I think I want to learn Kabbalah.. do you?

[Why Syzygy]

When I got into Tarot some years ago, this was introduced. Some readers use some method along the lines. I wasn't interested at that time. I had enough to do to learn Tarot. But I've been doing some reading about mystical Christianity (I'm Pagan though . after many years trying to believe the Christian stuff . can't do it). It has sparked my interest in Kabbalah. Any great links? I'll google, but would love to hear from those of you who know this, and what is it really like?

[Proud_Lefty]

1. I'm currently reading a great book introducing Kabbalah

It's called Lifting the Veil: Practical Kabbalah with Kundalini Yoga: the Expanded and Revised Work
by Joseph Micheal (Gurunam) Levry. It's straightforward and has great insights.

[I Have A Dream]

8. It sounds really interesting. Is it easy to read, PL? n/t

[Proud_Lefty]

9. Definitely it's an easy read

It covers everything, including yoga and meditation chants for different times of the year. One of the things I liked most about it is how it helps you understand your challenging days when you should lay low and your gifted days when you should excel in taking advantages of opportunities. It discusses astrology, numerology, planets, everything. Of course, some of it might be just a summary for many here.

[mother earth]

2. I purchased a set of CDs that helped me understand this. It was

great listening to this while in the car & could usually listen to one on the way to work. It was a great way to learn. I'll have to get them from DH, he took "ownership" & listened to them in his car. I was quite amazed at how he too was suddenly interested & we both are believers. You can get deeper and deeper into the study of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). I have always believed in reincarnation & you'd be amazed at how much intention is also a part of Kabbalah.

I think it fits perfectly with what we know about The Secret as well. The CDs are great because you can listen to them on the go & learn quickly. I have since purchased many books. I believe the CDs were done by Michael Berg. I'll have to rescue them from DH & start listening to them again.
Being proactive instead of reactive is the key they stress. :)

[Why Syzygy]

3. This is what I'm wondering

... what exactly is the purpose to this study? I do believe we have been deprived of the ancient teachings. And it is killing us. There is a secret, and it is not just having jewelry. Would Kabbahlah be a path to understanding, in your opinion?

[mother earth]

11. I think so. It's my opinion you just might find what you are looking

for. It's really based upon spiritual growth that's the basis. There are mystical aspects to Kabbalah, which I am not that familiar with, I know a little bit, but never pursued that aspect of it. This set has a CD about meditation as well.

I think you will like it.

[mother earth]

10. The CDs are "The Power of Kabbalah", Michael Moskowitz

I highly recommend them, it's a set of 7 cds and provides a good introduction to Kabbalah. I know you can get them on B&N, probably Amazon too. (Ck the library also if you don't want to spend any money.)

[Matariki]

4. Two great books...

Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune & The Chicken Qabalah by Lon Milo Duquette

The full title of the 2nd book is: "The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford: Dilettante's Guide to What You Do and Do Not Know to Become a Qabalist" !!

I've studied the Qabalah for many, many years. Ask me anything.

[Why Syzygy]

5. What is it for?

I'm seeking peace. Is this a method?

edit: I am not looking to add more to my mystical repertoire just for sport. I have enough for now. I need something practical.

[Matariki]

6. tough questions

can you get peace through any philosophical or spiritual system? I'd think the answer is 'not per se'.

as far as practical - the qabala is VERY practical. At least the aspect of it I study, which applies to hermeticism. The qabala provides a whole structure to work within - it makes connections between things which can be used in a very practical way. It gives a very workable model of the psyche and spirit to understand things, and more importantly to make changes.

[NuttyFluffers]

7. it is a discipline that requires great maturity to find a settled mind.

there's a lot of really bad qabbalah books out there, pretty much cashing in on a fad. it is a philosophical exploration of the spiritual composition of the universe; it really wasn't intended to be a magical tool as much. in fact, better rabbis refused to teach students too young -- being attached to the world and its desires provides a fertile mind for abuse and danger, for others and the practicioner. ideally the practitioner was already old, having done the whole life, job, and family thing. they'd be in the sunset of their life, with next to no intent to impose their will on the world anymore, and decided now with what little time left to lift the veil and look at the "cogs and wheels," as it were, of existence. actually, most of the better qabbalah books are quite insistent that you don't practice any of it at all, for that is a step of hubris and mankind's understanding of incredibly complex causality is hopelessly finite for any good to come out of it. also, far too many books are too blase' about manipulation and not all of them include the proper cautions and boundaries. you might hear this a lot about this subject, but i'll say it again anyway: be careful.

