Mystic Meditation Cards

Video Practices

These video practices accompany our Mystic Meditation Cards, a 90-card deck of Jewish Meditations. To order one, buy here. To stay updated on new meditations and offerings, subscribe here:

Card name: Light of the Shechinah

Meditation Type: Visualization

Rabbi Eliezer taught that the ‘Shechinah’/ Feminine Divine Presence rests above one’s head at all times. In the Temple Period, Kabbalists would meditate on this light hovering above them as a midnight-blue glow ( Sefer Chareidim, Chapter 3).

Sit quietly and invite all of your presence here and now. Sense the space above the crown of your head, visualizing a glow of blue light. If you cannot feel this presence, gaze upwards and humbly ask for the light of the Shechinah to present herself to you. Smile at this vibrating light.

What area of your body or life needs healing? Invite the Shechinah’s light there.

Card name: Desert traveler

Meditation Type: Contemplation

What took the Jews 40 years in the desert could have taken 11 days. The purpose was not just to arrive, rather, to journey, to transform. Each of us are walking through our own unique wilderness.

Renounce the rush! Instead of jumping from one thing to the next, luxuriate through your transitions today. Patiently work through your objectives, seeing how the in-between moments transform you.

What is your ‘wilderness’ and how can you journey through it with more consciousness?’

Card name: Ocean Breath

Meditation Type: Breath

“Many waters cannot extinguish the love, and rivers cannot wash it away” (Song of Songs 8:7)

Practice Ocean Breath by breathing in deeply, gathering the breath towards the back of your throat. Visualize a wave filling you up. With the lips sealed, exhale with a slight constriction of the throat. Listen to the soothing ocean sound you create as you visualize a wave receding from the shoreline. Continue this cycle for 5-10 breaths.

Following the exercise, pause to allow for integration. Reflect or journal on the physical and emotional impact of your breathwork practice.

Card name: Shema 1, 2 & 3

Meditation Type: Sound

Kabbalah reveals that of the 3 sounds in the Hebrew word Shema/Listen, the “Sshh” sound is sourced in the mind and corresponds to the element of fire (Sefer Yetzirah)

Slowly breathe out the word Shema. Close the eyes and visualize a small flame in the mind’s eye. Like a mother soothes her child, vibrate the soothing sound “Shhh” to gently guide your mind into quietude. If you have distracting thoughts, re-focus on your divine blaze.

How does quieting your mind enhance your ability to listen?

The second sound in the Hebrew word Shema/Listen is “Mmm”. In Kabbalistic thought, this sound is sourced in the low-belly and corresponds to the water element. Many Kabbalistcs would drop awareness into their belly while humming to attain higher consciousness. (Aryeh Kaplan). 

Slowly enunciate the word Shema. Place your hands on your navel and hum the “Mmm” sound, visualizing cooling waters in the low belly as you enter your inner-calm. This sound guides us to listen to our deep innate knowingness.

The key lesson of water is to trust in the flow. If you find yourself doubting, return to your low-belly intuition. 

The last sound in the sacred Hebrew word Shema/Listen is “Ahhh”. Kabbalah reveals that this sound is sourced in the chest and lungs, which correlate to the wind element. (Sefer Yetzirah)

Sound out the word Shema slowly. Now extend the last sound, “Ahhh” through an open-mouth exhale. Listen to this healing sound as it reverberates through the chest. Let the wind of air sweep through your body.  

Listening is a form of receiving. Notice how after a full outbreath, the lungs naturally refill on the inhale, receiving new lifeforce. 

For a free source-sheet with more in-depth explanation on the sounds of the Shema, including a visual graph from Sefer Yetzirah, send us your email below:

Card name: Song of Creation

Meditation Type: Sound

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach taught that at every moment, G-d is singing the world into being.

Find a quiet spot, preferably outside. Close your eyes to tune into the gift of hearing. Start by noticing the sounds furthest away from you. Listen for 1-2 minutes. Then, notice the sounds closest to you for 1-2 minutes. Finally, notice the sounds inside of you, from your breath to your heartbeat.

When you tune into the sounds of creation, what surprises or stands out to you?