Chaim’s Story
The story of my evolution and how I became a spiritual mentor
My journey began with career uncertainty. As newlyweds, my wife and I lived in Israel where I concurrently received Rabbinic Ordination and studied for my MBA. An exciting opportunity presented itself and we moved to Houston Texas with our newborn son. Despite my efforts to immerse myself in the role of a Rabbi, I couldn't shake the feeling of disingenuity. Disheartened, I left the position, feeling disappointed in myself.
A routine medical check-up took an unexpected turn when the doctor posed a stark question: "How do you think you are going to die?" At just 26 years old and a father to two young boys, mortality wasn't on my mind. Prescribed statin medication for cardiovascular health, I grappled with its side effects and decided to take control of my health. I embarked on a health journey, shedding 40 pounds through exercise and lifestyle changes, charting my own path for the first time.
Leaving my Rabbinic role left me adrift, unsure of how to transition my skills to the business world. Despite my education, I lacked relevant work experience, leading to months of struggle in Houston. Feeling depleted, I made the bold decision to move my family to Toronto, seeking a fresh start.
Yet, Toronto didn't provide the solutions I sought. After five years and three unsuccessful finance jobs, I found myself unemployed once again. Feeling like a victim of circumstance, I grappled with shame and a loss of purpose. It was in this moment of despair I realized that I couldn't sit around any longer, so I started driving for Uber. It was a humbling experience that made me confront and break down my ego.
Through connections with nurturing mentors, I gleaned profound insights into both myself and humanity. During my rides, I immersed myself in podcasts. When not driving, I delved into philosophy and self-help literature, and, most significantly, embraced mindfulness meditation. This practice of being fully present enabled me to filter out external distractions and reconnect with my inner compass, guiding me towards a sense of completeness. Interactions with strangers also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the struggles and traumas that all humans endure, fostering a sense of compassion for every individual. Through this new perspective, many of the Jewish concepts I had encountered gained a deeper and more profound significance.
I was soon gainfully employed again working at a prestigious bank. Through mindfulness and introspection, I found solace and clarity as a revitalized version of myself. Instead of idly awaiting what the future may bring, I took proactive steps to elevate my career and enhance the quality of my life. Throughout this endeavor, I navigated the complexities of the business world with integrity, compassion, grace, and humility.
Today, my story serves as a testament to the harmonious integration of seemingly disparate worlds — the spiritual and the secular, the sacred and the profane. As both a Rabbi and a businessman, I try to embody the values of integrity, compassion, and mindfulness, inspiring others to embrace the fullness of their own journeys with courage and grace.
From a young age, I subscribed to the notion that fulfilling certain criteria would naturally lead to success. However, upon reaching the other side of those checkboxes, I found myself grappling with feelings of inadequacy and aimlessness. Through trials and tribulations, I've gleaned invaluable insights and undergone profound growth. I’ve come to understand that there's a long path and a short path. I’ve also come to appreciate where people are and coach them on their journey.
I want you to have a meaningful and inspired life and if you work with me, I’ll use all my education and life experience to help you.
If this has struck a chord and you want to chat, book a meeting here.
Thank you for reading.
“In the Earth, there are so many wonderful treasures.
And if you know where to dig,
You will find gold, diamonds, jewelry, all kinds of treasures.
But if you don't know where to dig,
All you will find is rocks and dirt.
A rebbe is the geologist of the soul.
He can show you where to dig, and what to dig for,
But the digging you must do yourself”
— Matisyahu
The moment everything came together | Discovering harmony and alignment
I've been engaging in daily mindfulness meditation since 2016. Although I began the practice based on strong recommendations from mentors, its impact initially eluded me. Until in 2018 when I had an aha moment.
No, there were no levitations or transcendental experiences. Instead, I achieved a profound sense of presence. I felt a subtle awareness that consciousness is a continuum of experience which encompasses sensations, emotions and thoughts, beyond my control. Moreover, I could discern that there is no “I” which is separate from this unified field, everything is consciousness. This wasn’t a metaphysical claim, it was experienced by me, and has recurred repeatedly since then.
Drawing from a lifetime of studying Torah wisdom and engaging in ritual practice, I finally grasped God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. This understanding transcended intellectual comprehension; it was a profound and intuitive knowing that God is All That Is, and consciousness is God creating my life experience in this present moment.
Intellect can only take you so far. Intuition is the way to live” - Matisyahu