Yearnings Of The Soul

Jonathan Garb's "Yearnings of the Soul: Psychological Thought in Modern Kabbalah" is an original, path-breaking study of the renderings of the "heart and soul" in the works of major, minor, and obscure but important figures of modern Kabbalah. Garb has unearthed a treasure-trove of neglected figures and texts, bringing into dialogue their views on heart and soul with those found in other religious and secular authorities. There is no other study that comes close to the territory Garb covers or, for that matter, provides the historical and cultural context necessary for understanding the rise of such psychological renderings in the works of the modern Kabbalists. His analysis shows that any attempt to essentialize the multiple and varied understandings of heart and soul in Jewish mysticism is mistaken. Analyzing text and figure in context on a case-by-case basis Garb is able to provide comparison without being reductive. This is an invaluable contribution to the discipline that cements Garb as the leading scholar of modern Kabbalah.

Western culture has been moving away from its Christian roots for several centuries but the turn from Christianity accelerated in the 20th century. At the core of this decline is a loss of a sense of our own transcendence. Scientific materialism has so seriously impacted our belief in human transcendence that many people find it difficult to believe in God and the human soul. This anti-transcendent perspective has not only cast its spell on the natural sciences, psychology, philosophy, and literature, it has also negatively impacted popular culture through the writings of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and many others. The warning signs of this loss of transcendence have been expressed by thinkers as diverse as Carl Jung (psychiatrist), Mircea Eliade (historian of religion), Gabriel Marcel (philosopher), C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. These warnings were validated by a 2004 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry which showed that the absence of religion alone was responsible for a marked increase in suicide rates, sense of meaningless, substance abuse, separation from family, and other psychiatric problems. Thus, the loss of transcendence is negatively affecting not only individuals’ sense of happiness, dignity, ideals, virtues, and destiny, but also the culture. Ironically, the evidence for transcendence is greater today than in any other period in history. The problem is – this evidence has not been compiled and propagated. Fr. Spitzer’s book provides a bright light in the midst of this cultural darkness by presenting both traditional and contemporary evidence for God and a transphysical soul from several major sources. He also shows how human consciousness and intelligence is completely special – and cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence or animal consciousness. We are transcendent beings with souls capable of surviving bodily death – self-reflective beings aware of perfect truth, love, goodness, and beauty. We are beings with an unrestricted capacity to know and create science, law, culture, art, music, literature, and so much more. The evidence reveals that we have the dignity of being created in the very image of God, and if we underestimate it, we will undervalue one another, underlive our lives, and underachieve our destiny. This work is the most comprehensive treatment of human transcendence available today.

Author Chatha Akbar Ghulam believes God is universal. With love as his message, he shares a thought-provoking collection of essays, poems, and meditations illustrating how he has come to understand the concept of God and why he feels a loving heart is the only requirement needed to have faith in God. Chatha shares how as a youth he came to discard the traditional teachings of heredity and customs and eventually achieved inner peace and contentment by recognizing universal good and truth. As he offers his opinion on such subjects as God and war, life and death, wisdom versus ignorance, the yearnings of a soul, and heaven and hell, Chatha provides a fresh, impartial perspective on Gods influence in todays world. By sharing his thoughts on the differences between the self-righteous and true believers through personal anecdotes and inspiration from Punjabi mystic poets, Chatha quietly encourages spiritual seekers of all faiths to look inward and focus on gratitude rather than desires. Faith, Not Religions offers one mans inspiring reflections regarding his faith in God, his opinions on organized religions, and his journey to seek his own spiritual path in life.

HH “This is the gateway to G-d, the righteous come through (/with) it!” (Psalms 118:20). Many great and famous tzaddikim (righteous/saints) asserted that they did not attain their lofty standing, except through this practice of personal prayer and dialog conducted frequently and constantly with G-d, especially in seclusion (Likutay Moharan, vol. 2, Torah 25). Whether one is G-d forbid in the utter abyss of hell and still sinking, May the Holy Merciful One G-d save us, or soaring and aspiring towards the utmost holiness, his entire survival and success is contingent on the words he pours out to G-d. The words are the paradigm of the soul, their expression will be the soul's determination. Outpouring of the Soul is the textbook for this, and as such, everyone should be very familiar with it, and keep it handy at all times. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov revealed that his entire enterprise is prayer. Many of his teachings are dedicated exclusively to prayer, and interspersed throughout the rest of his teachings, are many more important fundamentals of prayer. Outpouring of the Soul is a collection of all of these, and as such it is one of the Breslov classics. Outpouring of the Soul is a comprehensive compilation particularly addressing personal prayer. First, as an introduction, the book presents the various instances of personal prayer which are written in the Bible and the Scriptures, and then it follows with excerpts from the Talmud and other early works of our Sages. The main part of the book is a collection of all the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov intrinsic to prayer; how to pray, encouragement to pray, and so forth. Bringing down from the holy books Likutay Moharan, Sefer Hamidos (“Character – The Aleph Beth Book of Traits”), The Words of Our Leader Rabbi Nachman, The Life of Our Leader Rabbi Nachman, and from the holy books of Rabbi Nachman's chief disciple, Rabbi Nussun, including the holy book Likutay Aitzoas (A colleciton of directives/advice/remedies), the letters which are publish under the name Ullim Li'ti'roo'fa (Leaves for Healing), and Likutay Halachos. The final section of the book is an abridged excerpt from Likutay Halachos which explains extensively the idea of taking holy teachings and ideas and making prayers for them. As the name of the book already suggests, it is a guide and a manual to help a person really unburden himself before the One Holy Merciful G-d, and to be able to overcome all adversity and hardship, even in the most dire circumstances, may the Holy Merciful One spare us, one can prevail and rise above, with the help of these wondrous, awesome advice, remedies, and directives presented simply and understandably in this holy book. One should familiarize himself with the entire book, and keep it handy especially when things are tough G”F. Very great effort was made in the translation of this book to ensure that the most accurate and loyal word choice was provided. This book also includes the entire book, “Rabbi Nachman of Breslov; Who He Was and What He Said” which is available separately, by itself, as well. This book has around 100 teachings of Rabbi Nachman, and a transliteration of the Tikun Haklali – General/Comprehensive Rectification, as well as an English translation of “The Short Prayer” which many say daily, especially after the recital of the Tikun Haklalli. May we merit to fully utilize the powerful constructs and techniques brought down in this holy book. Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman!

A completely redone version of a treasured classic. This newly translated volume, complete with facing Hebrew-English text and shoulder captions for clarity, revitalizes the study of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto's classic ethical work. The Path of the Just has long been regarded as the crown-jewel of mussar study. The Gaon of Vilna constantly kept a copy of Mesillas Yesharim at his side, and yet the piercing wisdom of the Ramchal is just as relevant to our own lives. The author gently guides the reader through various levels of character refinement, shining a beacon of life on the path to perfection.