Oren Jay Sofer

OREN JAY SOFER teaches guided Buddhist meditation, mindfulness, and communication internationally. He holds a degree in comparative religion from Columbia University and is a Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for the healing of trauma. Born and raised in New Jersey, he is the author of several books, including the best-selling title Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and son.

"There are many books about meditation and the importance of contemplative practices, but few that manage to remain contemplative-centered while drawing timely applications. That’s what Oren Jay Sofer’s book does so well. We highly recommend this book for everyone on the spiritual path, Buddhist or not." —Spirituality & Practice

"Readers will take away from this gentle road map: how to build healing practices, strengthen what Sofer calls ‘heart qualities’ (by applying ‘patience, kindness, and ease’ in order to ‘etch those grooves deeper’ than the ones carved by anxiety and stress), and develop inner resources to meet challenges and create positive change. Your Heart Was Made for This is a softening—a hopeful solution in a time of overstimulation and the commodification of the mindfulness movement. This guide helpfully breaks down Buddhist teachings for both the well-practiced and the novice." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Oren Jay Sofer offers a beautiful and poignant invitation to meet the crises of our current world and communities with the power of contemplative practice, which helps us to acknowledge the pain that we are all experiencing and reveals how we can respond directly with awareness and tenderness." —Lama Rod Owens, author of Love and Rage

"Using the Buddha’s teachings, coupled with skillful activism, Sofer outlines how we can all access a deep well of energy and resilience to support us in engaging with our most pressing challenges. This is the book we need right now to help heal the planet and care for one another." —Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Life