Meditation from the Heart of Judaism: Today's Masters Teach about Their Practice, Discipline and Faith [Hardcover]

Avram Davis (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

Techniques explained by the masters-for spiritual seekers of all backgrounds.This inspiring yet practical introduction to Jewish meditation approaches it in a new way: As a living experience described by today's most experienced Jewish meditators from around the world.In their own individual voices, more than 18 masters of meditation-teachers, scholars, psychologists, rabbis-explain why they meditate, how they meditate, and how the meditative experience brings them closer to themselves, to God, to the universe. Equally important are their confessions about obstacles to meditation in their daily life-and how they can be overcome.Through a detailed compendium of the experts' "Best Practices," Davis offers readers practical advice, starting points, and direction for making meditation a source of spiritual energy in their own lives.Meditation has been practiced for centuries in the Jewish community, as a powerful tool to transcend words, personality, and ego and directly experience the divine. Meditation is not, as many assume, the sole province of eastern faiths, but also a Jewish spiritual resource for today that can benefit all people.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Davis (The Way of the Flame, HarperCollins, 1996) has compiled 22 essays on meditation by Jewish leaders, teachers, and writers such as Lawrence Kushner, Rami Shapiro, Nan Fink, Edward Hoffman, and others. These thinkers discuss issues of interest to the Jewish lay reader: traditional background, meditative approaches and techniques, obstacles to practice, and the importance of attitude. Davis summarizes the basics in the final chapter, noting that because it did not spring from a monastic tradition, the essence of Jewish meditation lies largely in a concern with everyday life. A worthwhile addition to the growing number of books on Jewish spirituality.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

After years of being virtually ignored, the practice of Jewish meditation is now coming into its own. This collection of anecdotes and advice from 22 Jewish meditators (including Lawrence Kushner and Lynn Gottlieb on women and the Kabbalah) covers the whys and hows of meditation, and equally important, the contributors are honest about the obstacles to meditation, mostly boredom. Editor Davis' commonsensical piece (which would have made a good introduction rather than appearing in the middle of the book) is especially good for those just delving into the topic. Naturally, with so many scholars and rabbis having their say, some of the information included here seems contradictory; on the other hand, there is something for everyone interested in the discipline and plenty of suggestions for people who wish to begin. Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing; 1st edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 187904577X
• ISBN-13: 978-1879045774
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,679,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a real tool for Jewish Meditation!, September 8, 2000

By 

Nathan Ohren (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meditation from the Heart of Judaism: Today's Teachers Share Their Practices, Techniques, and Faith (Paperback)

Suited both for students of Kabbalah, or those who are merely getting their feet wet in Jewish mysticism, this book is great! Once I discovered that there was such a thing as Jewish Meditation, I delved avidly, and checked out many a library book on the subject. Most were hard to understand, speaking of worlds-beyond-worlds that left me confused. A few were simpler and more interesting, but none gave the practical advice of HOW-TO. This is the first book that truly helps one find their own beginning to a path of Jewish meditation. Where other books provide similar anecdotes of Jewish wisdom to ponder, this one actually compliments those with helpful tips to begin, or to deepen, your personal meditation practice. Very similar to works such as "God is a Verb," and "The Way of the Flame," this book is written in a pleasing, light style... not only for the academics!