What is therapy actually for? This week, we got into one of the questions I think about most,  and it led us somewhere really unexpected. We started with the idea of "the edge," that place in Focusing between what we already know about ourselves and what we don't yet know. That's where real change happens. Not in the rehashing, not in the advice-giving, not in mapping everything we've already mapped, but in the unknown territory that only opens up when we slow down enough to get there. From there we talked about why self-help books, while genuinely valuable, can only take us so far, and why knowing something and actually integrating it are two completely different things. The Sifsei Chaim has something beautiful to say about this: the avodah isn't the knowing, it's the bringing-to-the-heart. Because the longest distance is to our hearts, and our hearts need constant reminder. We also got into what focusing sessions actually look like from the inside, from the "edge extravaganza" days to the days you just don't want to go there at all, and why a person cannot take themselves out of jail, and why that's not something to be ashamed of. Plus the Super Mario metaphor that I'm pretty sure will stick with you. Join us. If this episode resonated with you, I recommend Focusing by Eugene Gendlin. This is the foundational text: the book that introduced the concept of the edge, the felt sense, and what it means to bring something from information into the body. Everything we talked about today lives in this book. If you're a practitioner who wants to understand what you're actually helping your clients do when you slow things down, or if you're someone who's been in therapy for years and wondering why knowing things isn't moving you forward, this is where to go next. Order a copy here. This is an affiliate link which doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support my work. Focusing: Gendlin, Eugene T.: 9780553278330: Amazon.com: Books

Ruchi Koval is the co-founder and Associate Director of Congregation JFX, a kiruv community in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been a Jewish educator for two decades, leading mussar groups for adults and teens, and mentoring educators around the world. Ruchi is a certified parenting coach, motivational speaker, musician, author, and mother of seven. She is a Trip Leader for the JWRP, inspiring hundreds of women on their journeys in Israel. She is also a columnist for the Cleveland Jewish News, and her first book, "Conversations with G-d," was released in 2016, with a second book on the way. Find Ruchi on Facebook and Instagram; her blog at outoftheorthobox.com; and her podcast on iTunes or Spotify. For coaching with Rena visit www.mindovermunchies.com.

It's coming.  Pesach is on the horizon and with it comes a growing to-do list, and often a lot of stress.  You want to get to the Seder like a mentch.  But how? Before you get super overwhelmed, join me in this episode and we'll explore: How to prioritize your to-do list so it feels more doable  How to manage your tasks according to "The 4 Quadrants" What to do when you're confused where to begin  How to use your mind-body connection and tap into your intuition to make Pesach prep calmer  Download my free "Tune In Journal" and accompanying guided meditation here.  For more information about my 1:1 coaching and group programs, check out renareiser.com.

Getting over 30,000 downloads on my podcast is really exciting. I've put a lot of work into my podcast over the last almost three years…and it is gratifying to see the numbers go up.It's a way to celebrate together with you, my listeners, and say THANK YOU for being here on this journey.  Here comes the BUT. Is it really about the numbers?In this episode we'll explore: The real reason and motivation behind my podcast How outside feedback can be gratifying in some circumstances Where encouragement should really come from How to fill ourselves up from the inside Areas in your life where you're holding on to an external measure of success Download my free "Tune In Journal" and accompanying guided meditation here.  For more information about my 1:1 coaching and group programs, check out renareiser.com.

Let's talk about LOVE.So many of my clients ask me: "Why is it that when my husband shows me his love, I don't really feel it so much...it doesn't feel enough; I always want more!" What's going on here? We want to be able to receive the love from our loved ones. But maybe we're getting in our own way? In this episode we'll explore: - Why can't you be receptive to your husband's love - What does it mean to have an empty love-bucket - What self-love has got to do with this and how to do this practically  - How to pay attention to your own core-needs and what happens when you do - How to practically become a recipient of love - What happens to LOVE when we take care of our own needs Download my free "Tune In Journal" and accompanying guided meditation here.  For more information about my 1:1 coaching and group programs, check out renareiser.com.

On this past Sunday, I led a sample class for my upcoming program, Tune In: Discover Your Inner Wisdom. You can listen to the recording & register for the program here. Bring your favorite warm drink and an open heart and mind... On the agenda: I started off with a grounding meditation I taught a bit about connecting to our inner wisdom We discussed a bit We practiced what we learned (not recorded) We returned with glowing faces and discuss some more A bit about the upcoming program: This brand new course is open to women who want to learn how to distinguish the voice of their intuition from the voice of their inner critic. It is the 1st part in a series. For many of us, our decision making is hampered because we mistake our inner critic as our voice of reason. We act from fear, confusion, and unfair expectations. By learning to find the voice of your intuition, you'll discover a world of trust and compassion you didn't know existed. You'll finally be in a place to grow and make powerful changes. This course will be the prerequisite for all my other upcoming courses. The group is limited to 8 women. We meet over zoom with our videos on, and practice in pairs during and between sessions. Time: Sundays 9-11am EDT / 4-6pm Israel - 10 meetings April 25 - July 11 (excluding Erev Shavuos and the Fast of 17 Tammuz). Join us here.

We want to act appropriately towards the people around us.  We want to be compassionate. But we're human, and yes, we slip up.  So we apologize… and then we slip up. Again. Is this a familiar cycle? In this episode we explore: How do we make sense of this cycle? Is our apology an "empty promise"? What is the role of apologizing? What's the difference between apologizing for feelings and apologizing for behaviors?  How recognizing that you slipped up actually promotes connection. What does it mean to be human? What's all this got to do with being underfed and tired?  Download my free "Tune In Journal" and accompanying guided meditation here.  For more information about my 1:1 coaching and group programs, check out renareiser.com.

Uncomfortable feelings and emotions?  Sometimes we want to run away. We repress, numb, ignore them... Sometimes they come out in tears, anger, overwhelm.  Often we just don't know what to do with them.  Many of my clients have asked me recently... "What can I do with all my feelings and emotions? What is the healthy response to emotions and feelings?" In this week's show I'll share with you: 3 different ways to deal with emotions that work best for me and my clients.  Why we thinking emotions will hurt us, but what they're really here to do What does it mean to "greet an emotion like it's the first time" and why is this such a fundamental step  How to uncover the need beneath the emotions What it means to be "in a relationship" with our emotions Download my free "Tune In Journal" and accompanying guided meditation here.  For more information about my 1:1 coaching and group programs, check out renareiser.com.