Jewish Meditation- Part of Jewish Tradition
Rabbi Brill discusses the history of Jewish meditation and the major role it played in pre-modern Judaism.
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Maimonides and Meditation
The first text, from Guide to the Perplexed is introduced. Rabbi Brill discusses the need to create a language for meditation.
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Prayer Requires Intention
The class reads and discusses the first text-- specifically the concepts of meditative worship and the importance of intention in prayer.
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The Role of Liturgy
A participant in the class asks a question about the role of liturgy in meditative worship.
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Practicing the Shema
By continuing in the text, Rabbi Brill discusses the lengthy process of learning to still the mind.
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Separating from Worldly Matters
More of the text is read, and the process of focusing on G-d is further discussed.
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Philosophers vs. Kabbalists
The Kabbalistic approach to meditation is introduced and contrasted with the philosophical approach.
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Isaac the Blind
A brief history of the evolution of Kabbalah in medieval Spain prefaces the next reading.
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The Divine Name
The Kabbalistic practice of visualizing the divine name, the Kabbalistic theology of the divine name, and the notion of levels of divinity are discussed.
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Kabbalistic Meditation
The process of meditation is broken down further into different stages- starting with Dvekut and moving into a full contemplation of the divine.
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The Role of Community in Solitary Practice
Do you need other people to meditate? Rabbi Brill explains the way Kabbalistic Yeshivot function to bring people together, and allow them to then go off on their own.
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Nothing
Think about nothing. This is the challenge presented to the class as participants begin to learn to train the mind.
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Sitting Comfortably
The first step in meditation is learning to sit comfortably and relax your body.
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Breathing
In the absence of a formal Jewish breathing technique, Rabbi Brill teaches a yoga breath to help the class learn to breathe rhythmically.
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Filling the Screen
In order to contemplate the divine, one must see the divine name in one's mind. Rabbi Brill helps the class do this.
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Ascending Through Colors
There are different levels one ascends through as one meditates- each layer distinguished by a different color. These levels are explained and discussed.
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Putting it Together
Rabbi Brill leads the class through a full meditation exercise using all the elements they have worked on (sitting, breathing, visualizing and ascending).
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