Focusing.Art.Prayer
a radical approach to life
Inner meanings and practices of the High Holidays
“A holiday (Chag) is a path to engage with the secret of life.
It is a day designed to enable the human being — and indeed the world — to generate a movement no longer possible within the known patterns of life as we live them.
It is an invitation to the possibility of new creation.
It is structured upon a series of "Holy Actions," each one is a sequence of states of consciousness that initiate a shift in the perception of life and allow for listening to that which yearns to be born.”
[From: A man on a chair by Baruch Brenner.]
The High holidays allow us to encounter the great mysteries of our lives: Humanity, Creation and God.
Shakio Institute is introducing a fresh experiential perspective about the High Holidays and its rituals.
The purpose of this workshop series is to give us language, precise instructions, and inner practices that enable us to transform the holiday from being only meaningful ideas or deep perspectives about life to actually experiencing the processes that these ideas are inviting us to go through.
What is the meaning of “Holiday”?
What is the meaning of the “Holidays of the Beginning”?
How does a transformative ritual work?
A ritual is based on action, language, heart intention, and states of consciousness. What do
these mean and how can we practice them?
What lies deep within the themes of the holidays: Creation, Tshuva, Forgiveness, Tikun, and Holy of Holies?
Why do most transformations occur in the field of prayer?
Through our 4-part workshop, we will explore central rituals and texts, and discover their potential for subtle yet deeply impactful influences in our lives. We will experience how rituals of the high holidays can be much more than conceptual ideals, or a ‘pouring forth’ of the heart; but rather invitations for life-transforming practices.
The goal of this series is to provide a radical new understanding of the holidays. In the model
we are suggesting, the holidays are a time to renew our approach to creation; our approach to what it means being human; and to renew the understanding of the specific unfolding of our lives.
The course is founded upon knowledge from the world of Kabbalah, as well as tools for change inspired by the wisdom and practice of Focusing.
course details:
4 consecutive sessions on Sundays
course starts on August 17th
time: 12:00-13:15 (Israel), 19:00-20:15 (Melbourne, Australia)
Dates: 8/17 ,8/24, 8/31, 9/14
Join the course
Price: 100$
Please write to us if in need of financial assistance to info@shakio.org.
For more information:
ABOUT US
Shakio is a space for collaborative exploration founded by Dana Ganihar, an experienced Focusing instructor and a teacher of the philosophy of Eugene Gendlin, and Baruch Brenner a multidisciplinary artist, rabbi and certified Focusing instructor who investigates and teaches performance art and Jewish mysticism.
Baruch Brenner: An interdisciplinary artist and an ordained Orthodox Rabbi. Baruch has been a leading innovator in integrating Jewish and spiritual practices with experiential work in Art. Over the course of thirty years, he has dedicated himself to researching the world of the body as a vehicle, the realm of consciousness, the language of imagination, and transformational practices through working with ancient songs. Brenner is the author of ‘A Diary of a Worshiper’ (Idra Publishing, 2022) – a book based on a personal initiation journey into the world of Kabbalah and the mystery of prayer. He is also a co-author of ‘The Art of Prayer’ (2025).
Dana Ganihar is a pioneer of the Focusing movement in Israel. She studied directly with the father of Focusing, Eugene Gendlin, A close friend and colleague of Rab Zalman. Dana served on the global board of the International Focusing Institute and is dedicated to advancing Gendlin’s teachings. Dana has initiated cooperative research exploring the potential impact of Focusing practices on diverse fields such as biology, architecture, creative writing and religion. She is a co-author of ‘The Art of Prayer’ (2025).
testimonials
"I find that the practices we explore in the Art of Prayer support the deepest yearnings of my soul. These practices have begun to open to my awareness a sense of life force – Living Presence – bubbling up in me and calling me forward to participate in the unfolding of Creation." Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev
"Since learning with Dana and Baruch, I can mark the time when my heart began opening itself, and pointing the way towards the depths of my soul. As I find more of myself through the Art of Prayer, my relationships are softening and growing. And those closest to me are beginning to find their own softening, growing and soul-deepening." Lynn Rosen
"Standing in front of the gateways of prayer, taking time to breath, observe, listen. Doing this together, even if within zoom-frames, in conversation and silence, with the lucid guidance of Dana and Baruch..this is a gathering with new and known depths, personal and universal, temporal and infinite – we've been blessed to have this opportunity" Prof. Sara Sviri, Writer – The Sufi Anthology
"Working with Baruch and Dana has been a very important and deeply stabilizing experience. Especially when the Corona measurements hit us and fear and insecurity spread I felt I was coming home when entering our shared space. I am so unspeakably grateful for being part of this group where failure does not exist and trials are welcome. Where being human gains a whole new depth." Judith Weisz
"The Art of Prayer opened for me gateways of love towards fellow humans, the world, the future..to the understanding of our communal becoming, and a participation in the processes of creation. Many thanks." Sigal Golan, Psychotherapist
"Touching upon the inner language of authentic prayer, the mystery of communication between human beings and the infinite and connecting with the depth of human experience – this course has provided me with great inspiration. The experience, knowledge and originality of Baruch and Dana transported me from the conceptual to the actual tools of spiritual work". Yair Harel, Founder – the Piyut Website
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