Popularized by renowned meditation teacher and psychologist Dr. Tara Brach, the R.A.I.N. process for navigating powerful emotions–Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture–can noticeably improve and transform how we relate to ourselves and to others, especially amidst all that is unfolding in the world today. 

Offered by certified mindfulness instructor and Jewish educator Alison Cohen, this four-week R.A.I.N. course is a unique opportunity to explore this profound, timely practice for strengthening emotional awareness, responsiveness, and compassion. It is being offered during the month of Elul, a period of the Jewish calendar that invites us to prioritize inner and interpersonal work prior to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

The experiential class sessions will be a step-by-step journey through the four components of the R.A.I.N. process. Session 1 will hone in on strengthening our capacity to Recognize what we’re feeling when we’re feeling it, Session 2 will center on the Allowance process, and so forth. Each session will include:

• Guided meditation and reflection
• optional writing prompts
• Discussion
• Jewish wisdom that illuminates R.A.I.N. 

No previous knowledge of meditation, R.A.I.N, or Judaism necessary: All that's required is your presence, interest, and curiosity! If you're already familiar with R.A.I.N., this will be a meaningful refresher and may offer new insights into how to apply this practice to your life and relationships. 

“Often the moment when we most need to pause is exactly when it feels most intolerable to do so…Through the sacred art of pausing, we develop the capacity to stop hiding, to stop running away from our experience. We begin to trust in our natural intelligence, in our naturally wise heart, in our capacity to open to whatever arises.” ~ Tara Brach