Meditation empowers us to transcend our material mind-set and touch the Infinite and Eternal.
“True meditation transforms the way we see reality.... It touches the place inside us where a spark of the Eternal dwells. Meditation unites us with our true Self.”
—from the Introduction
The life of meditation is much more than the act of sitting for half an hour or forty-five minutes and looking inward. It is a whole way of life. Through meditation we learn to live in a heightened awareness and walk at all times in the presence of God.
Rabbi Yoel Glick brings wisdom from personal experience and Eastern traditions to illuminate and vitalize familiar Jewish rituals, vocabulary and imagery. He provides specific guidelines and practical techniques grounded in Judaism for each stage of the life of meditation, outlining the inner processes we encounter and the questions we face:
- How does meditation help us connect with the Collective Jewish Soul?
- What happens in our mind, body and soul when we meditate?
- How do we resist the pull of a material mind-set and live in expanded consciousness?
- What does it feel like to reach union with our spiritual source?
- How do we remain aware of God’s living presence in our everyday life?
“A concrete, well-organized primer.... Beginners will feel comfortable here, but even those more experienced in meditation, whatever their religious affiliation, will find much to expand their practice.”
—American Library Association’s Booklist
“Excellent.... An especially rich and wise resource for the seeker.”
—Nan Fink Gefen, author, Discovering Jewish Meditation: Instruction and Guidance for Learning an Ancient Spiritual Practice
“Opens doors in our soul that connect us to the power and beauty of the Jewish tradition and the wider expanses and all-embracing love of a universal vision.”
—Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (z"l), author, Davening: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Prayer
“[A] rare find.... Dares to step out of the habits of insularity by drawing on Eastern wisdom to illuminate the mysteries hidden in traditional Jewish practice. A masterpiece of bold erudition and passion that is both beautiful and comprehensive.”
—Rabbi Shefa Gold, author, The Magic of Hebrew Chant: Healing the Spirit, Transforming the Mind, Deepening Love
“Theory, practice, example—it’s all here.... A tapestry we all can trace.”
—Swami Yogeshananda, Trabuco Monastery; former director of the Vedanta Center of Atlanta
“Invites the Jewish seeker—every seeker—to meet our true selves, to nurture our souls and so ultimately live in service of the Holy One.... How fortunate are we to have such a gentle, well-versed and compelling guide.”
—Rabbi Jonathan P. Slater, DMin, codirector of programs, Institute for Jewish Spirituality; author, A Partner in Holiness: Deepening Mindfulness, Practicing Compassion and Enriching Our Lives through the Wisdom of R. Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev’s Kedushat Levi
“This book ... transforms us into divine instruments. I recommend this gem to readers of every religious background.”
—Dr. Maria Reis Habito, Zen teacher, Maria Kannon Zen Center; international program director, Taipei Museum of World Religions
“The best book I know of about meditation—Jewish or otherwise. Written with clarity and depth, [it] is destined to become a classic.”
—Yossi Klein Halevi, senior fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute; author, Like Dreamers
“The goal of meditation is to control the thought waves of the mind and divert that one-pointed mind to God. Rabbi Yoel Glick explores various spiritual traditions along with his Jewish faith and points out that goal wonderfully.”
—Swami Chetanananda, monk, Ramakrishna Order; minister, Vedanta Society of St. Louis
“Rabbi Yoel Glick reveals the way into the inner sanctuary of your soul and avails you to learn to utilize your Divine Intuition and Wisdom; to dwell in the Home of the One. It is miraculous how the vastness of the Divine Wisdom can be funneled into ‘lightbites’ digestible to all. Rabbi Glick is such a miracle-maker!”
—Reb Mimi Feigelson, lecturer in Rabbinics and Chassidic Thought, American Jewish University
“Using the tools of meditation and the wisdom of ancient teachers, Rabbi Yoel Glick’s guidance enhanced my own meditation practice, deepening my inner life and further uplifting me toward the Divine.”
—Elie Kaplan Spitz, author, Does the Soul Survive? A Jewish Journey to Belief in Afterlife, Past Lives & Living with Purpose
“Despite all of the positive benefits of meditation, most of us struggle putting it into practice. Rabbi Glick offers the wise guidance you need to start or restart a regular meditation practice for a lifetime of spiritual mindfulness.”
—Edith Brotman, PhD, RYT-500, yoga teacher; author, Mussar Yoga: Blending an Ancient Jewish Spiritual Practice with Yoga to Transform Body and Soul
“The most sensitive and complete book on Jewish meditation to date.... Presented in a logical and easy-to-read format.... A wonderful book that is a necessity for every meditator’s bookshelf.”
—Avram Davis, founder and codirector, Chochmat HaLev; editor, Meditation from the Heart of Judaism: Today’s Teachers Share Their Practices, Techniques, and Faith
Why did you write this book?
There is a lot of talk in Jewish circles these days about deemphasizing the role of God in our religion. I think that the opposite is needed—more God, not less. I believe that many people are thirsting for a connection to something greater than themselves. They are seeking an experience of a transcendent reality—but in a way that infuses their daily life. Meditation offers a path to such an experience.
My meditation practice has given greater meaning and purpose to my life. It has helped me to live with deeper awareness and sensitivity. It uplifts my day-to-day existence. I believe it can do the same for others. Jewish meditation has the potential to transform the inner life of our religion.
In order to guide people toward this goal, a book was needed that would provide a comprehensive approach to the meditative life. This book would present concrete guidance about the challenges and opportunities that occur during meditation. It would provide insight into the spiritual processes that take place in our consciousness when we enter into our inner reality. It would also offer lots of different techniques to open up multiple routes for encountering God, because every person is different; everyone has his or her own path to the true Self. This is the book I have endeavored to write.
If this is a book about Jewish meditation, why do you include Eastern teachings?
Through my engagement with Eastern religions and spiritual teachers over the years, I have discovered a lot of important knowledge about meditation—its theory and practice—that I believe can be very useful in trying to approach and understand Jewish meditation. There is an extensive spiritual literature in the East that deals with the nature of inner experience and the realms of higher consciousness. Hinduism, in particular, offers much wisdom about forming a personal relationship with God. This knowledge opens up and illuminates traditional Jewish practices and teachings in completely new ways.
Why do you speak about the life of meditation?
Meditation is more than just a mental technique; it is an integrated, multi-staged spiritual practice. Meditation provides us with a complete approach to life. It enters into everything we think, say and do and affects every aspect of our existence. Meditation transforms the way in which we walk in the world.
How is this book different from other books on Jewish meditation?
In addition to everything that I have said above, one of the unique features of this book is its focus on experience rather than theory. Its teachings are drawn from personal testimony rather than book knowledge. Its perspective on meditation and the lives of spiritual masters is based on the dynamics of inner experience rather than abstract philosophy. Anyone, from any religion or with no religion at all, can benefit from reading Living the Life of Jewish Meditation. It will help them to deepen their spiritual life and intensify their experience of the Divine.
How should I approach this book?
Look at this book as an invitation to set out on a great adventure. There is a whole new universe for you to discover—the world of your inner reality. It has its own climate and landscape and its own life forms and inhabitants. Meditation is the key that will open the door to this other, higher realm. It will take you beyond the limitations of your physical mind-set and lift you toward the wide expanses of the Ein Sof—toward that which is without beginning or end.
