Climbing the Sacred Ladder is based on the Kabbalistic idea, which holds, we live simultaneously in four different realities, while being aware of only one. In this world view, what is most important is concealed beneath the surface of apparent reality. Nothing is, as it seems to be. Rather, there is always something beyond what "meets the eye. This applies to such various areas as visual and auditory perception, inter-personal relationships, religious-text study, dreams, and even material reality. The aim of Kabbalah is to infuse each person with a higher consciousness, a less strident ego, and a stronger soul, so each person can consciously choose those deeds, feelings, and thoughts, which accelerate spiritual redemption. The Sacred Ladder, based on the biblical story of Jacob's dream, symbolizes the principle of spiritual ascension from earth to heaven, in order to attain higher consciousness. Each rung or step up this symbolic ladder brings a new realm of spiritual experience from a different dimension of life. Each realm has its own distinct spiritual task, challenge, and skills to be acquired. ." . . a very practical and effective way to gain soul strength. If you work with it, it works for you." -Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, founder of Aleph and Spiritual Leader of the Jewish Renewal Movement "Climbing the Sacred Ladder is a comprehensive, wise, helpful, imaginative, and practical manual for our evolution. . . . This is a lush and creative contribution." -Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, author of more than a score of books on Jewish spirituality and Kabbalah "An inspired prescription for healing the human soul . . . this book is a concise and practical manual to anyone seeking remedy for the pain and alienation from the sacred which marks our society. It is] for anyone who is ready to begin (or continue ) this sacred task." -Trica Hellman Gibbs, MD, co-founder San Francisco Free Clinic