Reinterpreting Jewish Life with Sam Venis
“I am a deep believer that the reason people get stuck on things is because they don’t actually know what they’re stuck about.”
— Sam Venis
Should we reinterpret prayer language and make it softer and more forgiving?
While it may seem more accessible, warm and fuzzy prayer language doesn’t always address our needs. There are times when what we truly need, on an emotional level, is to face stark realities — to be sober-minded and acknowledge the passage of time, our own mortality, and our obligations.
Reflecting on unpleasant or troubling ideas is a powerful tool. In this episode of the Living Jewishly podcast, Dr. Elliott Malamet and Sam Venis discuss how intense reflection helps us make sense of the things that bother us but elude our understanding — and leads to greater peace of mind and healthier relationships.
Sam uses a methodical, self-reflexive mapping process to work through issues, analyzing each of his thoughts and the beliefs that fuel them. Many of our limiting thoughts stem from childhood — from attachment styles, influential memories, trauma, or deep-set beliefs.
This technique can be used to solve issues in relationships, as it ensures each partner understands their own and the other’s perceptions, paving the way for problem-solving rather than arguing.
When you know WHY you feel the way you do, it’s easier to find solutions that match the problems. Often, says Sam, “what you find when you break things into smaller bits is that you are trying to solve a grand problem with the wrong set of tools.”
Are you ready to choose the right tools?
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Whether reinterpreting more severe prayer language makes sense in times of strife, such as a global pandemic
- How to use self-reflexive mapping to constructively work through both personal and relationship issues
- How inner fears and limiting beliefs can stop us from getting to the heart of our issues — and how to work through them