The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions

Bring your everyday life into alignment with your aspirational values through Mussar, a thousand-year-old Jewish practice of spiritual growth based on mindful living. Perfect for anyone, regardless of age or experience, this comprehensive book presents thirteen soul traits--ranging from humility and gratitude to trust and honor--and the simple daily actions you can take to develop them.

Drawing on universal principles and providing grounded instruction, The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions helps you explore soul traits through daily techniques and exercises, including mantras, mindful observation, and journaling. Nurture your spirit with inspiring stories and build a soul trait profile to better understand yourself. By dedicating two weeks of practice to each trait, you'll see major changes in how you approach the world and feel empowered to be your best self.

Praise:

"The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions opens wide the doors to a traditional Jewish spiritual practice that has the power to transform your life."--Alan Morinis, Dean, The Mussar Institute and author of Everyday Holiness

"Weaving ancient wisdom with twenty-first-century circumstances, Greg Marcus beautifully presents how the teachings of Mussar can bring you a deeper sense of purpose and a better life."--Tiffany Shlain, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and creator of The Making of a Mensch

"With clarity and wisdom, Greg Marcus guides us through practice, learning, inspiration, perspective, and humor to a life that is worth living. Here is a book that gives us daily practical encouragement to step through the door of our shining potential."--Rabbi Shefa Gold, author of The Magic of Hebrew Chant

"Greg Marcus takes the wisdom and insights of the traditional practice of Mussar and refines it for the contemporary American of any religious background."--Rabbi Ira F. Stone, Mussar Leadership Program

"Whether you're Reform, Orthodox, or non-conformidox, pause your soul searching for a second and pick up this book. Greg Marcus' fresh take on the ancient wisdom of Mussar might just be the spiritual alarm clock you need."--David Sax, author of Save the Deli

"Greg Marcus' book will be invaluable for those who are committed to personal growth and are seeking a framework to examine the inner life."--Rabbi Jill Hammer, director of spiritual education at the Academy for Jewish Religion and author of Sisters at Sinai

"Greg Marcus swings the door wide open to spiritual seekers of all backgrounds with this hospitable introduction to Mussar."--Rabbi David Jaffe, author of Changing the World From the Inside Out

"The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions is an incredibly practical book to walk an inner path of spirituality. Greg Marcus introduces Mussar to Jews and non-Jews alike as a way to look inside and find the inner 'Soul Traits' one by one."--Jeffrey M. Schwartz, MD, author of You Are Not Your Brain

"A wonderful book that is rich in insights and practical information about the crucial spiritual work of self-transformation . . . This is down-to-earth Mussar that will be useful for everyone."--Rabbi Yoel Glick, author of Walking the Path of the Jewish Mystic

"The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions should take its place on the bookshelf of all seekers who are interested in the joys and challenges of serious personal growth."--Marilyn Paul, PhD, author of It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys

"With clear, charming, inspirational writing and thoughtful self-help assessments, this book can help change your life for the better."--Scott Behson, PhD, bestselling author of The Working Dad's Survival Guide

"A powerful and practical guide to making a bigger impact on the world by being a better person."--Karin Hurt, author of Winning Well

" The Spiritual Art of Good Actions] combines all the elements of contemporary learning in one engaging flow--deep wisdom, sources that surprise and captivate, a strategic framework that empowers the learner to keep learning, personal experience wittily and honesty shared, and a blueprint of practice to bring it all to everyday life."--Estee Solomon Gray, tech entrepreneur, Jewish community leader, and co-creator of Limmud Bay Area

"To all those interested in becoming a better person and learning about Mussar, Greg Marcus's The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions is an excellent life-changer "--Ezra Barany, author of the international bestselling thriller series The Torah Codes

"The fundamental message of Marcus' book is that spiritual journeys are becoming increasingly mainstream and that they are accessible to anyone wanting to become more whole and holy . . . His enthusiasm will make the most skeptical reader give Mussar a try and the book's step-by-step instructions will make the path easier to follow."--Edith Brotman author of Mussar Yoga

"Greg Marcus' book provides personal-development and practical spiritual teachings in an easily understandable manner applicable by anyone from any religious or spiritual background . . . A much-needed modern spiritual guide to ethical behavior."--Nina Amir, Inspiration to Creation Coach and bestselling author