In this first episode of Parsha, Parts, and Polyvagal, we explore Parshas Vayeshev and Yosef HaTzaddik’s journey—where even in his darkest moment, Hashem’s kindness showed up in the smallest detail.

Yosef couldn’t control being sold to the Yishmaelim, yet the pasuk tells us something striking: the caravan carried fragrant spices instead of the usual foul-smelling cargo. A seemingly small kindness, but one that teaches us how Hashem’s chesed exists, down to the smallest glimmers, even in moments of great difficulty.

From a nervous system perspective, this invites us to reflect: What happens when we learn to notice the glimmers—the small moments of safety, connection, and goodness—even in the aftermath of our own challenges?

In this episode, I share:

• A Torah insight on Hashem’s kindness in Yosef’s story
• How we can connect this to our nervous system’s need for safety and regulation
• A guided mindfulness practice to help you find glimmers in your own life

We don’t erase or deny the hard things we’ve been through. Instead, we allow space for them and notice where Hashem’s kindness—however small—showed up, helping our nervous system begin to settle and come home.

Wishing you a beautiful Shabbos.

Exploring the Block to Forgiveness

In this meditation, you are invited to explore the path to forgiveness, focusing on a situation that carries a moderate emotional charge. Guided by Rabbi Jacobson’s 60-Day Journey, this session gently helps you uncover what stands between you and forgiveness. You’ll bring to mind a situation where someone has hurt you, notice where and how the pain is held in your body, and compassionately ask what this part of you needs. With this awareness, you will envision providing yourself with what is needed to release the hurt, allowing forgiveness to unfold at its own pace, trusting the process of healing.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!

The Gate of Tears: The Path to Repair

In this meditation, you are invited to connect with a place in your life that feels broken or in need of repair, gently acknowledging the emotions that arise. Guided by Rabbi Jacobson’s 60-Day Journey, we explore the concept of the Gate of Tears, a path to healing even when something feels irreparable. You’ll reflect on a situation that feels beyond mending, while giving yourself permission to experience the emotions tied to it—allowing any tears or sounds to come naturally. Through this, you tap into the belief that the Gate of Tears is always open, and repair is possible.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!

Aligning with Your Elul Intentions

This meditation invites you to pause and reflect on your journey through the month of Elul. You’ll begin by taking deep, grounding breaths, allowing your body to gently settle into the moment. As you relax, you’ll connect with your progress during this sacred time, without judgment, simply noticing what arises. Through mindful awareness, you’ll explore what you need to reconnect or deepen your connection to this season’s unique spiritual opportunities. With compassion, you’ll turn to Hashem, asking for His help and support as you align with your intentions for Elul and beyond. In this space of connection, you’ll feel the closeness of His presence and explore what becomes possible with Hashem's support, carrying that sense of closeness and purpose into the rest of your day.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!

Unmasking Your True Self

This meditation invites you to explore the spaces in your life where your inner self and outer actions may not align, helping you gently unmask your true essence. Through deep, grounding breaths and mindful awareness, you’ll reflect on moments where you felt a disconnect between what you intended and how you actually responded. By tuning into the sensations in your body, you’ll move between your true desires and your outward actions, exploring what it would take to bridge that gap. As you hold space for this reflection, you’ll imagine how it might feel to live in closer alignment with your soul’s true expression and bring that energy into your day.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!

Creating Space for Patience

This meditation invites you to explore your feelings of impatience and bring a sense of calm and patience into a situation in your life where you’ve been longing for change. Grounding yourself with deep breaths and mindful awareness, you’ll gently connect with the sensations of impatience in your body, noticing how they manifest. Through compassionate listening, you’ll ask this part of you what it needs and acknowledge its response, creating space for greater understanding. As you tune into any emerging patience, even in small amounts, you’ll carry this newfound calm into your day, allowing holiness to enter.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!

Connecting to The Part of You That is Holy

In this meditation, you will be guided to explore what lies between you and your connection to your holy self. Inspired by Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s 60 Day Journey, this practice will help you tap into any emotions, sensations, or memories that reveal the obstacles standing between you and the part of you that is sacred. With compassion, you’ll allow these parts to speak and fully express themselves. Finally, you’ll reconnect with your inner holiness, noticing how it feels in your body and giving it space to be fully expressed.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!

The Power of Letting Go

This meditation invites you to explore the power of letting go, inspired by the 9th of Elul and themes from Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s 60 Day Journey. You’ll begin by grounding yourself through deep breathing and relaxation, then reflect on a time in your life when you gained something valuable by letting go. As you connect with this memory, you’ll notice how it feels in your body. Then you'll explore a current struggle where you’re finding it hard to let go. Through mindful awareness, you’ll listen to what this part of you needs to release its hold, and you’ll continue the process of stepping aside to allow something better to emerge.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!

In this meditation, you will embark on a gentle journey to meet Hashem in the field, allowing you to connect deeply with your inner self. You’ll begin by relaxing your body and becoming aware of the sensations, emotions, and thoughts that arise as you prepare for this sacred encounter. As you approach Hashem, you’ll explore what your heart truly desires to ask of Him and notice how this request resonates within you. This practice will create a compassionate space for you to connect with Hashem’s presence, bringing forth your deepest needs and feeling supported as you continue your spiritual journey.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!

In this meditation, you will be guided to connect with both yourself and others through the power of compassion and consolation. You’ll start by relaxing your body and grounding yourself in the present moment. Then, you’ll bring to mind someone in your life who may be going through a difficult time, offering them your presence and understanding. As you console them in your mind, you’ll notice how this act of compassion feels within you. Next, you’ll turn this kindness inward, allowing Hashem to offer words of consolation to the parts of yourself that need it most. This meditation will help you discover what you can take from this experience into your day, both for yourself and to offer to others in need.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!

Teshuva: Finding What’s Missing

This meditation invites you to slow down and connect with what’s truly in your heart. You'll begin by gently relaxing your body and reflecting on a recent situation where you didn’t quite act as your best self. Through mindful awareness, you'll explore the sensations in your body connected to that experience and uncover what you really needed in that moment. As you imagine how things could have been different if that need had been met, you’ll gain valuable insight into how to approach similar situations in the future. This practice offers a compassionate space for self-reflection and personal growth, helping you move forward with greater awareness and intention.

Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care:

1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it.

2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website.

3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this.

4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/

Thank you for your support!