Lette of Light – שלום (Shalom) What if **Shalom** isn't simply about ending conflict...but about becoming whole?The Hebrew word **שלום — Shalom** comes from the root **שלם — Shalem**, meaning whole, complete, or whole-hearted.In this episode of **Letters of Light**, we explore a different way of understanding peace — not only as something that happens between people, but as something we can cultivate within ourselves.When body, mind, heart and soul can all be heard.Even the parts of ourselves we struggle with.Making space for these parts doesn't mean acting on them. It means learning to see them, listen to them, and hold them with awareness — without causing harm.Perhaps this is why we say **Shalom** both when we greet someone and when we say goodbye.**May you be whole.May we meet in wholeness.**And perhaps peace begins here.**Where in your life is there a calling for a little more wholeness?**🌿 **Join the AusLev WhatsApp community** for Jewish mindfulness, breathwork, Torah reflections, upcoming sessions, and more.Subscribe to **Letters of Light** and join us as we explore the wisdom hidden within Hebrew words — one word at a time.#LettersOfLight #Shalom #שלום #JewishWisdom #HebrewWisdom #JewishMindfulness #Mindfulness #JewishSpirituality #Breathwork #AusLev

What if teshuvah begins not with judgment, but with the courage to notice?In this episode of **Torah & Stillness**, we explore the Torah's words **לא תוכל להתעלם — “You may not hide yourself”**, and connect them to the month of Elul, the shofar, breath, and the practice of returning.Together, we reflect on what we might be avoiding — and how we can meet it with presence, compassion, and one gentle breath.🕯️ **Notice. Don’t hide. Return.**💬 Join the **AusLev WhatsApp community** to stay connected and receive updates about upcoming practices and events.https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gz0R9Yv8Jc86x2GPdk4kky?mode=gi_tWith love, Gilad

As we enter the month of **Elul**, we take a little time to slow down, breathe, listen, and reflect.In this **Mindful Munch** practice, we move between **silence, breath, and the sound of the shofar**, allowing the sound to become a doorway into deeper listening.Rather than trying to find answers, we explore a few simple questions:👂 What voices arise from the silence?🌬️ What happens to your breath when you hear the shofar?💭 What in you is asking to be heard?🌱 What do you want to bring more of into the coming year?Elul is traditionally a time of reflection and preparation for the Jewish New Year — a beautiful opportunity to pause, look inward, and set intentions for the year ahead.If you feel drawn to it, I invite you to **practice this for a few minutes each day throughout Elul**.A little daily pause.A little daily listening.A little coming back to yourself.❤️ If you enjoyed this practice, please **Like, Share & Subscribe** — it really helps support AusLev and allows these practices to reach more people.🌿 **Want to explore more?**Join the **AusLev channel** for more mindfulness, meditation and breathwork practices inspired by **Jewish wisdom, Torah and Kabbalah**.https://www.youtube.com/@UC7xe9ZqadlGcuLkLUu__uNQ #Shofar #Elul #JewishMeditation #JewishMindfulness #MindfulMunch #Meditation #Mindfulness #Breathwork #JewishSpirituality #RoshHashanah #AusLevWith love, Gilad

