GOD IS A VERB

The book "God Is A Verb" by Rabbi David A. Cooper is now an awesome part of my personal library. The author Rabbi David A. Cooper has diverse knowledge and experience in spiritual enlightenment and disciplines. I will share knowledge of this book with those that are close to me, however they will have to copy of their own. In this book you have a wisdom of the ages from great teachers/rabbis/masters of mystical Judaism that "...reveal the esoteric teachings of Kabbalah"(p. vii) In this book insight into the foundation of Western mysticism is revealed. My spiritual life is more enriched because of the knowledge and experience that flows from the author and great teachers in this book. I am connected and intertwined into the tapestry of spiritual awareness.I would be selling myself short if I read this book one time and then put it on the shelf to collect dust. This book is a great reference and source of spiritual understanding and awareness that must be tapped into at any given moment or occasion. "...Kabbalah cannot be comprehended solely through the intellect. Rather, Kabbalah is a way of life and a way of looking at things."(p. 5) The Zohar is one of the primary texts of the Kabbalah.
"Kabbalah does not lend itself to a straightforward definition or even a clear-cut history. Although Kabbalists agree on some essential points, it is impossible to present a single systematic approach that includes the entire spectrum of kabbalistic perspective. Kabbalah is not a system, as some suppose. Rather, it is an outlook, a way of perceiving the nature of reality. In essence, Kabbalah is founded upon mystical conceptions regarding life, death, creation, and creator. It teaches us about the mysteries of life, how the creation works, where we are going, how we get there."(p. 11)
"Nobody agrees that there is a definitely 'correct way to read the Torah. In fact the oral tradition suggest that there are at least 600,000 different interpretations, representing the number of those who received the Torah through Moses at Mt. Sinai."(p.46) In oral the tradition of the African American Christian experience, hermeneutics of the Gospel is quite common. On any given Sunday at worship service a preacher can come and expound upon any particular familiar text and shed new light or awareness upon that text. I remember when Dr. John Kinney came to deliver the Word at the Greater Allen Cathedral, he spoke about David and Goliath. I have heard the story of David and Goliath many times over the years. It was this particular time that knowledge was illuminated as never before on the same familiar text of David and Goliath. I still play that tape over and over again.God is a verb. "The closest we can come to thinking about God is a process rather than a being. We can think of it as 'be-ing,' as verb rather than noun."(p.69) This concept can take us to a state of awareness in our relationship to the Divine. This relationship and understanding of God is that of an on going process. This process is interactive and intertwined through the Creator, creation,and us. This is an Alpha and Omega experience.We are all sparks of the Divine is an intriguing concept that brought me to a new level of awareness in the understanding of the link between all things of this universe from the physical, mental, and spiritual level. Every plant,animal, insect,and object has a spark of the Divine in it. According to Isaac Luria, who is one of the most influential Kabbalists in the history of Jewish mysticism, "There is no sphere of existence, including organic and inorganic nature,that is not full of holy sparks which are mixed in with kelippot (husks) and need to be separated from them and lifted up."(p. 28)The author brings to our attention that awareness is our most precious gift. "I would suggest that our awareness is our most precious gift. We usually take it for granted. But what would a relationship be if our minds did not function?"(p. 33) The great teachers always brought themselves and their students to a greater level of awareness. As I read this book I was able to appreciate the power and impact of these devoted teachers. They kept their information and knowledge so closely guarded and shared it sparingly with worthy students. I really appreciate the great teachers that I have sat under from time to time. Great teachers are rare and having access to them is not always easy. The student must also be ready to receive knowledge and awareness.In the chapter "The Mystical Chariot" the author takes us through levels of understanding the attainment of awareness. He talks about the vehicle to awareness, methods for attaining higher awareness, and the path of awareness. He then proceeds to give exercises that will bring us to these levels of awareness with practice and discipline. All through the book there are many instructions on reaching spiritual levels of understanding and awareness with meditative and inward process.The Kabbalists understood the idea of Ein Sof which, transcends infinity. "Jewish mysticism teaches that we can know Ein Sof in ways that transcend thought. This aspect of developing a relationship with Endlessness, the source of creation, is the key to all Kabbalah and lifeblood of all Jewish practice. The secret teaching in developing this relationship with the Unknowable is hidden in the mystical foundation of the nature of relationship itself."(p. 67) When Moses was on the mountain top talking with the creator, he asked 'God' who shall I tell the people who sent me? 'God' said, tell them I Am that I Am sent you. That statement within itself is not a simple descriptive noun as we know it. It is most definitely an active interactive Word used to describe to the human mind the unknowable nature of that which created creation. We find many little words to describe this Divine nature and revelation.I will share the concepts that I have gained from "The Path of Loving-kindness", with the young people in my ministry. I think it is something that they can incorporate into their lives immediately. The net results will be great for them and all that they touch from now on. I have just begun to tap into the resource of information that this book and author has to offer.