Rabbi Aryeh Siegel

Rabbi Aryeh Siegel, author of Kosher Calm and teacher of Jewish meditation, offers a Jewish alternative to Eastern practices. He critiques Transcendental Meditation, explains the Rebbe’s push for kosher methods, and outlines a practical Kosher Calm technique and app. They also contrast Chassidus and mindfulness, discuss physiology of relaxation, and adapting yoga and mantras to fit Jewish practice.

Rabbi Aryeh Siegel, a former TM teacher turned advocate for kosher meditation, shares his journey from a tumultuous childhood in Chicago to spiritual discovery. He critiques the commercialization of Eastern practices and reflects on the initial draw of TM versus growing disillusionment. Rabbi Siegel emphasizes the importance of aligning meditation with Jewish values, exploring the risks of cultural misappropriation, and ultimately promoting healthier meditation practices for modern life. His insights bridge tradition and contemporary mindfulness.