Kabbalah and Consciousness is a wonderful book sharing the beauty of Kabbalah in poetic form. That doesn’t mean it is a book of poems – though the author’s poem “Desire for White” is published in it. Rather, the way in which the author shares with us the mysticism behind Kabbalah is done through a poetic approach.
If you’re looking for a book which gives an overall insight into the beauty of Jewish mysticism, then this is a book for you. The author takes us through ideas such as consciousness and of course, going beyond the conscious self. This is naturally the idea behind Kabbalah. We need to focus more on what lies behind the conscious mind in order to penetrate the part of our souls that is not so easily visible.
The author points out how we need to understand the concept of unity and how this affects us on a daily basis. He teaches us about the theme of truth – a vital ingredient to anyone pursuing a path of Torah that requires one to be focused on the most important aspects of life. We are introduced to the concept of reincarnation in just a few pages – yet we come away with an overview of life that makes us aware that there is far more to each of us than meets the eye.
A chapter devoted to “The Tzaddik’s Mind” opens up a world into understanding what makes thinking like the Tzaddik so different from the way most of us will think on a day to day basis. Here, the author shares with us the concept of being focused on the six constant mitzvos which we are bound to follow all the time, and how we must make for ourselves a place known as Divine Space (see video with Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg below) wherever we are.
In a beautiful chapter, the author shares with us the concept of “union.” This is indeed what the highest levels of studying Kabbalah are all about – being able to unite with the Divine in ecstasy. How do we connect with God? How do we connect with a Being that is even beyond the spiritual? What must we do to prepare ourselves to unite with God? This is a remarkable chapter that gives us a sense of warmth and a feeling that those who pursue this goal in honesty and sincerity have nothing to fear, but rather only good things to look forward to. Ultimately, “union” will be something that is subjective. It is impossible for anyone to put into writing what the experience actually is. It is for each of us to investigate and pursue on our own. The experience will be well worth it but it must be pursued with the right goals in mind.
In the final chapter, the author shares the beauty of the Land of Israel with us and shows us why it is so much a part of the Jewish soul and how we are all attached to this land in some way – with all its ups and downs. Here is a land so different from all others, and yet it is the place that the Jewish soul belongs.
This is a rare and beautiful book. I hope you’ll get a chance to read it and re-read it, giving you the opportunity to see another side of the world of Jewish mysticism and to even become a part of it!
