ha'Mind Muar
The Mind Illuminated
An International Meditation Group for Training the Mind and Ending Suffering
About the Meditation Group
ha'Mind Muar (pronounced: moo-ARE) is an international group dedicated to meditating and training the mind, inspired by the book "The Mind Illuminated" - a comprehensive meditation guide that teaches, step by step, how to reach the ultimate goal of meditative practice - liberation from all suffering, also called "Awakening" or "Enlightenment."
The book was written by an American neuroscience professor named Culadasa (John Yates, PhD.), who practiced and taught meditation for over four decades. It integrates Buddhist wisdom with brain science, providing practical and straightforward instructions for making progress, alongside comprehensive explanations about the nature of the human mind.Whether you’re a beginner who wishes to master the technique or an experienced meditator aspiring for a breakthrough in your practice, we offer custom-tailored support. Enjoy personal one-on-one consultations, the benefits of belonging to a Sangha, or both. The group meets every week to learn and meditate, hosted by Oded Raz - an experienced teacher who received direct guidance from Culadasa himself. The meetings are held using the Zoom platform as Meditation Adventures, recorded, uploaded to our YouTube channel, and available for listening at any time.
If you value peace of mind, and you'd like to be harmonious, well-balanced, and liberated from all suffering - we'd be happy to have you with us.
Meditation from a Scientific and Buddhist Perspective
Meditation for Groups and Individuals
The Teacher
Oded Raz
Meditation Teacher
Founder of the meditation group ha'Mind Muar and a student of Culadasa. Has been teaching and developing training programs for groups and individuals professionally for over two decades.
Join The Autumn Adventure
The Journey Begins on October 9th
Meditation Adventures
We invite you to join our Meditation Adventures - well-structured mind-training programs for promoting your meditative practice, experiencing the true nature of reality, and accelerating your liberation:
Intensive Meditative Practice
Four months, 16 weekly online Zoom meetings, over 100 hours of daily meditation, 3-12 days of international retreat, and the attentive guidance of an awakened teacher, supporting and tracking your progress.
Learn MoreMastering the Meditation Technique
14 online classes, over 50 hours of recorded classes, original new techniques & skillful means, supportive Buddhist wisdom & neuroscience, and 4 monthly personal interviews with the teacher, forming a clear path to Awakening.
Learn MoreSupportive Intimate Sangha
Small in size (9-15 members), direct human connection (in a group and one-on-one), over 30 hours of sharing challenges and experiences, a Buddy System, countless opportunities for Q&A, open discussions, and 24/7 activity on our Discord server.
Learn MoreRecommendations
I've been a part of ha’Mind Muar for over a year, and it's been absolutely incredible. Oded is a very skilled teacher and has cultivated a wonderful Sangha where people feel safe playing, exploring, questioning, and learning together. Being part of this group has also made my understanding of TMI way clearer - I thought reading the book on my own would be enough, but having an experienced teacher (who's trained directly with Culadasa) has been huge for me.
Aly Thobani: Software Engineer, San Francisco, LinkedIn
I highly recommend Oded as a teacher of the practices in The Mind Illuminated. While the book is excellent, there are pitfalls that can slow down one's practice and guidance that can help it progress faster. Oded's experiences on the path are invaluable towards the goal of awakening.
Tracy Budd: Satellite Systems Engineer, Washington, YouTube
Although I had been a long-term meditator, my practice was faltering, and I didn't know how to move forward. With TMI, Oded's insightful and kind guidance, and the heartfelt support of the Sangha, I quickly experienced many breakthroughs: regularly entering Jhanas, finding the delicious equanimity of Stage 9, and more. Awakening is indeed possible and attainable for anyone willing to invest Right Effort.
Roni Falk: Epidemiologist, Washington DC, NIH
Oded seems to read minds. Although I'm not a native English speaker, he understands what I am trying to communicate perfectly, and his answers are precisely what I need to hear. I received personal meditation consultations for over a year, which were very helpful for my practice. I am truly grateful to have met him and that he takes the time to provide this service for humanity.
Erik Aellen: Investor, Buenos Aires, Instagram
There's something special about ha'Mind Muar - compassionate, committed meditative individuals and a safe space to learn, share, break down, and explore our experiences on and off the cushion. Oded is a skilled, fascinating teacher. Thanks to him and my fellow adventurers, I feel curiosity, stimulation, connection, and peace.
Sally Mikhlin: Adtech Professional, Massachusetts, LinkedIn
I'd been following The Mind Illuminated in my meditation practice for several years. I thought I'd been true to Culudasa's teachings but was surprised to discover how presumptions I'd made led to errors in how I understood the text and, thus, to errors in the way I practiced. Oded was able to point this out and get me back on track. The shared experiences and support of the Sangha have been great to have, and for all - I'm grateful.
