get yourself out of it? Are there ways to generate change and growth in your life when you're trapped by your daily routines and habits? How do spiritual awakenings happen and how do you get started and maintain that awakening? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this intriguing discussion on navigating the twists and turns and ups and downs of your life journey. Learn to recognize those moments when a new opportunity presents itself -- including seeing disappointments as springboards -- and how to take advantage and turn it into an awakening to a higher state of awareness and consciousness. Discover methods to expand your horizons and open up new channels of blessings in your life and in your relationships.

20 Jun 201943min