10 Minutes to Listen & Breathe | Shema Meditation with HandpanWhat happens when we stop trying to do anything—and simply listen?The Shema begins with a simple invitation: Listen.Shema Yisrael — listen, hear, pay attention.This 10-minute practice is an invitation to explore that listening through breath, sound and stillness.There are no voice instructions in this version. Just the sound of music and nature.You are invited to:🌬️ Breathe slowly and deeply, at your own natural pace.🎶 Close your eyes and let the sound of the handpan carry you.🌿 Or keep your eyes open and enjoy the Tasmanian landscape, the chickens, and the sounds of the world around you.🕯️ Let listening itself become the practice.You might simply listen to the music.You might listen to your breath.You might listen to the sounds around you.Or perhaps, beneath all of these, you can become aware of something quieter — the invitation of Shema: listen.שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, יְהוָה אֶחָד.בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuto Le'olam Va'ed.Listen, Israel. Adonai is our God. Adonai is One.Blessed is the name of the glory of His kingdom, forever and ever.If this practice gave you a moment of stillness, I’d love to hear how it was for you. Leave a comment and share what you noticed — in your breath, your body, your mind, or simply in the experience of listening.❤️ Like the video if you enjoyed it💬 Comment and tell us how the practice was for you🔔 Subscribe to the AusLev channel for more Torah, breath, mindfulness and stillness↗️ Share it with someone who might appreciate 10 quiet minutes🌿 Join the AusLev WhatsApp community to hear about upcoming practices, workshops and gatherings:https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gz0R9Yv8Jc86x2GP...May these ten minutes bring you a little more space to listen, breathe, and return to the present.AusLevBringing Torah to the heart

What happens in the space between what happens to us and how we respond?

In Parashat Shoftim, the Torah says:“Shoftim v’shotrim titen lecha b’chol she’arecha”“Judges and officers you shall place within all your gates.” — Deuteronomy 16:18

In this guided practice, we explore the idea that we also have inner “gates” — through the body, heart, mind, and senses.And standing at those gates are our inner judges.

The voices that quickly tell us:

This is good.This is bad.I shouldn’t have done that.I’m not good enough.Something is wrong.

Rather than trying to silence these voices, we practice creating a little space before turning an experience into a verdict.

🌿 In this practice, we will:🧘 Connect with the ground, body, heart, and mind🚪 Explore the “gates” within us and the judgments that arise🌬️ Practice "box" breathing— inhale, hold, exhale, hold⏸️ Use the pauses in the breath to create space between experience and reaction💭 Notice thoughts and emotions without immediately believing or acting on them❤️ Explore the possibility of meeting ourselves with greater compassion

The four parts of the breath become a simple metaphor:

The gate opens.The gate pauses.The gate closes.And then there is space.And in that space...there is choice.

You are welcome to follow my voice, or use the visual and sound prompts on screen. This practice is inspired by Parashat Shoftim and the Torah's invitation to develop not just judgment, but **wise discernment** — the ability to see clearly without immediately turning what we see into a verdict.

As we approach Elul, the month of reflection and return, perhaps this becomes a practice of Teshuvah too: Can I see differently? Can I pause before I judge? Can I meet myself and others with both truth and compassion?

May the stillness between experience and reaction become a place where something new can enter.

Shabbat Shalom.

📖 Torah & StillnessTorah & Stillness explores the weekly Torah portion through three interconnected lenses:

Peshat — the plain meaning and story of the Torah

The Mystical Heart— Chassidut, Kabbalah, and inner wisdom

Practice — bringing the teaching into the body, breath, and everyday life

Subscribe to join us each week as we explore how Torah can move from the mind into the heart. join our What'sapp group https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gz0R9Yv8Jc86x2GPdk4kky?mode=gi_t#TorahAndStillness #ParashatShoftim #Shoftim #JewishMeditation #JewishMindfulness #Breathwork #BoxBreathing #Mindfulness #Torah #Elul #Teshuvah #JewishSpirituality

What if every breath gave us a doorway back to the present?

In this Mindful Munch session, we explore box breathing through four simple phases of the breath

:🌬️ Receive — allowing the moment in

🌱 Be — simply resting with what is

🍃 Let Go — releasing a little tension and effort

🕊️ Rest — pausing before beginning again

Through a gentle 4–4–4–4 breathing practice, we slow down, reconnect with the body, and explore the spaces between doing, receiving, letting go, and simply being.

🌿 Mindful Munch is a weekly space for mindfulness, breath, and coming back to ourselves .