i don't believe it will offer the peace you seek. it's like asking, "has awareness of the complexity of the world and it's current events brought you peace of mind?" such awareness provides you understanding, intelligence, fleshes out wisdom, draws forth great empathy, and makes keen the joys and sorrows of the world, but it rarely of itself brings a blissful peace. such is when studying this. my own dabblings ended with me putting it away and resolving that i was too young and i still needed to drink more from the cup of life (i was a teenager at the time; even now, unless the dabbling is shallow, i think it's a bit too heavy for the average person to delve into). fyi, i'd start off with general museum rules, look but don't touch; don't perform anything until you really, really know what you are doing.

[Why Syzygy]

12. Yeah, I don't think I'm up for it after all...

I was reading a site that said that God was approachable but with much fear and trembling. I sure don't need any more fear and have been pretty content with my approach to spiritual matters, and it leans towards release from fear. The last frickin thing I need is more fear.

edit: perhaps paying more attention to the law of attraction will bring more peace. Actually this week, by going through some personal issues, it seems I have arrived at a peaceful place. Thanks for the information you provided.

[cliss]

13. Interesting point.

You bring up some interesting issues. Why would God have to be approached with fear and trembling? If we are all created by God, what would be the reason for feeling fearful? I have read that in fact God is the epitome of love and understanding, and from all accounts we are drawn magnetically to this intense power, and do not wish to go back to the mundane sojourn on earth.

So I believe there is nothing to fear, in fact I find myself drawn more and more to powers that have nothing to do with friends, career, money, mundane interests, and all the things that keep us tied here. These forces are more alluring, more enticing than anything I have found here. So if you find yourself drawn to that 'something else', you know you are on the right track.

I'm more interested in somewhere else, even though my life has never been better. Or maybe that's why my life has never been better? Anyway, I would not let that issue hold you back.

With that being said, I would like to point out that there are things out there, and they are not all BENEVOLENT.... There are various ways to contact dead spirits, entities through a variety of means. You can use a Ouija Board, automatic writing, contacting spirits through various means.

I've been reading an old book from Nostradamus' time, where the magicians from that time tried to invoke the spirits. They had various ways of attracting them, they would draw a fortified circle, say incantations, sprinkle herbs, have a pan of water nearby, dip their clothing in the water and so on.

I suspect that Kabbalah is related to this. I think it's used as a divination tool. The point is, if you need something from the spirits. You need to know the future, you need a favour, you need their help in one form or another. You can contact them, but you better be prepared for a pretty rough crowd.

[Matariki]

14. By "fear and trembling" something different is meant

not fear in the common sense - more like 'spiritual awe'. If you came face to face with "god" how do you think it would feel? Certainly not like any mundane experience.

[NuttyFluffers]

15. exactly. linguistic barriers are another issue, too.

too often we associate 'fear' in the small, everyday sense. often the older meaning of fear, or as i like to call it (with capital) "Fear," is spiritual awe, overwhelming respect and humility, awareness in the presence of something greater, dissolution of petty ego in the face of the vast. a lot of such beautiful language and meaning will probably get in the way unless a stronger sense of Judaic poetic meaning and emphasis is understood.

by the way, i'm still trying to find a certain copy of the Torah translated to english. it was a beautiful version, an almost transliteration my mom's Jewish doctor co-worker said. he also was an accomplished biblical scholar, though an amateur not a professional (aka. he didn't do such scholarship for a living. though he was good enough that he probably could...) along with being a doctor. sidenote -- when he heard about my interest 2ndhand about qabbalah he reiterated that same warning: be careful, which was precipitated by a sudden head turn, open shock, and uncomfortable pause. anyway, he thought i'd be interested in reading this latest translation saying, "it's about as close to what. it. is. that you will find. it is what it is." reading it was quite a trip. it was all the same old stories i remember reading, but this time they resonated with Fearsome Power. it also shook away silly linguistic hurdles that plagued our current popular poetic, but flawed translations (i'm looking at you KJV). i so wish i could get a copy of that book... it was beautiful in the way a gemstone beyond value is, but it also resonated with such a living awareness and raw energy that it was easily one of the most humbling and chilling experiences i had.