The Challenge of the Soul: A Guide for the Spiritual Warrior

What are the qualities we need to cultivate in order to face the challenges of our life with less fear and more courage? In The Challenge of the Soul , Rabbi Niles Goldstein uses a variety of teachings - from Jewish and other sources - to show readers how to cultivate what he calls the spiritual warrior within. Goldstein interweaves the teachings of sages, biblical figures, and philosophers of all stripes with his own insights and personal experiences as a rabbi, martial artist, and limit-pusher to help readers get past their perceived limitations and confront life’s challenges with fearlessness and fortitude. Goldstein identifies eight essential qualities that he believes we should cultivate to approach life with self-determination: openness, introspection, discipline, courage, creativity, stamina, restraint, and perseverance. Then he uses a programmatic approach to explore these qualities and the ways we can embrace them in our lives. Rabbi Goldstein is known for challenging himself physically, mentally, and spiritually. He served as an FBI chaplain to law enforcement after 9/11, has travelled to numerous remote and inhospitable places, and has sought out challenging experiences to rigorously test himself and the meaning of his faith.