The Rebbe speaking on 13 Tammuz 5739 • July 08 1979, courtesy of JEM:
The Sages of the Talmud ask: “Why does G-d allow the sun and moon to exist, if they have become objects of idolatry?” They answer: The forces of nature are positive and beneficial; should God destroy His creations only because of the fools who worship them?
This same principle applies to a new trend of the Twentieth Century. Many troubled youth — and adults — have joined religious cults that practice forms of meditation involving idolatrous rituals. Meditation itself can indeed have the positive effect of calming the nerves and the psyche, but it must divested of anything idolatrous.
Doctors who treat psychological or emotional disorders have a sacred obligation to find a way to utilize the therapeutic benefits of meditation in a Kosher way. When the success of a Kosher meditation method becomes publicized, people attracted by idolatrous methods will be saved.
Rabbi Kaplan,A”H, who wrote a couple of books on meditation, “Jewish meditation, a Practical guide,” and “Meditation and Kabbala.” I once had a personal encounter with Rav Kaplan back in 1970 or 80, when popular meditation ideas, such as TM, needed a kosher alternative. He told me that, before I came, he hosted in his home Yehuda Landes, A”H, and his colleageue, “Chaim Rosen,” who was suppose to be an expert in Jewish alternatives to popular meditation movements sweeping the US. When they described to R. Kaplan what they had to offer, he bluntly told them,”You know nothing about Jewish… Read more »
Therefore your question: “can medication be kosher” is silly.
Thanks for your comment. Can you tell me more where I can find the Rebbe’s comments on the use of the medical symbol (caduceus) with the snake.
Mordechai Chemel MSW, RSW
HealthBasedMeditation.com
1. their training are based on avodah zarah? ANSWER: according to the Rebbe, Tools, (even those tools used by A”Z, are not inherently bad) Aderaba, the Rebbe wanted, the tools to be seen as neutral, and to be used for Non A”Z benefits! 2. staff was trained by frischling (so it doesnt matter if he is/was there) ANSWER: Thats not the Rebbe’s shita, you wont find a source for that endless logic!!! clearly, it is possible to extract and isolate the techniques from their AZ serving past use. 3. the rebbe obviously didn’t mean specifically “transcendental …” anything coming from… Read more »
There is a kosher healing meditation program that is 100% Torah-based and follows the Rebbe’s strict guidance on this matters. The meditation was compiled by Rabbi Meilech Leib DuBrow, a Chabad Rabbi and a practicing Jewish healer for over 40 years, A free introduction to the healing meditation is available at http://www.torahrx.com/meditations/meditations.html. It should be noted however that it is “prescribed” for only 14 days at a time.
320 COTS is the best way to sneak chasidus to those who didn’t realize ALL it’s practical Real-world value Cots does NOT in Anyway Claim to replace Chasidus It simply reminds u to IMPLEMENT CHASIDUS! Including the importance of: 1. Routine Cheshbin Hanefesh 2. Brius Haguf (a klain lecheleh in guf…) 3. Routine Duch to Mashpia (yedid mavin) 4. Practice True (selfless) Ahavas yisroel 5. Avoid Atzvus 6. Attend (real) Farbrengens (where everyone is there for self improvement “vee amul”) 7. “Zai a pnimi” whatever your doing, be fully focused. 8. Hachlatos, (with your ALR) set positive Goals to accomplish… Read more »
it seems the minyanim of crown heights perhaps need to try to daven like the way the chassidic rebbes perhaps suggested we should. why cannot we have an attack on the yetzer hara of crown heights speed davening, instead of some sub-group which has weekend retreats to try to advocate kavanah in prayer and b’iyun. even if COTS does not directly advocate long prayers, etc., it is clear from all the comments that they at least indirectly are promoters of introspection, etc, which more or less is what long davening is. we should attack crown heights chassidim, not the call… Read more »
If Deep breathing (in ur dictionary) = MEDITATION
Then,
By the same logic, walking around the block 1x = DANCING THE KAZATZKEH
24 makes it very clear that Other than deep breathing, non of the other irreducible ingredients of meditation are used,
Breathing itself, devoid of any Mantra, mental or visual imagery, etc does not represent HISBONENUS nor the CONCEPT known as meditation,
Stop pretending this is complicated
this Diceptive shtik (u did) of taking only half of his quote, reveals your DELIBERATE attempt to DISTORT the truth.
why would you do that??
he qualifies precisely what he was referring to “call it any label u want”
if “DEEP BREATHING” a common, kosher form of relaxation = The Meditation the Rebbe was Sholel, then you already have your mind made up!