You are welcome to join our whatapp group to get links for the free live session: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KIhKkHPHIJlB1gKpm96Wgg?mode=gi_t

You are also warmly welcome to check out my other Youtube channel where I teach Mindfulness and breathwork connected to Jewish wisdom - bringing Torah to the heart. https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@AusLevTorah⁩ 

Blessings of compassionate awareness.

Gilad

#MindfulMunch #BoxBreathing #Mindfulness #Breathwork #Meditation #Presence #FourDoors #MindfulBreathing #Relaxation #SelfAwareness

What if blessing isn't something we chase... but something we learn to recognise?

In this week's Torah & Stillness, we explore Parashat Re'eh, beginning with its very first word: "Re'eh" – See.

Together we'll reflect on:

* What it means to cultivate a new perspective.

* Why the Torah begins with "See" before speaking about blessing and curse.

* How the Creator's wisdom can be understood as a loving guide for a life that flourishes.

* A fresh way of understanding idolatry in our modern world.

* A short contemplative practice to help bring the Torah from the mind into the heart.

Reflection for the week: What helps you recognise what is truly a blessing in your life?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

If this teaching spoke to you, please consider liking the video, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who may find encouragement in it.

Here is the youtube chanale for more like this :

https://www.youtube.com/@AusLevTorah

Join the AusLev community:👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KIhKkHPHIJlB1gKpm96Wgg?mode=gi_t

May we all learn to see a little more clearly, return gently when we lose our way, and trust that even when our plans change, we remain held by a wisdom greater than our own.Shalom,Gilad

Mindful Munch | The Space Where Choice Lives

Most of life arrives uninvited. What we do have is the opportunity to choose how we meet the next moment.

In this session, we explore the space between stimulus and response through mindfulness, gentle breathwork, and reflection.

If you've been enjoying Mindful Munch, I'd love to invite you to AusLev—a space where mindfulness, breathwork, Jewish wisdom, and Torah come together to help us cultivate greater presence, connection, and awareness in everyday life.

🎥 Explore the AusLev YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@AusLevTorah⁩ 

If this practice resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may benefit.

May your week be filled with presence, peace, and wise choices.

#Mindfulness #Breathwork #MindfulMunch #AusLev #Meditation #Torah #JewishMindfulness

What if the quiet moments we usually overlook shape us even more?

(We often imagine that transformation happens through the big moments—a retreat, a breakthrough, or a major life decision.)

In this guided Mindful Munch session, we explore how bringing gentle awareness to ordinary moments can influence the way we live, relate, and respond.

Through reflection and a short mindfulness practice, you'll be invited to discover how one conscious pause, one breath, or one moment of presence can gradually influence daily life.

This session includes:

• A reflection on the power of small moments

• A guided mindfulness meditation

• A simple practice to take into your week

💬 I'd love to hear from you:

What is one small moment you'll bring more awareness to this week? Share it in the comments.

🙏 If you found this session helpful, please consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing it with someone who might benefit from it. It really helps this community grow.

📱 Join our Mindful Munch WhatsApp community for weekly mindfulness sessions, reflections, and updates:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/KIhKkHPHIJlB1gKpm96Wgg?mode=gi_t

May this practice bring a little more presence and love into your day.

Gilad

#Mindfulness #Breathwork #Meditation #MindfulLiving #Presence #MentalWellbeing #SelfAwareness #TraumaInformed #PersonalGrowth #MindfulMunch

Our bodies can be in one place while our minds are somewhere completely different—replaying the past, planning the future, or getting caught up in endless thoughts.This Mindful Munch session explores a simple but powerful question:Where am I right now?Together we'll slow down, notice where our attention has wandered, and gently return to the present through mindfulness and conscious breathing.In this session:A short reflection on attention and awarenessGuided mindfulness meditationGentle breathworkPractical tools to reconnect with the present momentYou don't need to stop your thoughts. You only need to notice them—and discover that you can always come back to here.Take a comfortable seat, find a quiet space, and join us for 30 minutes of mindfulness and breathwork.