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Oren Jay Sofer

Home
About
About Oren
Calendar
Invitations
Contact
Referrals
FAQ
Programs
All Events
Say What You Mean
Clear Dharma Sangha
Immersion in NVC
Retreats
Login
Resources
Articles
Communicate
SWYM Companion
Audio & Video
Reading List
Qi Gong
Books
Your Heart Was Made For This
Say What You Mean
Speak Your Truth Audio Pgm
Teen Mindfulness
Subscribe
October 7, 2025
Practice
Oren Jay Sofer
The Benefits of Meditation Retreat

Why would anyone voluntarily choose to be stuck somewhere with no internet, no reading, or talking? An interview with Oren about the benefits of meditation retreats.

The Benefits of Meditation Retreat
October 3, 2025
Practice
Oren Jay Sofer
Say What You Mean: Tools to Build Bridges

Conversations unravel fast. Learn skills that make the difference.

Say What You Mean: Tools to Build Bridges
September 19, 2025
Practice
Oren Jay Sofer
Finding Your Roots in the Storm

How do we keep our hearts open and balanced when so much is out of our hands? A reflection on equanimity and the small acts that help us stay grounded and connected.

Finding Your Roots in the Storm
May 13, 2025
Practice
Oren Jay Sofer
The Power of Wise Speech in a Fractured World

What we say—and how we listen—matters more than ever. Even amidst conflict or collapse, the way we speak can be a refuge, a bridge, a seed of something new.

The Power of Wise Speech in a Fractured World
March 7, 2025
Practice
Oren Jay Sofer
Love as the Practice of Our Time

In uncertain times, love becomes our greatest refuge and source of strength. Love is something we return to inwardly, again and again.

Love as the Practice of Our Time
Oren Jay Sofer
May 19, 2022
Practice

Why We Need Both Gratitude and Grief

Oren Jay Sofer
May 19, 2022
Practice
Why We Need Both Gratitude and Grief

Making space for the truth of our feelings is essential for keeping the heart healthy and finding a wise response in today’s complex world.

3 Comments
Oren Jay Sofer
January 28, 2022
Practice

A Modern Buddhist Master: Honoring the Legacy of Thich Nhat Hanh

Oren Jay Sofer
January 28, 2022
Practice
A Modern Buddhist Master: Honoring the Legacy of Thich Nhat Hanh

A short reflection on the life and legacy of modern Buddhist Meditation Master Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh.

Tagged: Meditation

3 Comments
Oren Jay Sofer
August 20, 2021
Practice

Coping with Uncertainty

Oren Jay Sofer
August 20, 2021
Practice
Coping with Uncertainty

Uncertainty is a part of life. How can we learn to find more balance when everything keeps changing?

Tagged: Meditation

Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
May 17, 2021
Practice

A Trauma Informed Way of Opening Up during the Pandemic

Oren Jay Sofer
May 17, 2021
Practice
A Trauma Informed Way of Opening Up during the Pandemic

Fear and worry can signal important needs, but being wise about them can help us prevent them from controlling our lives as we transition from shelter in place to a more open society.

Tagged: Meditation

1 Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
February 24, 2021
Practice

How to Handle 'Predatory Listening'

Oren Jay Sofer
February 24, 2021
Practice
How to Handle 'Predatory Listening'

Predatory listening can take many forms: listening with a narrow focus to find fault or confront someone; lying in wait for something to be offended by; deliberately trying to catch someone out; or listening only to gather evidence for a rebuttal.

Tagged: Communication

5 Comments
Oren Jay Sofer
January 14, 2021
Practice

Radical Rest: Why Meditation Might Not Heal This Exhaustion

Oren Jay Sofer
January 14, 2021
Practice
Radical Rest: Why Meditation Might Not Heal This Exhaustion

It’s natural to feel exhausted after all that’s happened. There’s a deep need for healing and renewal. What is one to do when even meditation feels like a chore?

Tagged: Meditation

8 Comments
Oren Jay Sofer
September 5, 2020
Practice

Every Voice Matters: Stability through Diversity

Oren Jay Sofer
September 5, 2020
Practice
Every Voice Matters: Stability through Diversity

Participatory democracy means creating space for every voice to be heard.

