Böcker av Perle Besserman

Jewish mystical writings from ancient times to the present are collected here under such headings as Nature, Creation, Daily Life, Good and Evil, Female Divinity, Meditation, and Ecstasy. The words of these spiritual masters—from sources such as the Zohar, the Baal Shem Tov, Martin Buber, Rabbi Nachman, of Bratzlav, Abraham Abulafia, and Aryeh Kaplan—offer a lively introduction to their joyful world.

Jewish mystics from biblical times to the present have explored the hidden secrets of the Torah in quest of a single goal: to lose the self in the Infinite "No-thingness" (Ein Sof) and be at one with God. In language accessible to the layperson, this Shambhala Guide provides a detailed introduction to the complex world of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. With an extensive background in meditation practice, Perle Besserman emphasizes Kabbalah''s spiritual disciplines, grounded in righteous living, devotional practices, and meditation. She discusses the Kabbalistic universe, including the four worlds and ten sefirot; Jewish meditation techniques and instructions for beginning meditation; mystics and teachers from Rabbi Akiva and the Baal Shem Tov to Aryeh Kaplan; the often uneasy relationship between Kabbalah and mainstream Judaism; and incorporating the ancient wisdom of Jewish mysticism to life in the world of today.

Unraveling the web of ancient traditions hidden in such texts as the Sefer Yetzirah and the Zohar, this book traces history and offers an accessible introduction to understanding Kabbalah and its practices.Jewish mysticism has flourished-sometimes brilliantly, sometimes darkly-over five thousand years. This pioneering, popular text on Jewish mysticism was the first written for a general audience, and in it, Perle Besserman offers a lively and accessible introduction to the methods, schools, and practitioners of this intriguing world. She traces the history of Kabbalah through the lives of its illustrious scholars and saints and unravels the web of ancient traditions hidden in such texts as Sefer Yetzirah and the Zohar. Running through these pages are the words of the outstanding Kabbalists and mystics-including Simeon bar Yohai, Isaac Luria, Abraham Abulafia, and the Baal Shem Tov-giving instructions on practices ranging from contemplation of the Bible's secret teachings to ritual, ecstatic prayer, and intensive meditation.

Besserman¿s haunting novel of a modern day Kabbalah encounter is a cautionary tale about the spiritual/religious world as it exists today.

Rooted in a spiritual partnership model based on "power-sharing,” Grassroots Zen emphasizes gender equality and is oriented to social engagement.