From Ecstasy to Lunch – A New and Insightful Book on Kabbalah

Boulder-area kabbalist and author, Samuel Ben-Or Avital, has just released his newest book, “From Ecstasy to Lunch.”  The book is now available on Amazon at:  https://www.amazon.com/Ecstasy-Lunch…/dp/0986119628/

Avital grew up in the line of a simple and remarkable family, which traces its lineage to 15^th century Spain and before, carrying the wisdom of the kabbalah, from generation to generation, of famous kabbalistic rabbis, sages, and poets.  Having grown up in this rich environment, his writings illuminate the way to a very rich, lived experience of the kabbalah.  Undoubtedly, this book provides more than just intellectual understanding of the kabbalah, but inner wisdom and practical exercises, that could guide a person to truly change their life path and transform the way they experience the world.

The book has a variety of writings, from Samuel’s own childhood stories, growing up in this deeply kabbalistic household, to insightful articles, stories, poems and practical exercises.

Avital says that the book “has some very important messages for our turbulent and perplexed times, so we can overcome the darkness to go into the light.”  He says that “the book contains specific and practical exercises to use, in order to increase self-realization. This will help you to rise above the current assault of words and distortion of language, which we now see everywhere, increasing fear, and confusion. Practicing the exercises will assist you greatly to rise above the confusion and find your own way of intelligence, creativity, and genuine happiness.”

This echoes a theme repeated throughout Avital’s book that he calls “Keep Me Sane in the Midst of Madness.”  Avital expresses the idea that a person can stay, sane, grounded, and creatively independent, despite any events that are happening in the world around them.  As Avital says in his writings:

“Keep me sane in the midst of madness
Keep me silent in the midst of noise
Keep me still in the midst of turmoil
Keep me a soft rose in the midst of thorns

Keep me lucid in the midst of slumber
Keep me whole in the midst of parts
Keep me in the vicinity of love in the midst of hate
Keep me an open door in the midst of walls”

Avital says of our times:

“The storms and tornadoes do not last forever. Right now, human consciousness itself, and many individual human lives, are going through the process of ‘being cooked,’ and purified, through what I call the ‘Spiritual Laundry.’ And we are already in the boiling stage. So, we should increase our kindness to one another, to pass through the great difficulties that we are now experiencing.  We know that this massive shift shall also pass, and those who are spiritually strong and ready, will sense that shift deeply, and emerge into the Great Light of Being.  And I hope that this book will be a contribution to that Tikkun.”