subject: The Jewish Mystical Tradition [print this page] The Jewish Mystical Tradition The Jewish Mystical Tradition
For Abulafia as well as later mystics one method for achieving a prophetic experience was by meditating on the Hebrew letters, especially on the four letters of the Tetragrammaton. At its extreme, true study of the Torah is focused on the letters; other forms are secondary or "ornamental." Abulafia combined this idea with breathing exercises, physical movements, and concentration drills. In the case of Abulafia, devekut via the meditative techniques described was simply a starting point in reaching the ideal spiritual state. In manner almost reminiscent of a mystical Pauline text, Abulafia viewed devekut as progressing from adhesion to reunion, from touching to absorption. The goal for the spiritual seeker was for any distinction between God and himself to disappear.
