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The Tree of Life |
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"Sepher," in Hebrew, means "book," or
"number." It is related to our words "sphere,"
"cipher," and "sapphire." In addition,
"Sippur" means to teach, tell a story, or impart.
The 'tree of books' was developed by Jewish mystics first
in the "Sephir Yetzirah," (Book of Formation) between
100 and 600 A.D.; and then more thoroughly in the "Sefir
ha Zohar," (Book of Splendor) written between 1280 and
1286 by Moses ben Shem Tov de Leon in Guadalajara, Spain.
Jewish mystical tradition has Adam the First as the greatest
Kabbalist. Certainly, Betzalel, the architect of the Tabernacle,
"was filled with Chochma, Binah,
and Daat." [Exodus 31:2]
Qabala originated in Judaism,
but has been adapted to numerous other religious systems.
There were Christian Kabalists, most notably the mystic Jacob
Boehme (1575-1624), whose writings influenced the nineteenth-century
magicians who led the Golden Dawn, which became known of as
the "Western Mystery Tradition."
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The interpretations in
these pages derive from a combination of the Western Mystery
tradition, Judaic tradition, and contemporary astrological analysis.
Complex genealogies trace varying threads and histories of Qabalah,
also often rendered as Kaballah, Cabala, et al.
The fact is, faithful of any religion,
or even total atheists, can find Qabala useful. Even the most
hardened existentialists have to admit to mental states; things
like ambition, enthusiasm, awe, gratitude - all conditions mapped
in the Tree of Life.
Qabala (Hebrew verb root QBL - to receive or accept) is a system
of thought - a way to correlate a variety of archetypes, each
symbolizing a different aspect of living. It correlates a multiplicity
of different approaches, widely separated from one another and
sometimes completely contradictory. Psychology, Tarot,
mythology, theosopy, dreamworking, astrology,
numerology,
poetry, and geometry all harmonize in the Tree of Life.
The Tree is a map of personal energies and thought. It is a
"filing system" for our mythologies, histories, dream
archetypes, and more. It is a way for us to visualize the un-vizualizable,
to describe the ineffable mystery. With our limited consciousness
we must accept that any such description can only be metaphor,
only an approximation.
It is a way to bring balance and harmony into life. In the sephirot,
one can see where imbalances have developed, and can do 'pathwork'
or 'active imagination' rituals and exercises to bring balance.
For example, in dealings with the world, we can "use a
touch of Gevurah [judgement | discipline]
, and a touch of Chesed [mercy | generosity]
, to a point of Tiferet [beauty]"
which is what we present to others.
Kaballah is a tradition that requires great patience and stability.
It is a journey of small steps, gradual learning, and fundamental
changes. One of the reasons for this slow tempo is that everyone
has to mature their potential gradually, thoroughly, and at
a natural pace. In this way the student's work unfolds at the
right moment and at the right time.
Qabala is relatively new, though the notion that it is a reconstruction
of the lost knowledge of the ancients adds to its appeal. Some
say the 10 commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai are the
same ten Sephirot in the Tree of Life. Egypt is also included
in the patronage. Either way, it is a valid and engaging meditation
device.
Yet another way of seeing the Tree is as a way to describe "God."
It's well known that our minds are incapable of defining or
describing "God," so the Etz Chaim begins to provide
a glimpse, or a map, of that mystery we want to know and contemplate.
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