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Shows newcomers and experienced meditators alike how the age-old practice of Jewish meditation can be an integral part of daily life, and can refresh us in our day-to-day encounters, in ritual, prayer, Torah study and in our celebration of holy days.
List of contents
Introduction
I. Basic Jewish Meditation Practices
Ablutions/Mikveh
Sitting Practice
Morning Blessings/Gratitude
Walking Meditation
Lucid Strolling
Reflections on the Psalms
Psycho-Spiritual Journaling
Kavannah and Continuity Practice
Chesed: The Lovingkindness Meditation
Meditative Prayer
Contemplative Study
Hitbodedut: Alone with God
II. Jewish Retreats
Solo Retreats
Retreats of Three Days or Longer
Family Retreats
Yihudim Chanting Meditation
Tehora He/Pure Soul Meditation
Bittul Ha-yesh: Meditation on Ayin (Nothingness)
Divine Protection
Kabbalistic Dream-Healing
Hishtavut/Equanimity
Protection of the Archangels
Teshuvah: Return of the Soul
Raising Holy Sparks
Four Worlds
Inner Harmony
Shadow of God
Tikkun: Healing the Dead
Devekut: Melting into the Divine
Appendixes
Psalms: Selections for Reflection and Memorization
Schedules for One-Day Retreats
Ten-Year Calendars
Recommended Books and Resources
About the author
David A. Cooper has studied mysticism for more than thirty years. His main practice has been spiritual retreats and meditation in a number of traditions, including Sufi, Vipassana, Kabbalah, Dzogchen and Zen. Cooper is the award-winning author of many books, including The Handbook of Jewish Meditation Practices: A Guide for Enriching the Sabbath and Other Days of Your Life; Silence, Simplicity and Solitude: A Complete Guide to Spiritual Retreat at Home and Three Gates to Meditation Practice: A Personal Journey in Sufism, Buddhism, and Judaism.
Summary
To nourish your spiritual self you need "rest" from your hectic life. This book shows you how to do it.
“Renew the soul and your perspective of daily life will completely change. It is simply a matter of taking time, slowing down, shifting mundane consciousness into realms of higher insight and giving yourself the gift of reflection and contemplation.”
—from the Introduction
While broad interest in Jewish meditation is a relatively new phenomenon, meditative practices have been deeply rooted in Judaism for thousands of years. Here, Rabbi David A. Cooper shows newcomers and experienced meditators alike how Jewish meditation can be an integral part of daily life, and can refresh us in our day-to-day encounters with ourselves, other people and in ritual, prayer, Torah study and our celebration of the Sabbath and other holy days.
Additional text
"David Cooper skillfully helps us explore the spiritual depths of Judaism in this beautiful, informative handbook."
—Nan Fink Gefen, author, Discovering Jewish Meditation; codirector, Chochmat HaLev, a center for Jewish meditation in the San Francisco Bay Area
“Reb David helps you to pamper your soul. He shows how one may infuse one's Sabbath celebration with the conscious presence and peaceful mindfulness.”
—Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal
“Weaves the strands of an ancient path into a spiritual tapestry that resonates with the heart of all religions … truly a gift of the Spirit for all times and all people.”
—Joan Borysenko, PhD, author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind
