<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Great in 1976, still great today!
Review: This is a reprint of a book that was a bestseller in Jewish mysticism circles back in the mid-70's. It played a big role in my own spiritual developement, and remains one of the best intro kabbalah books for the analytical-minded seeker. If you only buy one of Zev Halevi's books, make it this one. He begins with an overview of kabbalah as a living tradition, using the Tree of Life diagram as a template for diagramming all aspects of life and spiritual growth. He then discusses the inner meanings of various biblical stories and Jewish themes, such as the physical and spiritual Adam, the Exodus from Egypt, Jacob and Esau, the Promised Land, the Zaddik (holy person), allegorical and metaphysical levels of meaning, kavannah (focused intention), higher and lower states of consciousness, etc. --- and how all these apply to the inner life as diagrammed on the Tree. The heart of the book, in my opinion, are the chapters on the three main approaches to the spiritual path: Action, Devotion, and Contemplation. Most beginners lean heavily toward one of the three, and it is important to determine which approach is best for you. (Halevi himself appears to be a Path of Contemplation person, judging from his intellectual style.) Eventually you must balance all three of these aspects -- Doing, Feeling, and Thinking -- within yourself, but it's important to start with a compatible teacher and/or group that relates to kabbalah from your basic approach. Halevi is rather vague about exactly how you will actually find practicing kabbalists, appparently relying on the adage that "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." This book will definitely help you prepare yourself for that encounter.
Rating:
Summary: Great in 1976, still great today!
Review: This is a reprint of a book that was a bestseller in Jewish mysticism circles back in the mid-70's. It played a big role in my own spiritual developement, and remains one of the best intro kabbalah books for the analytical-minded seeker. If you only buy one of Zev Halevi's books, make it this one. He begins with an overview of kabbalah as a living tradition, using the Tree of Life diagram as a template for diagramming all aspects of life and spiritual growth. He then discusses the inner meanings of various biblical stories and Jewish themes, such as the physical and spiritual Adam, the Exodus from Egypt, Jacob and Esau, the Promised Land, the Zaddik (holy person), allegorical and metaphysical levels of meaning, kavannah (focused intention), higher and lower states of consciousness, etc. --- and how all these apply to the inner life as diagrammed on the Tree. The heart of the book, in my opinion, are the chapters on the three main approaches to the spiritual path: Action, Devotion, and Contemplation. Most beginners lean heavily toward one of the three, and it is important to determine which approach is best for you. (Halevi himself appears to be a Path of Contemplation person, judging from his intellectual style.) Eventually you must balance all three of these aspects -- Doing, Feeling, and Thinking -- within yourself, but it's important to start with a compatible teacher and/or group that relates to kabbalah from your basic approach. Halevi is rather vague about exactly how you will actually find practicing kabbalists, appparently relying on the adage that "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." This book will definitely help you prepare yourself for that encounter.
<< 1 >>
| 
