Jewish Meditation

from JoeUser Forums
Good Morning Everyone,
 
This morning I want to talk about Jewish Meditation. I see meditation as the core practice of a spiritual life. We say there are three pillars to Judaism: study, prayer, and acts of lovingkindness.  Yet, for each of these to be done properly our hearts and minds must be open and we must do them with kavanah (a concentrated intent).   I like to think of kavanah as mindfulness.
 
What is "Jewish meditation"?  The simple answer is meditation done by Jews. The more complex answer has to do with Judaism itself as a practice that forms a unique relationship between man and the Infinite. We meditate as Jews to become closer to God, if not to awaken to the non-dual nature of our nature.  That is, to awaken to the fact that God resides within us.
 
We also meditate to create a steady openness to our senses.  We clear the filters of our consciousness, so to speak, so that when we study Torah, for example, we are able to become one with the teaching.  Just so, in  doing acts of lovingkindness (gemilut hasadim), it "is a mitzvah that an individual completes gemilut hasadim without the anticipation of receiving something in return" (Jewish Virtual Library).
 
Meditation itself is form of prayer, but also a preparation for prayer.  Rabbi Shneur Zalmon of Liady says that prayer is the foundation of Torah and that we should recognize His (God's) Greatness and His Glory "with a serene mind, and through contemplation, to have these fixed firmly in the mind." (quoted in Principles of Jewish Spirituality by Sara Isaacson) 
 
So Jewish meditation is about the practice of both opening and receiving.  We should be like an open vessel, open on both ends, that is, so that we are able to actualize without selfish impediment.
 
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan outlines several meditative practices in his book, "Jewish Meditation, A Practical Guide".  These include seated meditation, standing meditation, mantra meditation, contemplation, visualization,  meditating on Nothingness, and even following the Commandments and ritual practices of the faith.  My sense of all of this is that Jewish meditation is all about opening oneself to the Holy by shifting our attention in some way, focusing that attention, and concentrating to the point that self drops away and God is allowed to enter.
 
We practice the practice of concentrating on Nothing at Temple Beth El.  It is a close version of what the Soto Zen sect calls "shikantaza" or ":just sitting".  We light a candle, invite a bell to ring, and focus our attention on being present through our breath.
 
My aim over the next several days is to discuss Rabbi Kaplan's various methods of meditation he outlines in his book.  I hope you will either join me at Temple or establish a home practice of your own.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me either personally or through this list.
 
Be well.   
religion
2,039 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello All, If anyone has some thoughts on how to apply meditation to other faith traditions, I would love to hear them!

 Be well.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi Sodaiho, Jewish meditation is much in a sense like that practise by the Christian faith, at least of what I know of.  We do it to bring ourselves closer to God, to cleanse body, spirit, mind, in (or out of) reverence, as a supplication, i.e., wanting, and chanting.  For myself at least I can say those are the similarities.

I'm very much interested in hearing more!  Truthfully, I haven't done any lately.  It would be interesting to practice with the bell and chanting and all that. ;)

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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Rabbi Shneur Zalmon of Liady says that prayer is the foundation of Torah and that we should recognize His (God's) Greatness and His Glory "with a serene mind, and through contemplation, to have these fixed firmly in the mind."
End of quote

I suupose that by "Torah" he meant Judaism. Also notice that he said it is "the foundation of" and not the totality of it.

having said that .... it is amazingly identical (literally identical) to what Islam says about it too.

In Islam, regardless of how meditation is practiced, especially through prayer, it must lead to the action of following the commandments of the faith as outlined in its "Book" be it Torah, Ingeel, or Qura'n otherwise it dosnt amount to anything at all in the sight of God.

I wonder if you understand it along the same line of thinking or as per your statement above "to awaken to the fact that God resides within us."?

Is that the goal? just to recognize that fact? no other action required?

 

 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Is that the goal? just to recognize that fact? no other action required?
End of quote

 

There is a koan used in Zen study.  You struggle to climb to the top of a hundred foot pole.  Arriving at the top you sit down.  So, without hesitation, disciple, what's your next step?!

 

We are required to enact our realization.  In Judaism we have tikkun olam, an obligation to act as God's partner in repairing the world.  In Judaism we do this through mitzvot, following righteous action by keeping the commandments.  To simplify, from a Zen Buddhist POV, we are to cease doing evil, do good, and create abundant good for all sentient beings.

 

So, no, TA, its not just about realization.  Realization is an active and dynamic process.

Be well.

 

 

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

its not just about realization. Realization is an active and dynamic process.
End of quote

We are in agreement then. We all should stress this point more. it is not just meditation and pondering ... it must lead to righteous actions ...