The book of miracles

by Lawrence Kushner

Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing Published: 1997 Category: Personal Empowerment

Miracles surround us every day, yet most of us have lost the ability to recognize them. We've been conditioned to believe that miracles are rare, supernatural events that defy the laws of nature—dramatic interventions reserved for biblical times or extraordinary circumstances. But what if the greatest miracle is simply being alive and aware in this moment? What if miracles are the natural state of existence, and we've merely forgotten how to see them?

This profound exploration invites readers on a transformative journey into the heart of spiritual awakening through the lens of traditional Jewish wisdom and storytelling. Drawing upon ancient tales from Jewish mystical tradition, particularly the Hasidic masters, each story serves as a portal into deeper understanding of how the sacred intersects with everyday life. These aren't dusty legends relegated to the past; they're living teachings that pulse with contemporary relevance, offering insights that can radically shift how we perceive reality.

The approach here is revolutionary in its simplicity. Rather than presenting miracles as violations of natural law, readers discover that miracles represent moments of heightened awareness when the veil between the ordinary and extraordinary becomes transparent. A miracle isn't necessarily about parting seas or raising the dead; it's about recognizing the astonishing gift of consciousness itself, the improbability of existence, and the mysterious interconnectedness of all things. Through carefully selected stories and accompanying commentary, readers learn to cultivate what might be called "miracle consciousness"—a way of being fully present to the wonder that permeates every moment.

Each narrative serves multiple purposes. On one level, these stories entertain and engage with their timeless wisdom and often surprising twists. On a deeper level, they function as spiritual technologies, designed to crack open our habitual ways of thinking and perceiving. They challenge our assumptions about cause and effect, about what's possible and impossible, about the nature of reality itself. Through these tales, readers encounter rabbis and ordinary people who demonstrate that spiritual awakening isn't reserved for saints and mystics—it's available to anyone willing to pay attention differently.

What makes this resource particularly valuable for personal empowerment is its practical applicability. The wisdom contained within these pages doesn't require adopting specific religious beliefs or practices. Instead, it offers a universal framework for recognizing and experiencing the miraculous in daily life. Readers learn that empowerment comes not from controlling external circumstances but from transforming internal perception. When we shift from seeing ourselves as separate, isolated individuals in a mechanical universe to recognizing our place within an interconnected, meaning-saturated cosmos, everything changes.

The teaching style is accessible yet profound, making complex mystical concepts understandable without diluting their depth. Through story and reflection, readers explore themes of divine presence, human purpose, the nature of faith, and the relationship between seeing and believing. There's particular emphasis on how our expectations shape what we're able to perceive—a principle that modern neuroscience has only recently begun to confirm through research on attention and consciousness.

For those on a journey of personal transformation, this work offers something increasingly rare: genuine wisdom that has been tested across generations. These aren't pop psychology concepts or trendy self-help formulas. They're distilled insights from a rich spiritual tradition that has grappled with life's deepest questions for millennia. Yet they're presented in ways that speak directly to contemporary seekers, regardless of their religious background or lack thereof.

Perhaps most importantly, readers discover that cultivating awareness of miracles isn't merely about feeling good or having peak experiences. It's about developing a fundamentally different relationship with existence itself—one characterized by gratitude, wonder, humility, and profound responsibility. When we recognize that everything is miraculous, we naturally treat ourselves, others, and the world with greater reverence and care.

This is essential reading for anyone seeking to break free from the trance of ordinary consciousness and awaken to the extraordinary nature of being alive.