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Title: Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide
ISBN: 0805210377
Author:
Aryeh Kaplan
Publicate Date: 1995-03-14
Publish: 1995-03-14
List Price: $12.95
Average Customer Rating: 5.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $6.68
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $5.50
Amazon Merchant Price: $10.36
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Explains the point of meditation so clearly
The first 2 chapters of this book (What is Meditation? and Why Meditate?) offer the most lucid explanation of the basic point of meditation I have ever seen.
For those who have a contemplative practice in any tradition, it is sometimes a struggle to explain or get across to non-practitioners just what it is you are doing (or trying to do) in your practice.
These first 11 pages are a simple, factual description. A breath of fresh air, and without imperative. Not a sales job. Simply an explanation. A useful tool if your family or friends don't get it yet.
The other 150 pages describe a variety of specific meditation techniques that are, each one, a treasure. Savor it slowly, and don't rush through. And especially, don't ignore the author's warning to attempt certain techniques only with a teacher. These techniques were developed in deep community and connection, and are still best used that way.
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2: Profound overview of meditation techniques
This book describes the essence of most of the meditation techniques I've come across while trying out meditation. The techniques are described in a jewish context, but the insightful and profound truths are valid for meditation in general. I particularly enjoyed the chapter "Nothingness", which shed new light on a Rudolf Steiner meditation I have practised.
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3: Fabulous Book!
Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide by Aryeh Kaplan is the best book I have read so far on this topic. It is extremely interesting, inspiring, and easy to understand and has a wealth of information. I liked the fact that the author warns his readers about certain methods of meditation that are not for beginners while at the same time gives clarity about the various types of meditations that are safe with guidelines how to practice them. There are also a lot of extremely interesting facts about Judaism that I was happy to learn. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in meditation from a Jewish perspective and gaining some basic knowledge about Kabbalah.
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4: Not just for Jewish practitioners
Even though this book focuses on Jewish meditation and the Quabalah, the book can be read and used by anyone, either practically by following the exercises or simply to enrich their knowledge of meditation intellectually.
Some readers may avoid the book thinking that it would only be worthwhile to a follower of a Jewish tradition, a pity, since the book has much to offer everyone interested in meditating.
For those interested in a more in-depth treatment of Jewish Meditation and the Quabalah Aryeh Kaplan's other book 'Meditation and Kabbalah' goes into further detail.
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5: Definitive Book on Jewish Meditation
Aryeh Kaplan was a rare individual. A Jewish scholar taken from us too early. If you get the chance take a look at his biography. This is one of his better books and the best book on Jewish meditation. Nothing comes close. Oddly enough, it is also a book that I think would have great appeal to anyone who is not Jewish or perhaps not even that relegious. This book has a lot of pleasant surprises. Enjoy and learn.
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