Nefesh Chaya
The site of Jewish Meditation
The purpose of Nefesh Haya is to teach and train teachers in the practices of Ophanim and in the specific system of Jewish meditation which we call “Prophetic Jewish Meditation”.Ophanim Yoga is the system of meditation integrated with body postures which works with the spiritual and energetic attributes of the Hebrew letters.
Prophetic Jewish Meditation is a series of seven stages/techniques in which the person moves up the ladder of his/her soul to reach a state of mental stability, renewal, expansion and greater access to the inner voice/God-within. These stages are all based on traditional kabalistic techniques and a sequence of practice which was transmitted by one of the greatest modern Breslover Chassidim and Kabalists, Rav Gedalyah Aharon Koenig z”l.of Zfat and Jerusalem. To make this precious knowledge available, Nefesh Haya offers various classes, workshops, and training intensives in Israel, the US and England.
The practices of Ophanim and Jewish meditation do not exist in a vacuum, but traditionally are connected with a full spiritual life which includes prayer (solitary and communal) and study. In fact, they are preparations for prayer. Nefesh Haya presents relevant teachings from such Chassidic masters as the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Nachman and the Sephardic Kabbalists to nourish this connection. This teaching is also done through storytelling and song in the tradition of the Chassidim, and in particular the great Reb Shlomo Carlebach z”l. These teachings breathe new life and add new dimensions to our lives as Jews.