Toward the Infinite: The Way of Kabbalistic Meditation

A reader friendly "how-to" book, Rabbi DovBer Pinson quite capably articulates an esoteric topic clearly and succinctly. The book is appropriate for people with all levels of background in Kabbalah, introductory to advanced. He steps the reader through the Hitbonenut contemplative method of meditation using the example "Ein Od Milvado" (There is Nothing Besides the Oneness). He doesn't mention the source of this example, though many will recognize the Hebrew from Deuteronomy 4:35. In the introduction, he makes it clear that he intended this book as a practical step-by-step guide, and that all sources and references are documented elsewhere in his other book, Meditation and Judaism: Exploring the Jewish Meditative Paths.Rabbi Pinson does an exceptional job explaining the three basic capacities of the intellect--chochmah, binah, da'at--and how they interact together. Along the way he covers other concepts that come into play for this meditation method, including bitul hayesh (the nullification of the ego), ayin (nothingness), tzimtsum (contraction/concealment), deveikut (ultimate unification with the Infinite), he'staclut (gazing), Or Ein Sof (endless infinite light) and atzmut (the essence of all reality). He does not assume the reader has prior understanding of any of these concepts.I must also comment that the format of the book is easy on the eyes. Each paragraph is separated by a decorative symbol that I thought looked like an infinity symbol on a one line music staff. My interpretation of that could be coming from my frame of mind as I was reading, imagining the sound of one all-encompassing infinite musical note.I highly recommend this book.

This book is a manual on Jewish meditation. Specificially it describes the Habad Contemplative meditation called Hitbonanut. Unfortunately prior to this book, there has been very little in the form of a user friendly "How To' description of this type of Jewish meditation. I was very impressed with how clearly the author explains this technique in non technical language and in a sense it compliments his earlier book on Judaism and Meditation where Hitbonanut is also explained. I think this book is an attempt to encourage practice of this meditation. In that way I am very grateful for this book. The author is a committed meditator and scholar and each new book is a welcome gift to many of us who are seeking guidance on how to come closer to ther divine.

DovBer Pinson takes the reader on a crash course through Chabad style meditation techniques. This book is clearly written and easy to understand. However, the reader should be aware that the style of meditation taught here is extremely challenging. As a Chabad approach, it stresses intellectual elements; unlike other forms of mediation, which involve the body, breathing, postures (sometimes all) Pinson's approach is strictly intellectual. He provides a challenging form of mental self-discipline for anyone who wishes to try it.