KABBALAHKABBALAHNO SINGLE TEXT
Not like the Bible or Koran
Ancient and Classical
ManuscriptsThe Book of Creation (Sefer Yetzirah) The Book of the Splendor (Sefer ha-Zohar)
The ZoharThe Mystery of the Chariot (Ma’aseh
Merkabah)The Mystery of the Beginning (Ma’aseh
Bereshit)The Book of the Brightness (Sefer ha-Bahir)
The Book of the Angel (Sefer Raziel)Life in the World to Come (Chayye Olam Ha
Ba)
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Kabbalah or QabbalahKabbalah or Qabbalah
Kabbalah comes from the Hebrew word QBLH (there are no vowels in the language), which is derived from the root QBL, meaning “to receive,” but with the nuance “to correspond” in a manner that is “face to face”—as Moses received from God, and communicated with God face to face, such that his face “shone” from the experience. (Exodus 34:29)
Origin of KabbalahOrigin of KabbalahLegend holds that Kabbalah was first taught by
God to a select group of angels. Then, after the fall of the angels, Kabbalah was
taught to humans—many of whom were fallen angels.
The wisdom was then passed down via Adam, Enoch, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, Elijah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
It traveled from Eden to Egypt, the ancient land of mysteries. Here the knowledge spread beyond the initial group to many others, including non-Jews, who made it their own, adding their perspectives and experiences to the wisdom. This may have been the origin of Hermeticism, Gnosticism, and Neo-Platonism.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and
there was light.”Genesis 1:1-3
GODGODAnd CreationAnd Creation
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
““Ein Sof” = Infinite EternalEin Sof” = Infinite Eternal
GODGODAnd CreationAnd Creation
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
““Ein Sof” = Infinite EternalEin Sof” = Infinite Eternal
According to Kabbalah, God, being perfect, needed to withdrawal to a hidden “empty place” in order for the evolving creation to progress freely—because it would contain imperfections and mistakes would occurred. Since God is perfect—needed to withdraw.
The LogosThe Logos
adam ha-kadmoni means “the original being”Adam Kadmon
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
The Prototype or Ideal of a The Prototype or Ideal of a “Being”“Being”
Infinite Eternal (ein sof) conceives the prototype of beingness.
“In the beginning was the Word [Logos], and the Logos was with God, and the Logos was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through this One; and without this One was not anything made that was made. In this One was life; and the life was the light of humanity. And the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness overcomes it not.” –John 1:1-5
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
The Prototype or Ideal of a The Prototype or Ideal of a “Being”“Being”
The LogosThe Logos
Edgar Cayce 987-4Edgar Cayce 987-4
Each soul seeks expression. And as it moves through the mental associations and attributes in the surrounding environs, it gives out that which becomes either for selfish reactions of its own ego or for the I am to be at-one with the Great I AM THAT I AM.
Edgar Cayce 262-86Edgar Cayce 262-86
“When you say Creative Force, God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Abba, what do you mean? In the various phases of your own consciousness—or of those who in their activities seek, as you (if you seek aright)—seek to be one with Him yet to know self to be self, I am, in and with the GREAT I AM.”
Origins — Genesis & Origins — Genesis & CayceCayce
Q: Would the history of the Jewish race from Abraham to Jesus parallel the development of the embryo from conception to birth?
A: Rather would the history of man from Noah to Abraham; while that from Abraham to Christ would be the mental unfoldment of the body. For, that which leads to the Christ (christos, mashiach, logos) is the mind. And the mind’s unfoldment may be that indicated from Abraham to the Christ. –EC 281-63“death of the son of man as a man”
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful Living
The 4 Planes of Existence
The Zohar provides a map of four planes of conscious-ness. We traverse these planes in our soul-growth journeys. Our soul experiences life on these planes. We may even have flashes of these four planes.
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
1
2
3
4
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living
The 3 Triads and 4 The 3 Triads and 4 Planes “co-relate”Planes “co-relate”
to the Humanto the HumanBody-Mind connection.Body-Mind connection.
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
The Infinite Eternal is hidden.
The Logos orOriginal Beingis the “Beingness”of the HiddenInfinite Eternal
5
Lurianic Kabbalism
“God stands in the congregation of God; He judges among the gods. I said, ‘You are gods. All of you are sons and daughters of the Most High. Nevertheless you shall die like men and women, and fall like one of the princes and princesses.’”
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful Living
The The PlanesPlanes
Psalm 82Psalm 82
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living
1.1. Spirit Being Spirit Being (Yechidah)(Yechidah)
2.2. Spirit Mind Spirit Mind (Chayah)(Chayah)
3.3. Soul Being Soul Being (Neshamah)(Neshamah)
4.4. Soul Mind Soul Mind (Ruach)(Ruach)
5.5. Living Being Living Being (Nefesh)(Nefesh)
5 Divisions of Our Being
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living
1.1. Spirit Being Spirit Being godly selfgodly self
2.2. Spirit Mind Spirit Mind super conscioussuper conscious
3.3. Soul Being Soul Being true individualtrue individual
4.4. Soul Mind Soul Mind subconscioussubconscious
5.5. Living Being Living Being outer self and outer self and conscious mindconscious mind
5 Divisions of Our Being
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living
1.1. Spirit Being Spirit Being godly selfgodly self
2.2. Spirit Mind Spirit Mind super conscioussuper conscious
3.3. Soul Being Soul Being true individualtrue individual
4.4. Soul Mind Soul Mind subconscioussubconscious
5.5. Living Being Living Being outer self and outer self and conscious mindconscious mind
5 Divisions of Our Being
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
They are one!They are one!