Its not prudent to misquote comments, that are soo easily verifiable, (by ommitting the crucial second half of the quote, you revealed ur real colors
PLEASE DONT OMIT the full quote
the only resemblance to Meditation of sorts was “DEEP BREATHING” thats it
NON OF THE: Mantras, Repetitive movements, or Images, as in the case of SECULAR or IDOLATROUS meditation
heres the FULL quote from 24
if u call this Meditation at all!
“Meditation” (of sorts was used) we wer asked to breath deeply, (no Montras, Images, or Visuals were suggested – Pareve or Questionable, during this excersize,
check out the website; tranquilmeadows.com and you’ll also see the haskomos of Rabbi M.M. Glukowsky and Rabbi Fischel Jacobs
“From what I have heard from those who went…does not teach meditation kosher or otherwise.”
Now let us consider 24 who did go: “Meditation, (of sorts was used).”
So, if meditation of sorts was used, why would others who have gone, insisted to 26 that no meditation was used. Ut doh ligt der hunt bagrobem…is there something to hide? And if so, why?
In countless ma’amarim beginning from the Alter Rebbe and extending to our Rebbe the point is made that genuine worshipful davening requires contemplation with the inner aspect of Understanding (Binah) and deep entry with Knowledge (Da’as). What are these? They are more than ‘information.’ Even a brief look at Kuntres ha-Tefilla will make this clear. See the summary of chapter 2: “He explains that study and knowing are merely preparation to contemplation during prayer. The fundament of contemplation is specifically [when done] at length and on the interior [penimius], for then does it have an actual lasting effect. The Rebbe… Read more »
While fascinating this video has nothing to do with the COTS discussion that has been taking place.
From what I have heard from those who have been on COTS (full disclaimer I have never gone) COTS does not teach meditation Kosher or otherwise.
the article really does give great clarity in this whole new world for most of us. and to see the Rebbe’s involvement in every step is mind boggling!!
i highly recommend reading it!
thanks again.
Question: Does anyone know IF/WHERE the Rebbe address the tools used at Shofar? 1. Ice breakers: Dancing with a bunch of strangers. 2. Clarifying Goals: Writing down your most important Values/Goals/Hopes… 3. Carpet-work: Visualizing yourself as a child: and becoming aware of any early trauma which may still be in your: Avodas H’, Marriage, Parenting etc 4. Hachlatos: Setting new Hachlatos in the area of being a more loving Husband/Father/Family member. 5. Farbrenging: Circle time with others, practicing how to see others on a human vulnerable level, with unconditional love and acceptance. 6. Bitush: Generating rage at the YH (by… Read more »
Mordechai Chemel MSW, RSW, not to put your program down or anything, but I notice you use the medical symbol (caduceus) with the snake. Surely this is an oversight as the Rebbe did not approve of this logo?
the correct link is: http://www.academia.edu/2503448/The_Lubavitcher_Rebbes_Call_for_a_Scientific_Non-Hasidic_Meditation
It is absolutely mind blowing how much the Rebbe was involved in this objective of saving so many Yiddishe Neshamos, and hardly anyone is even aware of this project! Ashreinu Mah Tov Chelkeinu!
Me again, the Bt that got lucky number 18. I would have thought that saying the shemona esrey 3 times a day, and the shema daily. (and even korbanos) would be meditation. By saying something repetitiously, this would be considered meditation, a mantra, we say she-yiboneh bais hamikdash bi’m’hayra … This is a mantra and/or a meditation. And in addition to the”meditations” in the daily siddur, the alter rebbe (and perhaps all chassidische rebbes) are prescribing to frum yidden to do yet even more hisbonenus than what is in the daily siddur, in addition that we should utilize our perceptions… Read more »
As a complete non-expert in the field of meditation or chassidus (perhaps the experts can comment), my understanding is that meditation in its usual sense is not all what the Alter Rebbe is talking about in Tanya.
While Hisbonenus is technically a form of meditation, its quite different. in Hisbonenus, as I understand it, there are no special breathing techniques or repetitive obsessions on images, words or thoughts. It is a process of deep, thoughtful contemplation on a concept or idea by pondering exploring its full width, breadth and depth.
The meditation out there from the far east focuses on clearing the mind from everything by one focusing on their breathing or a mantra a sound etc. that is not hisboinenus but emptiness pustkait. I hope it helps explain this.
