From the editor: A highly radical interpretation of the Bible, but at the same time, one solidly based, both on the text itself and on ancient Kabbalistic teachings. One of the greatest mysteries of the Bible involves the methods used by the Prophets to attain their unique states of consciousness. Almost all of the Bible was authored by the Prophets while they were in such higher states, but virtually nothing is said about how these states were attained. In this remarkable book, Aryeh Kaplan draws from the entire spectrum of Kabbalistic literature, including many ancient unpublished manuscripts, to demonstrate how meditation played a key role in the methods used by the Prophets. All sources are cited, and many of the more important texts are quoted verbatim in translation.

Combining these ancient Kabbalistic teachings with modern research into the theory of meditation, the author explores such areas as the prophetic position, the mystery of the Cherubs, the role of music, as well as the various disciplines and mantras employed by the Prophets. Of particular importance is the interpretation of Ezekiel's vision, which is the paradym of the mystical experience, as well as the primary source of all subsequent Kabbalistic teachings. Biblical sources for the Ten Sefirot and Four Universes are discussed in detail.

The last section, "Verbal Archeology," seeks to reconstruct the biblical vocabulary used to describe mystical methods and higher states of consciousness. This section alone promises to revolutionize contemporary bible scholarship.

Pages: 192
Special Interest: Kabbalah, Cosmology, Metaphysics, Occultism, Jewish Mysticism, Religion.