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God Is a Verb

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Paperback
$17.00 US
6"W x 9"H x 0.9"D   | 13 oz | 28 per carton
On sale Sep 01, 1998 | 352 Pages | 978-1-57322-694-3
Since medieval times, the mystical tradition of Kabbalah was restricted to qualified men over forty—because it was believed that only the most mature and pious could grasp its complexity and profound, life-changing implications. More recently, Kabbalah nearly disappeared—as most of its practitioners perished in the Holocaust. In the national bestseller God Is a Verb, this powerful spiritual tradition, after centuries of secrecy and near-extinction, is explained clearly by one of its most prominent teachers.

Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? How do we get there? These questions have fueled Kabbalists for nearly a millennium. Rabbi David A. Cooper is the first to bring this obscure and difficult tradition to a mainstream audience in a way that gently leads us to the heart of the subject, showing us how to transform profound teachings into a meaningful personal experience—and appreciate fully this great mystical process we know as God.

"Rabbi Cooper opens wide the centuries-old treasure house of the Jewish tradition. This is a wise book...broad and accessible. It's one of those books that people will read a lot over the years"&#151Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of A Path with Heart

"David Cooper's rich wisdom and practical exercises bring Judaism alive in an exciting new way."&#151Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of A Woman's Book of Life

"Offers insight into the everyday practice of mystical Judaism...lively prose...a rewarding book."&#151Publishers Weekly

"A superb, sensitive, and gentle guide."&#151Ram Dass, author of Be Here Now

Rabbi David A. Cooper studied mystical Judaism in Jerusalem's Old City for more than eight years, and has authored several books on meditation, spiritual retreats, and Jewish mystical practice. He also recorded the bestselling audiotape series The Mystical Kabbalah, and along with his wife, Shoshana, directs the Heart of Stillness Hermitage near Boulder, Colorado. View titles by David Cooper
God Is a Verb - Rabbi David A. Cooper Preface
Author's Note
Acknowledgments
Part One: The Past
Ma'Asey Bereshit (The Work of Creation)
Raising Holy Sparks
Awareness
The Garden of Eden
Mystical Creation
The Nature of God
Part Two: The Present
Olam Ha-Zeh (This World)
Template of Creation
Five Worlds, Five Soul Dimensions
Souls
Fate and Miracles
Angels and Demons
Good and Evil
Part Three: Higher Awareness
Ma'Asey Merkevah (The Work of the Chariot)
The Mystical Chariot
The Path of the Tzaddik (Jewish Enlightenment)
The Path of Learning
The Path of Respect
The Path of Generosity
The Path of Lovingkindness
The Path of Moderation
The Path of Purity
The Path of Joy
The Path of Selflessness
The Path of Awe
The Path of Equanimity
The Path of Extraordinary Mind-States
The Path of Life Eternal (God Consciousness)
Part Four: Beyond This Life
Olam Ha-Bah (The World to Come)
Reward, Punishment, and Divine Providence
Dying and Fear
Reincarnation
Dying and Death
Heaven, Hell, and Resurrection
Epilogue
Endnotes
Index

About

Since medieval times, the mystical tradition of Kabbalah was restricted to qualified men over forty—because it was believed that only the most mature and pious could grasp its complexity and profound, life-changing implications. More recently, Kabbalah nearly disappeared—as most of its practitioners perished in the Holocaust. In the national bestseller God Is a Verb, this powerful spiritual tradition, after centuries of secrecy and near-extinction, is explained clearly by one of its most prominent teachers.

Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? How do we get there? These questions have fueled Kabbalists for nearly a millennium. Rabbi David A. Cooper is the first to bring this obscure and difficult tradition to a mainstream audience in a way that gently leads us to the heart of the subject, showing us how to transform profound teachings into a meaningful personal experience—and appreciate fully this great mystical process we know as God.

Praise

"Rabbi Cooper opens wide the centuries-old treasure house of the Jewish tradition. This is a wise book...broad and accessible. It's one of those books that people will read a lot over the years"&#151Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of A Path with Heart

"David Cooper's rich wisdom and practical exercises bring Judaism alive in an exciting new way."&#151Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of A Woman's Book of Life

"Offers insight into the everyday practice of mystical Judaism...lively prose...a rewarding book."&#151Publishers Weekly

"A superb, sensitive, and gentle guide."&#151Ram Dass, author of Be Here Now

Author

Rabbi David A. Cooper studied mystical Judaism in Jerusalem's Old City for more than eight years, and has authored several books on meditation, spiritual retreats, and Jewish mystical practice. He also recorded the bestselling audiotape series The Mystical Kabbalah, and along with his wife, Shoshana, directs the Heart of Stillness Hermitage near Boulder, Colorado. View titles by David Cooper

Table of Contents

God Is a Verb - Rabbi David A. Cooper Preface
Author's Note
Acknowledgments
Part One: The Past
Ma'Asey Bereshit (The Work of Creation)
Raising Holy Sparks
Awareness
The Garden of Eden
Mystical Creation
The Nature of God
Part Two: The Present
Olam Ha-Zeh (This World)
Template of Creation
Five Worlds, Five Soul Dimensions
Souls
Fate and Miracles
Angels and Demons
Good and Evil
Part Three: Higher Awareness
Ma'Asey Merkevah (The Work of the Chariot)
The Mystical Chariot
The Path of the Tzaddik (Jewish Enlightenment)
The Path of Learning
The Path of Respect
The Path of Generosity
The Path of Lovingkindness
The Path of Moderation
The Path of Purity
The Path of Joy
The Path of Selflessness
The Path of Awe
The Path of Equanimity
The Path of Extraordinary Mind-States
The Path of Life Eternal (God Consciousness)
Part Four: Beyond This Life
Olam Ha-Bah (The World to Come)
Reward, Punishment, and Divine Providence
Dying and Fear
Reincarnation
Dying and Death
Heaven, Hell, and Resurrection
Epilogue
Endnotes
Index