Does not the Tanya say many times we are supposed to do”hisbonenus on the gadlus ein sof…” many, many times? What does this mean? How do we practically do? I (a Bt) imagine it to be appreciation of nature, maybe even study of science of nature, like wonder of how the human body work, astronomy, deep sea life, etc. Etc. And seeing our selves as being very small relative to the vastness of creation as embodied by the various schools of science. Please people comment on what the alter rebbe had in mind, as I am bothered by the fact… Read more »
Hisbonenus is a very basic idea, deep thinking, that it.
Meditation is usually using weird techniques the manipulate your mind in ways that you cant do normally.
in all these comments (earlier articles); i do not recall reference to hisbonenus. is not hisbonenus equal to meditation? if so, what is the big deal? we are supposed to meditate on the “gadlus ein sof” – is this not to see ourselves as very small in the vast large world or universe, to marvel at the works of creation, etc. and to consider to do this in a “meditative” way? if so, why all the anti-hisbonenus comments (in the other articles)
Our program has been reviewed and approved by a leading Rav in Chabad. I hope to publish the official Haskmah on COL in the near future, along with a feature article that describes the research that went into our program.
Mordechai Chemel MSW, RSW
HealthBasedMeditation.com
the letter is dated 21 adar 2 5738. It is relevent to this issue: I would like to make a further point, though entirely not in my domain, namely, in reference to hypnosis as one of the techniques used in psychotherapy, as mentioned in your letter. I have always been wary of any method that deprives a person of the free exercise of his will, and which puts him in the power of another person, even temporarily – except, of course, in case of pikuach nefesh [saving a life]. Certainly I would not favor the use of such a method… Read more »
The Rebbe only approved of Medication in the context of a sick person in need of it!! Kabbalah or not!
There is something called Hisbonenus (deep contemplation) in Iyanim of Chassidus which is of a completely different nature, it has nothing to do with regular meditation.
now all those that call themselves lubavitch and a chossid should say im sorry to rabbi shea hecht for the disrespect
This program is a side project of mine that has been in the works since 1999.
I consulted with Dr. Landes in the early stages of its research.
The HealthBasedMeditation.com program was finally launched last year.
Mordechai Chemel MSW, RSW
Toronto, Canada
the Rebbe differentiates between
1. “Transcendental Meditation” (idolatry, or on its border).
2. “Meditation” (Kosher, but for ‘sick’)
3. “Kabbalah Meditation” “WORTHY AND COMMENDABLE
Your program sounds great, but can you please tell us which Rabbonim give their Haskamah to it.
Thank you!
who is meditation for?
who should run the kosher program?
should Chassidus be mixed into it? (surprisingly NO!)
with who was the Rebbe corresponding for over a year on how to develop this program?
here’s a great article that gives much insight into this fascinating piece of history, with much application to today.
http://www.academia.educol/2503448/The_Lubavitcher_Rebbes_Call_for_a_Scientific_Non-Hasidic_Meditation
thanks for posting
Dr. Landes passed away in 2006, so how did you consult with him regarding your recently created meditation program. Just curious.
scary to see how cautious and strong the Rebbe writes about the issue – “there is surely no need to emphasize how strictly one must regard any suspicion of A.Z., even the remotest”. here’s the letter: 5742 Dr. _________ Miami Beach, Fl. Greeting and Blessing: After the long interval, I was especially pleased to receive your letter. May G-d, whose benevolent Providence extends to each and everyone, lead you in the way of the fullest utilization of your abilities to help others, and help yourself, in strict accord with the Torah. This is also the way of Hatzlacha in the… Read more »
Listening to the Rebbe’s powerful words is always healing and inspirational.
Just to let readers know that members of Anash, who are Doctors and Social Workers, have followed the Rebbe’s directives and recently created a Meditation Program that is in accordance with what the Rebbe was looking for. We have worked with a Rav and consulted with Laibl Wolf in Australia and Dr. Judah Landes. Our Health Based Meditation Program, is simple, clear, and easy to use. It contains no religious or philosophical elements so that anyone from any background will feel comfortable with its contents. Please check our program out and promote it as much as possible: HealthBasedMeditation.com Sincerely, Mordechai… Read more »
This is the Video that we should be showing people!
we don’t need “Unzirer” to be getting involved with this
Cult Business.
The Rebbe set up clear guide lines for every chossid to abide by!
very timely 🙂