Monthly Archive for December 2008
jewish meditation practices
Today a great spiritual hunger emerges as many seek comfort, support and meaning in a world that has gotten out of control. However, times of loneliness, confusion, fear, or separation come for a good reason for us to leave our habitual way of being and discover where true strength, connection and understanding are. These hard times are really a blessing, removing us from concern about the external and invites us on a journey into the heart and sense of our lives. Both Jewish and Zen practice call us to go on the trip, although in different ways.
In a sense, Judaism and Zen represent two opposite ends of a continuum: Zen is based on the radical freedom, letting go, being present and detachment. Judaism is rooted in family relationships, love, praying to a Higher Power and the requirement to celebrate and remember. A Jewish heart is warm, which in humans, devoted to family and friends. A Zen eye is fresh, direct, spontaneous, unencumbered by ideas, beliefs, hopes or expectations. These two practices are like two wings of a bird, both are needed to fly.
Each tradition refers to the primary question that direct our lives and offers clues to find answers. In Zen practice, you take the time to remove yourself family and friends, do zazen, journey within and awaken for the good of all. Jewish practice is done in the midst of the community. Relationships are central. It is said that God is on the kitchen table with family, friends and food. In the Jewish prayer of going to God and ask for everything. This way you always know the source because of its good supply and constantly.
In Zen practice you do not seek help at all. Do zazen, meditation (Zen), sit, back straight, legs crossed, eyes down, facing the wall. You do not talk, reach, touch or hear the problems of others. You do not offer consolation or turn to others for support. In fact, what was thought at the support is removed. If others have problems on the cushion, experiencing sadness or pain, not interfering. Their experience is precious and are now being given the opportunity to face in its entirety. The support offered is quiet and deep seated firmly beside them in front of his own experience as well.
The need combining Zen and Jewish practice always considered important to me. I was born in an orthodox family where everyone had a different opinion on what God wanted from us. And I had a lot of questions: what was the true path, and why people who were serving God with all your heart has problems living in the same house? Today, many who also feel displaced. They want to refer to their original religion that feels so healing and consistent for them. It's easy to lose sight of the true purpose of any practice. Even with the best intentions, anger, criticism and domination can easily replace the kindness, generosity and wisdom that are at the heart of all teaching.
The practice of meditation zazen (Zen) creates an atmosphere of acceptance, respect, kindness clarity of light their original teachings, and provides a deeper experience of them. And their religion of origin may be the basis in the reality of who you are. Thus, the practice of Zen and Judaism provides balance and richness each practice enriches, illuminates and challenges the other.
About the Author:
Discover how Jewish and Zen practice heals your life and provides keys to the personal struggles you face each day, in Jewish Dharma(Guide to the Practice of Judaism and Zen)
www.jewishdharma.com
Dr Shoshanna is an award winning author, speaker and psychologist.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Two Wings of a Bird: The Practice of Judaism and Zen
Jewish Meditation Mysticism & Kabbalah Class 1
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Singing Meditation: Let Joy Fill Your Heart $14.99 Singing Meditation is an interfaith spiritual practice that melds the power of song with the stillness of silence in order to create an ephemeral songbridge to the Divine. Singing Meditation draws songs from Sufi, Christian, Jewish, earth-centered, non-traditional and other spiritual paths. This enchanting CD contains a sampler of rounds, chants and songs in harmony. Track listing includes: 1) Co… |
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A Jewish Woman’s Prayer Book $21.75 A beautiful and moving one-of-a-kind collection that draws from a variety of Jewish traditions, through the ages, to commemorate every occasion and every passage in the cycle of life, including:Special prayers for the Sabbath, holidays, and important dates of the Jewish yearPrayers to mark celebratory milestones, such as bat mitzva, marriage, pregnancy, and childbirthPrayers for companionship, lov… |
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Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary; Travel-size $19.37 JPS is pleased to make available a new, more compact edition of the landmark publication, Etz Hayim: A Torah Commentary. Etz Hayim, a publication of the Conservative movement, was produced through a joint venture of the Rabbinical Assembly, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and The Jewish Publication Society. This new, smaller edition is a convenient alternative to the standard hard… |
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Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary $58.00 Leatherbound edition of this classic Torah commentary…. |
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Jewish Meditation Practices for Everyday Life $12.27 Jewish Meditation Practices for Everyday Life |
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The Handbook Of Jewish Meditation Practices $9.01 Buy and sell [The Handbook Of Jewish Meditation Practices] at great prices. |