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living5 Divisions of Our Being
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
In the metaphor of the glassblower, the essence of the artist is our highest level of being. The entity that is the glassblower is the next level. The breath of the glassblower is the third level. The expressed breath of the glassblower through the pipe that forms the glass object in the next level. And finally, the breath inside the object is the last level of our being.
The GlassblowerThe Glassblower
—from the Zohar
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
LivingThe Tree of Life
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
10 Emanations of GodThe Infinite Eternal (Ein
Sof) reveals its nature through ten emanations (Sefirot). These emanations reflect attributes that reveal the Divinity’s quality, energy, and consciousness. The Life Force of the Infinite Eternal flows from the hidden Creator throughout the observable creation in a specific pattern depicted in the Tree of Life.
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
LivingThe Tree of LifeDeeper Qualities
The Tree is like a map of the macrocosm of the universe and the microcosm within us. Our spiritual journey into existence and then our journey to reunion with the Creator follows the pattern in the Tree and its emanating orbs. Think of these emanations as metaphysical orbs of the Divine’s character, energy, and consciousness.
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
FatherMother
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Crown
Concealed Consciousness
Illuminating MindSanctifying Mind
Proverbs 4:5-9Proverbs 4:5-9“Get wisdom, get understanding. Forget
it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee. Love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee. She shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to your head an ornament of grace, a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
FatherMother
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Crown
Concealed Consciousness
Illuminating MindSanctifying Mind
MercyJudgment
Beauty
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Mindful of OthersTruth Minded
Mediating Mind
Foundation
Splendor Victory
Surrender Persistence
Remembrance!
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Focused MindPerfecting Mind
Purifying Mind
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Oneness Minded
KingdomFeminine
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living
The 3 Triads and 4 The 3 Triads and 4 Planes “co-relate”Planes “co-relate”
to the Humanto the HumanBody-Mind connection.Body-Mind connection.
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living
The 7 HeavensThe 7 Heavens
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
The mystic seeker ascends the seven heavens, in sequence, one after another, using meditative processes.“No one has ascended to heaven, but he/she who came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven.” –Jesus (John 3:13)
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
LivingThe 7 Heavens
States of Consciousness
A Shifting of Conditions (water)
Dimensions of Perception (dream)
“Feeling rather than seeing.” -EC Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Angels, Archangels, & Angels, Archangels, & DemonsDemonsSt. Augustine wrote, “Every
visible thing in this world is put under the charge of an angel.” Genesis Rabba (a Jewish commentary on the biblical Genesis) states, “There’s not a stalk on earth that has not its angel in heaven.” According to Psalm 91:11, “God has charged his angels to watch over you,” and Jesus confirms this in Matthew 4:11 and 26:53.
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful Living
Angels, Archangels, & Angels, Archangels, & DemonsDemons
In the Old Testament, Yahweh is called “the Lord of hosts;” hosts being the legions of angels. Psalm 82:1 states that “God stands in the Congregation of God; He judges among the gods.” Here the angels compose the congregation and are godlings within the one God.
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful Living
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Angels, Archangels, & Demons
First Trinity of ChoirsSeraphim “Beings of Fire”
Cherubim “Angels of Knowledge”Thrones “Bringers of Justice”
Second Trinity of ChoirsDominations (Dominions) “Angels of
Leadership” Virtues “Spirits of Motion”Powers “Warrior Angels”
Third Trinity of ChoirsPrincipalities “Hostility toward God”
Archangels “God’s Messengers”Angels “Guardian Angels”
The 9 Choirs of The 9 Choirs of AngelsAngels
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living
The Zohar gives us a wonderful transitional sense of moving from daily consciousness to heavenly consciousness by helping us understand the transition to sleep and even to death, then using the understanding of these natural transitions to generate a movement to higher consciousness using intentional meditative techniques.
Ecstasy
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
LivingThe Zohar also uses the metaphor of marriage between a man and a woman as a model for meditative attunement to God, using sexual terms to generate the ultimate sexual union. This is a classic concept dating back to ancient Asia using yin and yang as model for the union of these dualistic qualities to realize higher states of consciousness and the ecstasy union–reunion.
Ecstasy
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
Plato held that, deep down, eros love actually seeks transcendental beauty, but human beauty reminds one of that transcendent beauty.
This is a Gnostic Diagram with Kabbalah Numbers
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
LivingSpiritualize Body, Mind, and Soul
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
“The visions, the experiences, the names, the churches, the places, the dragons, the cities, all are but emblems of those forces that may war within the individual in its journey through the material, or from the entering into the material manifestation [i.e., physical body and world] to the entering into the glory, or the awakening in the spirit.” EC 281-16 on the Revelation
KABBALAHKABBALAHA Resource for Soulful
Living
Lurianic Kabbalists sought that emptiness to which God withdrew in order for the Creation to take place. They sought that “pure emptiness” (tehiru) that the Most High God, the Most Original Creator abides in.This pure emptiness is a common concept in deep meditation practices around the globe in many cultures and mystical schools.
Ecstasy
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken
KABBALAHKABBALAH
Edgar Cayce’sPassage in Passage in
ConsciousnessConsciousnessMethodMethod
Copyright 2010 © by John Van Auken