The masters of Mussar did not intend for us to use middot as a tool for polishing our souls until they shone brightly. They intended us to use the tools of Mussar to create the conditions necessary to forge a world characterized by compassion and justice.

Written by Rabbi Ira Stone

Mussar is like a handshake with meditation, which readies the soul for service to the other I encounter.  We Mussar practitioners cultivate a range of soul traits or qualities that we can connect with in a given moment.  Our quieted soul can discern which quality is called for--patience, humility, silence, trust.

By Daniel Murphy

To walk with such a friend is a rare treasure and a great privilege.   In fact, many CCM students say that getting to know their Chavruta is one of the things they most value in our Foundations and Transformations programs. 

By Cathy Schechter

Obligation.  We know we cannot do this healing work alone.  We need community to help us to be ever watchful and awake to the needs of one another.

By Heidi Schneider

It is through gratitude that we become aware of our interdependence not only with others, seen and unseen, but with the material world, both man-made and natural, within which we live out our lives

By Hope Melton

My daily cheshbon hanefesh (spiritual accounting) helped me recognize the many forms this unhelpful self-effacing tendency has taken, including performing piano. Even though I had studied piano for years, I could never play for other people.

By Sonia Voynow