Types of meditation introduced in this course:
1. Introduction - Relaxation of body and mind.
2. Mindfulness - Learning to be aware non-judgmentally and dispassionately of body, feelings, thoughts, and environment. See the work of Dr. Jon Kabbat-Zinn
3. Dis-identification/ Identification - Learning to not identify with the body, feelings and thoughts and identifying with the inner "I." See the work of Dr. Roberto Assagioli.
4. Identification - Learning to discover the inner "I" and, therefore, Will, through Tai Chi and meditative movements (shuckuling).
5. Guided visualization - Learning to see one's self in a more objective way through visualizing one's self from above and in the context of the universe. See the work of R. Menachem Ekstein
6. Guided visualization - Learning to develop and expand the imagination and, therefore, emotions through visualizing new experiences. See the work of R. Menachem Ekstein.
7. The art of amazement - Learning to fully experience emotions while listening to music or eating an orange. See the work of R. Alexander Seinfeld.
8. Mussar exercise - Learning to chant and be emotionally impacted by a pasuk or saying from Chazal. See the work of R. Tzvi Miller and Alan Morinis.
9. Hisbodenus/Contemplation - Learning to think in learning (especially gemara) in a mediative state. See Alter of Kelm and the writings of Chabad.
10. Hisbodedus/Personal prayer - Learning to talk to G-d in your own words in a natural setting. Includes singing (kumsitz). See R. Avraham b. ha'Rambam (Hamaspik l'ovdei Hashem) and Rebbe Nachman.
11. Tefillah/Communal prayer - Learning to prayer the formalized prayers with consciousness of one's self in the presence of G-d, slowly with contemplation on words, visualizations, meditative head and body movements and song.
Recommended Resources
Apatow, Avraham Chaim
Bergman, R. Ozer
-Where Earth Meets Heaven: A Guide to Rebbe Nachman's Path of Meditation
Brody, R. Lazer
-In Forest Fields: A Guide to Personal Prayer
Ekstein, R. Menachem
-Visions of a Compassionate World (translation)
Ginsburgh, R. Yitzchak
-Living in Divine Space: Kabbalah and meditation.
Kaplan, R. Aryeh
-Jewish Meditation,
-Meditation and Kabbalah
-Meditation and the Bible
-Outpouring of the Soul: Rebbe Nachman's Path in Meditation
Locks,Gil
-Taming the Raging Mind
Millhauser, Miriam
-Inner Torah: Where Consciousness and Kedusha Meet
-Practical Inner Torah: A Guide to Going Within
- The Breath and Body of Inner Torah
Seinfeld, R. Alexander
-The Art of Amazement
Sutton, R. Avraham
-Reawakening Spiritual Awareness
Svirsky, R. Efim
-Connection :Emotional and Spiritual Growth Through Experiences God's Presence