Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide

This book was written by Rabbi Kaplan, a brilliant scholar. It provides guidelines for Jewish meditation that would help beginners as well as experienced meditators. This is a classic book that would benefit anyone who meditates.

Rabbi Kaplan's expertise in Jewish mysticism shines through in his writing, and his deep understanding of the subject matter is evident on every page. He has a way of breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible pieces that are accessible to readers of all levels of knowledge.

This is a great book for helping you understand the Meditative practices that are supposed to accompany the Mitzvah.

This book is Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's, obm, introductory guide to Jewish meditation. It gives the reader some basic facts about Jewish meditation, such as what meditation is, why one should meditate, as well as practical information on how one should go about meditating the Jewish way. Too often, people think of meditation as something practiced by Eastern religions, such as Buddhism. But Rabbi Kaplan makes clear that there is an established history of meditation in the Jewish tradition, which has been used by the Hasidim for centuries, specifically by the Breslov branch of Chassidism (they call it "Hitbodedut"), as well as by the Jewish prophets in the Tanach, who apparently used meditative techniques to attain their mystical prophecies.This book is a great introduction to Rabbi Kaplan's other, more esoteric books on meditation, Meditation and the Bible, and Meditation and the Kabbalah (please see my reviews of both of these books). I have read all three, and find this book to be the easiest to understand, as well as the most practical.Five stars out of five for this excellent text from a renowned modern-day Jewish scholar who was taken from this world too soon. Shalom!

It is truly an amazing book and I have learnt very much from it. Much of it is though still in the distance for me, as my journey continuous and I learn more I will return to it often. One cannot force understanding, so I will keep it close at hand and consult it as I read relevant concepts in the Bible.

It is a pleasure to learn these secrets of Torah. I am looking forward to incorporating these teachings into my life. Well written by a well- respected Rabbi.

Conclussion: If you're looking for jewish meditation, wether you're a secular or ultra-orthodox jew, you will find it useful.Example on why would a secular jew look for Jewish Meditation? Because s/he is interested in meditation, and Jewish tradition has it's discipline too.Example on why would an orthodox jew look for Jewish Meditation? Because s/he is interested in meditation and he might have heard that many meditative disciplines involve Idolatry in some part (which this book also points out), or s/he lives in a rush and cannot truly find spirituality despite keeping G-d's commandments.--What is this book about (I'm re-reading some chapters, this comes from my memory):First, some chapters on what is meditation and what types of meditations are known. (Just the concept: Mantra Meditation, Visualization, Contemplation; very well explained from the basics)Then, some on Jewish Meditation: Some history, demonstration on the fact that Jewish meditation was a core part to the prohpetic experience, and to the masses as wellThen, a true fact: Daily Jewish prayers ARE best seized only through meditation!So, wether you're a secular or Orthodox jew, you will have to face it as metidation in practice. You will understand the inner a profound meaning of the first paragraph or the Amidah, the first verse of the Shemah, and a broader look at the rest of the prayers as well.Then it will go to explaining the concept of a Mitzvah (Commandment, in meditative terms)Then to living a meaningful life in everything you do. (Like eating, working, having a wife and taking care for the family).If you're able to apply this concepts to your life, through a step-by-step plan (as you read one chapter then the next one) (without skipping any of them)It's very easy to read, and very easy to finish.It's the first time I approached to Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan work. It's amazing!

I truly enjoy reading this book. It provides a lot of good insight into various ways of meditating. It uses examples of different types of meditation and their purpose. It helps guild you alone the way to reach a much deeper meditation state, what to expect when you arrive their, and more important how to get back.This books is good for the beginner or the more advanced. It definitely lays the ground work for a wonderful journey into the world of meditation. Deep meditation is not something to take lightly but if you are looking for a way to achieve better results I would recommend reading this book.I've been a fan of Aryeh Kaplen's work for quite some time and I was not disappointed.

Enseña desde las técnicas más básicas de meditación hasta las más avanzadas y sus implicaciones de manera practica y fácil.

I have found few books with this depth and scope that are written on this topic. Definatly a classic!! The author was so well informed on the topic and he lead the reader towards deeper understanding and practicle steps towards making meditation a part of ones life.

Überzeugend wird die Verbindung von Judentum und Meditation dargestellt. Es gibt praktische Anweisungen, deren Hintergründe gut erklärt werden. Und vor allem auch werden religiöse Grundbegriffe des Judentum (das 'Schma', die Amida) in ihrem tiefen spirituellen Sinn näher gebracht. Ein Gewinn, dieses Buch zu lesen.

amazing insight on judaism and meditation

Revela aspectos menos conhecidos da tradição judaica, e também traz lições práticas. Esta leitura é daquele tipo que você leva para a vida.