PATHWAY TO THE INNER LIFE

A Beginning Course in Mussar

In Three Parts

In this engaging va'ad-based course, you will learn from three revered Mussar teachers: Dr. Alan Morinis, Founder of The Mussar Institute, Rabbi Amy Eilberg, the first ordained woman Rabbi in the Conservative tradition, and Rabbi Avi Fertig, the Director of Mussar at TMI. Each of these teachers will introduce the main concepts and context for one of the three parts.

Your course will be guided by a Mussar facilitator as you work in your va'ad or small group and with your chevruta or partner. You will refine your understanding and develop new skills as you grow in awareness and wisdom, and transform your sense of your own inner nature, your relationships with those closest to you, and your relationship with the Divine Presence.

Pathway to The Inner Life is a course in three parts, intended to be taken sequentially.

Part I: Connecting Self and Soul, introduction by Alan Morinis

Part II: Transforming Relationships, introduction by Rabbi Amy Eilberg

Part III: Engaging the Divine Presence, introduction by Avi Fertig

In all three parts, you will experience Mussar practices, such as text study, cheshbon ha'nefesh or accounting of the soul, visualization, chanting, meditation, and kaballot or exercises. You will study on your own, with a chevruta or study partner and in your va'ad or small group.

How the Course is Delivered

You'll begin each of the three parts with an essay and recorded podcast followed by bi-weekly texts and practices to help you prepare for six weekly va'ad sessions and four chevruta sessions.

MEET YOUR FACILITATORS

Part I: Connecting Self and Soul

In the Jewish perspective, the soul is the primary essence of who we are. However, we do not necessarily experience our inner lives in this way, and instead develop a belief that ourselves, our egos, form our primary identity.

In following the path of Mussar to build our inner lives, we have to come to appreciate the difference between self and soul, and especially to develop an understanding of the ideal relationship we can foster between these two dimensions.

In the first part of this three-part course, we bring these ideas to bear by focusing on four inner traits (middot) that with deeper understanding and balance can give us insight into and brighten the light of our soul. These are:

Humility/Anavah
Simplicity/Histapkut
Strength/Gevurah
Alacrity/Zerizut

Alan Morinis provides the introductory essay and podcast.

Sessions / Facilitators:

TUITION:

Non-Chaverim Tier 1 $330
Non-Chaverim Tier 2 $282
Non-Chaverim Tier 3 $198

Chaverim members enjoy a 15% discount off of course pricing. Members, please select the Chaverim rate of your choice on your registration form, membership will be verified before your enrollment is secured for the course.

We invite everyone to become a Chaver or Chavera.

Starts: Late Spring 2024

Part I and II Combo

We have a special Combo offer opening Winter 2024. Enroll in both Part I and Part II for the price of Part I with a Manchim Advanced Mussar Facilitator Trainee. Hand-selected trainees will be completing their Manchim training for advanced-level Mussar facilitation certification with TMI. They have an added benefit of trainee supervision so you'll be in good hands.

Part I Session / Facilitator:

Audrey Warner, Thursdays, 7-8:30pm ET, 2/22-4/25/2024

Part II Session / Facilitator:

Audrey Warner, Thursdays, 7-8:30pm ET, 5/9-7/11/2024

Tuition:

Non-Chaverim Tier 1 $330 both Part I and Part II
Non-Chaverim Tier 2 $282 both Part I and Part II
Non-Chaverim Tier 3 $198 both Part I and Part II

We invite everyone to become a Chaver or Chavera.

Starts: February 2024

Part II: Transforming Relationships

Our relationships are where "the rubber hits the road. " Too often, our relationships with those closest to us are the most problematic. In this eight-week section, we will explore the middot that are directly linked with relationships and transform, or radically alter our insight into and ability to balance them. We'll study:

Patience/Savlanut
Anger/Ka’as
Lovingkindness/Chesed
Forgiveness/Selicha

Sessions / Facilitators:

Chasya Steinbauer, Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm ET, 1/16-3/12/24 (Version 2.0)
Jason Winston, Sundays, 2-3:30pm ET, 2/18-4/14/24 (Version 2.0)
Jeffrey Amer, Thursdays, from 7-8:30pm ET from 3/14/24-5/16/24. *NEW upgraded Part II (V 3.0) - see more info about course and tuition below.

Tuition:

Non-Chaverim Tier 1 $275 (Version 2.0)
Non-Chaverim Tier 2 $235 (Version 2.0)
Non-Chaverim Tier 3 $165 (Version 2.0)

We invite everyone to become a Chaver or Chavera.

*NEW Part II: Transforming Relationships - Upgraded Version 3.0

Special soft launch of upgraded “Pathway to the Inner Life” course, open to those who have completed Part I.

Sessions/Facilitator:

Jeffrey Amer, Thursdays, from 7-8:30pm ET from 3/14/24-5/16/24.

With the exception of weeks 1 and 2, the Va'ad meets every other week with a Chevruta meeting during the off weeks.

This is a continuation of the NEW Part I Va’ad, Connecting Self and Soul.

Tuition:

Non-Chaverim Tier 1 $330 (New Version 3.0)

Non-Chaverim Tier 2 $282 (New Version 3.0)

Non-Chaverim Tier 3 $198 (New Version 3.0)

Chaverim members enjoy a 15% discount off of course pricing. We invite everyone to become a Chaver or Chavera.

Registration for this special va'ad is only available via email during the soft launch rollout period. Please reach out to info@mussarinstitute.org for registration and inquiries.

Part III: Engaging the Divine Presence

In this portion of Pathway to The Inner Life, you will deepen your personal relationship to God, the Other, or the Divine Presence and come to understand the context of personal growth in relationship to your spiritual life.

You will explore the middot of:

Gratitude/Hakarat Ha’tov
Trust/Bitachon
Honor/Kavod
Faith/Emunah

Sessions / Facilitators:

Jason Winston, Sundays, 2-3:30pm ET, 4/28-6/23/24 (Version 2.0)

Tuition:

Non-Chaverim Tier 1 $275 (Version 2.0)
Non-Chaverim Tier 2 $235 (Version 2.0)
Non-Chaverim Tier 3 $165 (Version 2.0)

Non-Chaverim Tier 1 $330 (Version 3.0 Pilot)
Non-Chaverim Tier 2 $282 (Version 3.0 Pilot)
Non-Chaverim Tier 3 $198 (Version 3.0 Pilot)

We invite everyone to become a Chaver or Chavera.

Part III is open to those who have completed Parts I and II