A Course in Miracles is a three-volume set of books that was received through inner dictation by a psychologist in 1965. It is aimed at fostering wisdom and addresses life's major existential challenges, such as meaninglessness, illness, suffering, aloneness, and death.
Its unconventional thought system, which includes a pure non-dualistic metaphysics, distinguishes it from the world's great spiritual a course in miracles traditions.
What is kabbalah?
In a nutshell, Kabbalah is Jewish mysticism. It's an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought that seeks to teach the Torah’s inner, mystical dimension. It's important to note that, while certain celebrities may partake in a pop-culture version of kabbalah, it is very different from the actual esoteric practice. The real thing is incredibly advanced, and can only be learned once one has studied the foundational Jewish texts including the Torah and Talmud.
Unlike most religions, the God of Kabbalah is not seen as human-like. Instead, He is seen as an unknowable boundless force that needs our collective devotion and faith to become whole once again. Similarly, the physical universe is seen as a reflection of the divine light that created it. Kabbalistic teachings describe ten divine emanations known as Sephirot, and it is the study of these spheres that defines kabbalah.
As with many mystical/ esoteric traditions, some aspects of the practice can be described as magic. The Talmud for example, recounts the stories of rabbis who performed supernatural acts such as creating an artificial man out of clay (a golem) and bringing it to life by reciting a few names of G-d. But, the purpose of investigative kabbalah is not to promote magic, it is to understand how the laws of the physical world can be utilized for spiritual purposes.
The Course in Miracles is a remarkable spiritual text that seems to claim to be the most comprehensive and effective discipline for awakening on earth. It is intellectually sophisticated, and blends spiritual inspiration with profound understanding of such concepts as belief systems and defense mechanisms. Its practices are far from minimalist, and are designed to offer a very thorough transformation of the mind and soul.
But, what is it exactly that makes the Course so successful? It is carefully engineered to indoctrinate its students in Eastern metaphysics and human potential psychicism, while simultaneously insulating them against biblical revelation and true Christianity. Its language is poetic, and its teachings are often mystical. It's a masterful strategy, and it works. Thousands of people have reported miraculous changes in their lives as a result of studying the Course in Miracles.
How can I practice kabbalah?
Jewish mysticism can be difficult to grasp. It is a complex subject, and no one can claim to have mastery over it. A Chassidic master once compared the study of Kabbalah to traveling to Paris without a map or a city guide: you could spend all your life studying books and walking around the streets, but you will never truly know the place until you visit it yourself. This is true of all mystical texts: there are so many layers and depths, and they require such a high degree of understanding to fully comprehend and incorporate into one’s daily life that they must be studied over a lifetime.
While kabbalah is often associated with a particular mystical school, kabbalistic practice can be found in a wide variety of traditions. Kabbalists aim for a direct, intuitive, unmediated encounter with a close but concealed deity. This requires a life of spiritual discipline and a deep commitment to God.
Despite the fact that Jewish mysticism is not for everyone, there are many ways to introduce it into your life and benefit from it. Rabbi Benjamin Shalva is a rabbi, author, yoga instructor, meditation teacher and musician who explores Jewish mysticism in his Experiential Kabbalah classes at the Soul Center. In this interview he discusses how to get started with kabbalah and how it can benefit your life.
I think that Kabbalah can be a great antidote to the blind ambition that permeates so much of modern culture. It’s easy to get caught up in the rat race and forget that the goal of life is not to just be productive but to be happy. Kabbalah offers an alternative approach to life and a different way of thinking about the universe and God.
While kabbalah has been viewed as a secret for centuries, it is experiencing a major revival with Jews and non-Jews alike. It is a fascinating and challenging text that can change the way you perceive and experience the world. It can open your eyes to the possibility that the world is not just a series of tasks and goals to be achieved but an ecstatic dance to be experienced.
What is the purpose of kabbalah?
Kabbalah is the mystical tradition of Judaism. It is a form of Jewish mysticism that focuses on the esoteric meanings behind the teachings of the Torah, and aims to bring its insights into one's everyday life. It is a system of study that teaches the essential Jewish cosmology and gives its student an in-depth understanding of G-d's interaction with creation. It is also a spiritual wisdom that aims to transform the individual's character through mystical knowledge of soul evolution.
Kabbalists believe that God created a finite reality that He infused with His infinite presence and energy. These divine energies are characterized as the 10 sephirot, and each has its own unique meaning. Each sephira is a channel through which the divine energy flows into our universe. The purpose of kabbalah is to help us connect to this divine energy and create miracles in our lives by bringing the light of the Creator into this world.
Throughout history, there have been different styles of kabbalah. The most common is the theoretical kabbalah, which uses the Zohar and other sources to explain the hidden meanings of scripture. It is a method of interpretation that aims to unlock the secrets of the Bible by using numerology and other methods. Many rabbis have warned against this style of kabbalah, as it can lead to superstition and deception.
Another type of kabbalah is the experiential kabbalah, which is focused on spiritually disciplined living and a personal quest for mystical experience. Mystics in this category strive for a direct, unmediated encounter with a close but concealed Deity. They often live as celibates, although the laws of Judaism prohibit formal monasticism. They are expected to marry, raise a family, and fulfill all customary religious obligations.
A third type of kabbalah is the meditative kabbalah, which is a practice that combines mystical study with a personal meditation technique. The goal of meditative kabbalah is to achieve a higher meditative state that allows the mind to connect with the soul. It is a very complex and difficult discipline, and many people have given up on it for good.
How can I create miracles?
The practice of kabbalah involves using the spiritual forces within one's own body to create miracles. This can be done for a number of reasons, including wanting to heal someone, want to manifest something in the world, or simply to help improve one's life. The process of creating miracles requires a lot of concentration and patience, but it is well worth the effort in the end.
Some people may be skeptical of the notion of miracles, but even those with a naturalist perspective must admit that there are many things in this world that defy the laws of probability. For example, if you sit a monkey at the piano and have it randomly slam at the keys, there is an extremely slim chance that it will play a Beethoven sonata. But that does not mean that the monkey is performing a miracle, because it does not change the laws of nature in any way.
It is not possible to create miracles for no particular reason, such as a wish to be healthy. In order to perform a miracle, it must serve a greater purpose. This can be accomplished by using kabbalistic techniques to enter into the World of Yezirah and then higher into Beriah where a miracle can be created. In order to do this, the kabbalistic practitioner must have the correct Kavvanah or consciousness behind his action.
Another way to think about miracles is to look at them as a type of theophanies or divine manifestations. These can take many forms, from giving laws (e.g. Moses' theophany at Mount Sinai) to saving lives (e.g. the divine interventions of the ancient lawgivers at Numa Pompilius of Rome, Minos of Crete and Lycurgus of Sparta). Some examples may also include the appearance of gods to their devotees in visions and dreams.
While these theophanies do not fit into the general definition of miracles, they are nonetheless wondrous. In other words, they fill us with admirable wonder for a reason that is not readily apparent. However, it should be noted that these miracles are generally not the type of miraculous events referred to by Avraham.