Some Kabbalists attain an ecstatic state by singing or humming a wordless melody over and over again. This repetitive, wordless melody is called a niggun. Other mystics enter a trance state by singing sacred songs.
For such musically oriented mystics, song is considered preferable to contemplative meditation or even prayer for attaining an ecstatic state of mind.
One of Hassididm's most learned rabbis, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the great grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, believed that singing and dancing were equal to study and silent meditation for attaining a mystical state. He always emphasized such joyful and spontaneous meditation.
If you are not comfortable with singing, there are plenty of CD's featuring sacred music. That you can listen to, but the music must be vibrant. It must resonate with sound and power. It has been scientifically proven that music can affect the brain's alpha waves, which are associated with deep relaxed, meditative states. The Kabbalists have understood this principle for centuries.
So whether you want to sing a niggun or put on your headphones let the music enliven and excite you. You want to build up your reservoir of psychic energy.
Chanting
Devotional chanting is a form of meditation that vocally celebrates the Divine. It is also another powerful way to attain a state of trance. Chanting has been described by Swami Silvananda as "melting the heart, filling the mind with purity, and generating divine love and harmony."
Almost every spiritual tradition incorporates devotional chanting, including Kabbalah. Most orthodox Jews wrap themselves in prayer shawls and chant. Muslims chant from the tops of minarets and Hindus intone sacred mantras.
Many Kabbalists like to chant the introductory verses to the Psalms. Some chant the holy letters of the sacred name – Yad, Hay, Vav, Hay. The chanting of the Bible is also a form of sacred meditation.
If you chant, do so with enthusiasm. Beat a drum if you want to like the Native Americans do. This is one of the most powerful tools for transforming consciousness, with the power to open our hearts, heal our bodies, and shift our realities.
Good Vibrations
"Vibrating" the Divine names of God along with the names of various Archangels is another trance-inducing methods that continues to be used by Kabbalists.
Each letter comprising one of the holy names of God or the names of the four Archangels is slowly pronounced. Y…E…H…O…V…H. Feel the letters vibrating as you pronounce them. M…i…c…h…a…e…l, G…a…b…r…i…e…l, A…r…i…e…l, R…a…f…a…e…l.
When you are "vibrating" these letters, close your eyes raise your eyes under your closed lids and "look" at the letters. Visualize the shekhinah descending from heaven and bringing white healing light with her.
Visualize the light passing through the letters and into places in your body where you need healing. Let this healing energy build up within you. Feel health and balance being restored deep inside you.
