Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide

Students of mediation are usually surprised to discover that a Jewish mediation tradition exists and that it was an authentic and integral part of mainstream Judaism until the eighteenth century.
 
Jewish Meditation is a step-by-step introduction to meditation and the Jewish practice of meditation in particular. This practical guide covers such topics as mantra meditation, contemplation, and visualization within a Jewish context. It shows us how to use meditative techniques to enhance prayer using the traditional liturgy—the Amidah and the Shema. Through simple exercises and clear explanations of theory, Rabbi Kaplan gives us the tools to develop our spiritual potential through an authentically Jewish meditative practice.

Covers such topics as mantra meditation, contemplation, and visualization within a Jewish context.

This book presents the most basic forms of meditation, especially as discussed in the mainstream sources. It is a guide to Jewish meditation written in non-technical terms for the layperson. It begins with a description of meditation in general, then focuses in on specifically Jewish meditation and finally explores the various components of meditation.

Library Journal

Kaplan, Orthodox rabbi and author of Meditation and the Bible (Weiser, 1978) and Meditation and Kabbalah (Weiser, 1981), shows that meditation is consistent with traditional Jewish thought and practice. He then presents a guide to a variety of meditative techniques: mantra meditation (with suggested phrases and Bible verses to use as mantras); contemplation; visualization; experiencing nothingness (which he does not recommend for beginners); conversing with God; and prayer. His instructions are clear and explicit, and his advice is informed and sound, advocating that a simple 20-minute-a-day program can indeed help make the practitioner a better person and a better Jew, and develop a closer relationship to God and things spiritual. Recommended for general collections. Marcia G. Fuchs, Guilford Free Lib., Ct.

Aryeh Kaplan, who died in 1983, was a well-known Orthodox rabbi and teacher of Jewish meditation. He is the author of many books, including a translation of the Torah commentary, Me'am Lo'ez.