THE SEFIROT OF EMANATION:
At the core of Kabbalah
is the Sefirot, often known as the Cosmic Tree of Life. It comprises a
diagram that to modern eyes resembles a flow chart. From this chart flows a hierarchy
of 10 mysterious symbols of both celestial and mystical significance based on secret ancient teachings. The hierarchy itself came into being among Hebrew sages of the dark ages, and emerged full bloom
in 16th century Europe among distinguished Jewish scholars.
At that time
the scholar, Moses Cordovero called it the Tree of Emanation, reflecting the Neo Platonic concept of Spirit corrupting into
matter as the cosmos evolved. Meanwhile, the distinguished Isaac Luria depicted
it as the Tree of Return, reflecting a mystical journey of the material self returning back through the spiritual hierarchy
to the Divine. However, Luria did not neglect the cosmic evolution, as we will
see.
Rather than depicting
the ludicrousy of an anthropomorphic God as creator, the Sefirot speaks of Ein Sof
(Literally, Eternity): the Source Mystery of all being and becoming. According
to the visions of Luria: In the Beginning, the enigmatic energy of Ein Sof stretched
out to infinity. Then came the infinite flux when this unspeakable expanse of
energy suddenly collapsed inward into hidden realms to leave an eternal void of nothingness and non-being.
Then the unthinkable,
condensed power of Ein Sof radiated out into the emptiness to suddenly create the glowing void called Keter (literally,
circle or crown) surrounded by the nebulous vapor of creation. And within that
Void lurked Hokhmah (literally, Wisdom) or Cosmic Law, which impregnated
the Void to create Binah, the Cosmic Womb of Creation. Henceforth, Hokmah
was metaphorically known as Abba, Father-God of the universe, and Binah as Imma, the Cosmic Mother of all things.
But the horrendous
energy of Ein Sof was such that it shattered the Void into multiple forces. And
from the shattering emerged Hesed, or absolute freedom and expansiveness exploding toward chaos. But thanks to cosmic lawfulness Gervurah, or constricting power, appeared to balance the free-wheeling
energy, and create order from the chaos. Then the symmetry emerged as Tif'eret
(Literally Beauty), the Cosmic Offspring (or "Son") as new creation evolving throughout the universe.
What amazes some
scholars today is: (1) the sparseness of mythical personification in the cosmology,
and (2) How close this medieval rendition comes to modern cosmology. In search of a unified cosmic theory, scientists speak today of an 11 dimensional universe collapsing most
of its dimensions, then suddenly inflating, and its unified force field initially shattering into the separate forces (i.e.
the gravitational, electromagnetic and nuclear forces) as it expanded into its current realm.
Supernatural rhetoric
does not seem to consistently appear until the Sefirot comes down to the lower realms of consciousness, as we know it. Netsah represents eternal prophecy and could be rendered as Neshema, the highest
aspect of the human soul where it connects to its cosmic Ground of Being. Netsha
is balanced by Hod, or splendor, which could be rendered as Ruah the spiritual body.
And emanating from each living form is Yesod, or life force, which could be rendered as Nepesh, the animal soul
(its symbol, the phallus).
And underlying it
all is the Shekhina, or Malkhut, the maternal gateway known by many names including the Moon Queen and God's maternal
Presence among us. But are these lower realms supernatural or symbolic? To find out, we must go to the Mystical Sefirot, better known as the Sefirot of Return.
THE SEFIROT OF RETURN
The Sefirot diagram in
the Kabbalah crudely resembles the figure of a person. The esteemed Rabbi Isaac
Kook (1865-1935) claimed that all existence was the body of God. And each of
us, being an infinitesimal fractal of that body, is a universe within a universe. As above and without, so below and within. Ironically scientists recently found a constellation of galaxies shaped like a human
body reaching far out into the universe. And in the Gospel of Thomas the Christos
says, "I take my stand in the midst of the cosmos."
The Kabbalah sees
us at the bottom of the cosmic hierarchy as broken vessels losing their light, vessels that must be mended through meditation
and sacred rites, with kindness and wisdom. It is said the Divine cannot work
for persons except in and through persons, but needs their help to do so. In
the Sefirot of Return we must reverse the process of emanations from above to reconnect with the Divine Source.
At the lowest rung of
the Sefirot is the Shekhina, also known as Gods maternal Presence in our world, and the maternal gateway to salvation. Gateways to vital transitions appear always guarded by pitfalls and stumbling
blocks. The supernal gate is also guarded by many "demons" of the soul; and they
are called sloth, fear, ignorance, temptation, distraction and doubt. Such obstacles must be overcome with self-discipline
and meditative practices that are beyond the scope of this section. Suffice it
that the feminine side of the Godhead is less menacing than the patriarchal side and becomes the symbolic Maternal Gate.
If the adept is
to achieve the self-discipline and find the methods to enter the gate, he or she must also be in close connection with Yesod, (known archaically as the life force or nepesh, the animal soul). I believe Freud's term "Eros", the life drive (as opposed to "Thanatos", the death
drive) might be more familiar to modern minds here. Few realize until too late
how insidiously the drive towards spiritual and physical death can take hold during depression, addiction, or an undisciplined
lifestyle.
Once inertia is
overcome and the drive toward life is vitalized, the adept can become filled with the spirit of healing and well being as
symbolized by the splendor of Hod or ruah, the spiritual self. Then comes
the stage of Netsah, or neshema the connection to ones true being as part of humanity, nature and the cosmos. Here healing turns to realizing and actualising of ones true potentials
The next stage is that
of Tif'eret where the soul obliviates beyond the self into oneness with the constant cosmic resurrection into new being
and becoming. Here self-actualization leaps into self-transcendence and the adept
becomes twice born.
Lest the ensuing
state of loving freedom called Hesed becomes chaotic, the state of Gevurah or disciplined equanimity must be
achieved if sanity is to be preserved.
Then comes mystical union
as the guiding light of Hokhimah shines forth from Binah, the cosmic womb and final gateway to the shining Void
of Keter and oneness with Ein Sof, the Source mystery of all Being.
In an age of Christian
persecution and witch hunts, the language of the Kabbalah was purposefully symbolic, and obscure. For a clearer depiction
of the mystical journey and experience, click "The Mystic Way" below.
