Kabbalistic Pathways for Growth and Healing
Sheldon Z. Kramer
Routledge eBooks August 27, 2015 DOI: 10.4324/9781315716046-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that Kabbalistic teachings and methods, integrated with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, can heal psychological discord and spiritual deprivation. The chapter contends that early Kabbalah, particularly the writings of Rabbi Abraham Abulafia, contains breathing techniques dating to the 13th century that refine attention and concentration, termed "Kavanah" (intention), and draws parallels to mantra practices in Hinduism and Buddhism. |
Abstract
This chapter establishes Kabbalistic concepts and methods and demonstrates how these teachings are used to heal psychological discord and spiritual deprivation. The mystical dimension can be integrated into everyday life when one follows an inner and outer discipline reflecting these teachings. The chapter explains combining mindfulness-based cognitive therapy which helps to decrease anxiety and depression, body sensations, and feelings that one experiences, but, also the inclusion of identifying negative thoughts and then challenging those thoughts and patterns with more rational thinking patterns that would decrease one&s;s reactivity. There is clear evidence in the early writings of Kabbalah that there were breathing techniques that dated back to the 13th century, especially by the renowned Rabbi Abraham Abulafia. Many of the breathing meditation techniques involve refining of one&s;s attention and concentration, called Kavanah which in Hebrew means intention. In other forms of meditation, in both Hinduism and Buddhism, there would be the focus of different names of G-d, or mantras.