Tagged: Communication

Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
August 22, 2020
Practice

The Three Most Common Myths about Meditation

Oren Jay Sofer
August 22, 2020
Practice
The Three Most Common Myths about Meditation

There are three common myths about meditation that can hinder your practice, or stop you from even starting.

Tagged: Meditation

10 Comments
Oren Jay Sofer
August 11, 2020
Practice

The Healing Power of Touch

Oren Jay Sofer
August 11, 2020
Practice
The Healing Power of Touch

Learn how to receive the full benefit of healthy touch, and creative alternatives to access those benefits when we don't have physical contact.

Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
June 19, 2020
Practice

Communication During COVID-19

Oren Jay Sofer
June 19, 2020
Practice
Communication During COVID-19

Whether our conversations are in real life or on the internet, it can be hard to know the right thing to say right now. Mindful communication teacher Oren Jay Sofer shares his advice. 

Tagged: Communication

Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
June 18, 2020
Practice, Personal Reflections

How I Continue to Mess Up Being an Ally

Oren Jay Sofer
June 18, 2020
Practice, Personal Reflections
How I Continue to Mess Up Being an Ally

Systemic racism and white supremacy are in you, in me, and in all of us. Here are some reflections on putting our meditation practice into action where it counts.

Tagged: Communication

4 Comments
Oren Jay Sofer
May 31, 2020
Practice

10 Things White People Can Do to Work for Racial Justice

Oren Jay Sofer
May 31, 2020
Practice
10 Things White People Can Do to Work for Racial Justice

If you’re feeling stuck, here are ten things you can do to stand for justice, show solidarity, and take action to stop white- and state-sanctioned violence.

Tagged: Meditation, Communication

14 Comments
Oren Jay Sofer
May 20, 2020
Practice

The Art of Staying at Home

Oren Jay Sofer
May 20, 2020
Practice
The Art of Staying at Home

Meditation practice is about discovering our true home, right here in this heart-body-mind, and learning how to “stay at home.”

Tagged: Resilience, Meditation

8 Comments
Oren Jay Sofer
April 20, 2020
Practice

Finding Courage in a Pandemic

Oren Jay Sofer
April 20, 2020
Practice
Finding Courage in a Pandemic

Spiritual and emotional maturity doesn’t mean we never feel afraid. It means having enough balance…

Tagged: Meditation, Resilience

1 Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
March 20, 2020
Practice

How to Find Strength During a Crisis

Oren Jay Sofer
March 20, 2020
Practice
How to Find Strength During a Crisis

When things are hard and there’s no way around it, how do we find inner resources?

Tagged: Meditation, Resilience

1 Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
February 22, 2020
Practice

Teaching Mindfulness to Adolescents

Oren Jay Sofer
February 22, 2020
Practice
Teaching Mindfulness to Adolescents

An excerpt on the role of empathy in education from Oren’s book Teaching Mindfulness to Empower Adolescents.

Tagged: Meditation

Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
January 7, 2020
Practice

How do you meditate? Q&A with Oren

Oren Jay Sofer
January 7, 2020
Practice
How do you meditate? Q&A with Oren

Excerpt of an interview with Oren for the blog Thrive Global from December 2019

Tagged: Meditation

Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
November 8, 2019
Practice

Four Questions to Ask Yourself before Important Conversations

Oren Jay Sofer
November 8, 2019
Practice
 Four Questions to Ask Yourself before Important Conversations

There is a saying in many spiritual traditions, “Only speak if you can improve upon the silence.” There’s also a time and a place to speak up.

Tagged: Communication

4 Comments
Oren Jay Sofer
November 1, 2019
Practice

Handling Anxiety

Oren Jay Sofer
November 1, 2019
Practice
Handling Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent forms of mental suffering in our society today. Here are a few simple mindful tools to help...

Tagged: Meditation, Resilience

1 Comment
Oren Jay Sofer
August 24, 2019
Practice

Five Tips for Reading the News without Losing It

Oren Jay Sofer
August 24, 2019
Practice
Five Tips for Reading the News without Losing It

In an age of online connection, record numbers feel depressed and alienated. How can we bring more sanity to our news consumption?

Tagged: Meditation, Communication, Resilience

17 Comments
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