Jay Horowitz: Psychiatrist, Michigan, Website
Oded has been my meditation teacher for over two years. He endows the ability to communicate the content in TMI accurately, clearly, and comprehensively, detecting mental blocks in his students and helping them train their minds efficiently. Should you look for a meditation teacher and a supportive group of practitioners, I highly recommend ha'Mind Muar.
Daniel Sedaka: High Tech Professional, Israel
Oded is a kindhearted man who is patient, understanding, and knowledgeable of the Dhamma. His instruction this last year has helped greatly reduce the suffering I experienced in my day-to-day life. Anyone looking to further their meditative practice can find sanctuary in ha’Mind Muar and be assured that their capacity as a meditator will grow.
Austin Miller: Sales Manager, Oregon
Thanks to Oded, I’ve been able to dig way deeper, so much deeper, into the content of The Mind Illuminated than I possibly could have done on my own. The year I spent with the group and Oded as a teacher was truly precious. I recommend anyone interested in the meditative journey to join this adventure.
John L. Green: Landscape Architect, Sweden, LinkedIn
Our Vision
Complete Liberation
for all who seek to end their suffering
Clear & Simple Path
inevitably resulting in Awakening
Freely Accessible
to everyone in the world
Participation Fee
Provides the funding for making our vision a reality
Want to Learn More?
Curiosity is a virtue. Here's more information:
Solid Traditional Foundations
The Practical Path
An Efficient Way to Meditate and Awaken
The Practical Path offers a straightforward plan for an effective and efficient meditative practice.
Originally developed by Oded Raz, it builds upon the core instructions of The Mind Illuminated and expands them, adding structure and insight to The Elephant Path, alongside a clear separation between actions we need to perform and mental states we wish to cultivate.On The Practical Path, we perform a series of simple tasks that develop the various mental skills necessary for Awakening. Each task has well-defined objective indicators for success, allowing us to know when we're ready to move on, or instead, continue to strengthen our current skills.
We also receive precision tools for overcoming meditation's most common challenges, such as mind-wandering, physical or emotional discomfort, dullness and drowsiness, agitation, ideas, desires and aversions, worries, regrets, doubts, and more.By providing a comprehensive description of the training process as a whole, The Practical Path ensures we're always making the most out of the time and energy we invest in meditation.Meeting Times
We hold three Meditation Adventures a year, each spanning over four months:
- The Spring Adventure - February, March, April, May
- The Summer Adventure - June, July, August, September
- The Autumn Adventure - October, November, December, January
Throughout the Adventure, the group holds online meetings for English speakers every Sunday and face-to-face meetings for Hebrew speakers every Tuesday. Both meetings are open for meditators worldwide, follow the same structure, and revise the very same content. You may join both meetings or a single one of them of your choosing.
Israel sets the meeting time as described in the timetable. International times may vary due to Daylight Saving Time.
The Meeting's Structure
The English meeting reoccurs every Sunday and is comprised of four separate sessions:
We dedicate the opening hour to sharing experiences from the meditative practice, Q&A, and the exploration of daily life challenges through the lens of Buddhist wisdom.
The evening's main meditation session (60 minutes long).
New meditators may meditate for 20 or 40 minutes should they choose to, guided by a repeating bell.
An orderly explanation of the various stages of the meditation technique; the workings of the mind; and the path leading to enlightenment and liberation from all suffering.
An opportunity to ask questions, hear answers, and share your personal experiences. The meeting ends after the last question is answered, or by the end of this last hour.
Face-to-face meditation meetings are held every Tuesday at 19:00. Should you visit Israel, come and say hello. :-)
Questions and Answers
Is this a "Mindfulness" meditation practice?
What is the basis of the method?
The basis is Vipassana meditation, as taught by Gautama the Buddha, combined with śamatha meditation. At the heart of its practical side is systematic cultivation of attention to the sensations of the breath (Anapanna), and bodily sensations. The practice is reinforced by detailed explanations, illuminating the workings of the mind, helping to identify the factors challenging continuous stable attention, and offering efficient solutions (both conceptual and practical) for dealing with them.
Is it possible to reach enlightenment as an active, working person?
Does the practice require faith?
What could I gain if I already have lots of meditative experience?
Can meditation replace psychological treatment?
Must I attend the meeting's full four hours?
Are there scholarships for The Meditation Adventures?
The Triple Gem
ha'Mind Muar offers all Three Gems of Buddhism in which to take refuge:
Dharma
The Wisdom of the Path Leading to Liberation
Sangha
The Loving Support of a Dedicated Practice Group
Buddha
The Guidance of Awakened Teacher(s) to reveal your Enlightened Quality
The Heart Sutra of the Perfection of Wisdom
Contact Us
- 17 Bloch St. Giv'atayim, Israel
- a short walk from Kikar Noah (Noah's Square)