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Meditation and Judaism: Exploring the Jewish Meditative Paths $47.82 Meditation and Judaism is a comprehensive work on Jewish meditation, encompassing the entire spectrum of Jewish thought_from the early Kabbalists to the modern Chassidic and Mussar masters, the sages of the Talmud, to the modern philosophers. Both a scholarly, in-depth study of meditative practices, and a practical, easy to follow guide, Meditation and Judaism is for anyone interested in meditating the Jewish way. |
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Jewish Meditation $7.75 Buy and sell [Jewish Meditation] at great prices. |
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The Meditation Bible $9.75 With more that 140 techniques and practices drawn from Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Sufi, Taoist, Pagan, Jewish, Native American, and mystical traditions, this is the ultimate guide to meditation. |
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Meditation $51 Meditation. Buddhist meditation, Christian meditation, Jain meditation, Jewish meditation, New Age, Nm Jap, Taoism, Asana, Health applications and clinical studies of meditation, Meditation in popular fiction |
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Discovering Jewish Meditation: A Beginner’s Guide to an Ancient Spiritual Practice $11.98 Helps readers of any level of understanding learn the ancient practice of Jewish meditation on their own.– Answers commonly-asked questions about Jewish meditation, and how it differs from other meditative practices.– Shows beginners how to start their practice, and gives step-by-step instructions. |
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Meditation And Its Practices $94.95 Buy and sell [Meditation And Its Practices] at great prices. |
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Discovering Jewish Meditation $9.01 Buy and sell [Discovering Jewish Meditation] at great prices. |
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Jewish Meditation $8.45 Kaplan shows that meditation is consistent with traditional Jewish thought and practice. The book presents a variety of meditative techniques to help make the reader a better person, and develop a closer relationship to God. |
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Meditation $11.05 Beginning meditator can learn more than 50 meditation styles–from eastern to western practices. Special self-test helps determine types of meditations most appropriate for individuals. |
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Prohibition of Usury: Islamic and Jewish Practices $15.9 Prohibition of Usury: Islamic and Jewish Practices |
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The Woman’s Kabbalah: Ecstatic Jewish Practices for Women $14.1 Kabbalah. The word itself is feminine, meaning receiving, yet women have long been excluded from the pursuit of this Jewish mystical tradition. On The Woman’’s Kabbalah, Rabbi Tirzah Firestone opens a treasury of meditations and practices especially for women interested in this path to inner knowing. Through chant, meditation, and journaling, you will learn how to spark, explore, and express your spiritual self according to the Kabbalah’’s once-guarded instructions. Included are specific techniques for contacting and creating a relationship with your maggid (personal spirit guide), connecting with your soul-family, and integrating the Tree of Life into your body and soul. |
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The Popularity of Meditation & Spiritual Practices: Seeking Inner Peace $21.98 The Popularity of Meditation & Spiritual Practices: Seeking Inner Peace |
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The Book Of Jewish Sacred Practices $10.33 Buy and sell [The Book Of Jewish Sacred Practices] at great prices. |
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The Rituals And Practices Of A Jewish Life $9.5 Buy and sell [The Rituals And Practices Of A Jewish Life] at great prices. |
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Jewish Spiritual Practices $56.47 The Jewish mystic path and its practices to attain God-consciousness. |
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Meditation & Its Practices $16.29 In this inspiring guidebook, Swami Adiswarananda outlines the subject of meditation and its practices, following the methods and teachings of these two traditions. Defining key concepts in clear terms, Swami Adiswaranada covers every aspect of this ancient spiritual practice, including: ? Goals and benefits of meditation ? Objects of meditation ? Methods of concentration ? Posture, physical condition, eating habits, and spiritual exercises ? Mystical experiences and realization ? Obstacles in meditation and ways of overcoming them |
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Mindful Jewish Living $10.4 In this popular introduction to Jewish mindfulness practice, Rabbi Jonathan P. Slater examines Jewish sources and applies their teachings to the practices of mindfulness and meditation. Drawing from Hasidic texts as well as liturgical, talmudic, and midrashic sources, the author demonstrates how Jewish teachings can make us aware of the spiritual essence of our lives. |
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The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices: Clal’s Guide to Everyday & Holiday Rituals & Blessings $12.36 Drawing from decades of experience in connecting spirituality with daily life, offers traditional and contemporary ways to mark all sorts of important events in people’s lives. For each of more than 100 everyday events and holidays, it offers a meditation, a blessing, a profound Jewish teaching, and a ritual. |