Hidden Mysteries of Kabbalah
There are numerous ways to address the meaning of life. One of the most wonderful and mysterious, taught for millennia in very small and select circles of understanding students, is Kabbalah. Kabbalah, because it offers the practical keys to open the locked doors of the Bible, demands of its guardians the utmost restraint and modesty in revelation. The Bible is the greatest and most comprehensive book of Kabbalistic wisdom. Every sentence of the Old Testament was written and inspired by great scholars and masters of life. Every word is counted, every single letter has its fundamental meaning, for God created the world according to the Law of the Torah. A few Kabbalistic books can still be found today in libraries, but they are usually very difficult to find.
Only a few authentic writings are available that have been translated into English. For this reason, this little guide to the Kabbalistic tradition thrusts a mystical map into the hands of the interested seeker. Depending on the skill of the person walking the path, this map can lead to the innermost treasures and the highest levels of wisdom. However, it can also be misused and lead the mind into the darkest labyrinth of misconceptions and madness. This book can only be understood as a guide, for it does not seek to compare itself with the great writings of the Kabbalah, nor with the glorious splendor of the Bible. Nevertheless, it is here that one can find insight to unravel the hidden message of these enigmatic masterpieces of the Kabbalah. Kabbalah uses a special metaphorical language. The Kabbalah religion belief system extends its esoteric roots into the very fabric of existence, intertwining with the core tenets of spirituality and offering a profound framework for understanding the divine. In the realm of faith and mysticism, Kabbalah in Christianity presents a unique perspective, merging ancient Jewish mystical practices with Christian thought to enhance a deeper spiritual connection and insight.
Ancient Tradition of Kabbalah
For thousands of years, true Kabbalists have had more insight into creation, the cause of all being, than profane science, which derives its knowledge from limited empiricism. The profane approach of today’s exoteric natural sciences is unable to grasp the true interaction of microcosm and macrocosm, human being and environment. Kabbalah provides a system for classifying the worlds and planes that precede material plane phenomena. Many outstanding and serious scientists of the modern era have studied Kabbalah, most notably the Nobel laureate and brilliant discoverer of the theory of relativity, Albert Einstein. He believed that the degree to which a person is free from selfishness, and the means by which he achieves this, defines his true worth. This altruistic attitude is particularly conveyed in the teachings of the Kabbalah. It is extremely rare for the average person to be exposed to Kabbalah, unless it is in a profane form such as we often find today. Since there are few serious writings available, it is even more difficult to find quality Kabbalistic literature in a standard bookstore. Here, scientific, university-like treatises are tempting, but they look only at the superficial appearance and miss the true essence of Kabbalah. The same is true of sober historical analyses and references. They poison the inquisitive mind and distract from the true purpose of Kabbalah. Kabbalistic terminology frightens the layman. It makes it difficult for the interested person to enter this royal science for the first time.
Although some Kabbalistic writings have been known for only 2000 years, the tradition is much older. In the Old Testament, Abraham is described as one of the great prophets. Oral tradition reports that he received and passed on certain aspects of the Kabbalah. This tradition is concealed within the Biblical writings. It is impossible to receive the light of the Bible without Kabbalistic training. Even Jesus, to whom the major New Testament works are dedicated, is attributed clear Kabbalistic statements. The Lord’s Prayer is in accordance with the rules and assignments of the Tree of Life, one of the most important glyphs of the Kabbalah. Kabbalistic education is multifaceted. It includes both theoretical and practical training. In theory, one learns the background of the mysticism of numbers, the theory of letters, the spheres, the worlds and Creation. If the aspiring student is ready, he receives the basics of these theories, but only if he has shown perseverance and has fulfilled the ethical requirement, he may come into contact with the practical side of Kabbalah. This includes methods of meditation, prayer, and Theurgy. Thus, the student is gradually prepared to become receptive. His personality is corrected so that he can participate in meditation. Only when this condition is created is he suitable for the higher levels of Kabbalah.
Practical Kabbalah
Practical Kabbalah requires that the student master the art of meditation, for creation is a process of meditation that takes place in the mind of God. Then the student is truly receptive to the teaching. “Receptive” in Hebrew is “KIBEL”, this is the language root of “KABBALAH”, of the tradition given from mouth to ear. Therefore, there is a need for someone to reveal the teaching, and there is also a need for someone to receive the teaching. The Revealer of these mysteries is God. Often, God’s Word works through His instruments who serve as a bridge. These are the high initiates of the Kabbalah. Everything depends on the Divine Will. If it is God’s will that the student receive certain areas of the Kabbalistic tradition, then it will happen. That student will meet a teacher who will reveal to him those laws for which he is ready to receive them. This is a multilayered process. Even if he imagines that he gains this knowledge of his own accord, it still comes from a higher source. This knowledge is always present at a transpersonal level. God in His wisdom and understanding potential is always omnipresent. All knowledge that ever was, is, or will be is present.
(Excerpt from the Book “THE TREE OF LIFE: KABBALAH OF IMMORTALITY” by Elias Rubenstein)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
KABBALAH – RECEIVED
THE TREE OF LIFE
THE TEN EMANATIONS
MALKUTH – KINGDOM – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SPLENDOR
YESOD – FOUNDATION – THE AWARENESS OF PURITY
HOD – SPLENDOR – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF PERFECTION
NETZACH – VICTORY – THE AWARENESS OF THE HIDDEN
TIPHARETH – BEAUTY – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF MEDIATION
GEBURAH – POWER – THE AWARENESS OF THE ROOT
CHESED – MERCY – THE AWARENESS OF RECEIVING
BINAH – UNDERSTANDING – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF HOLINESS
CHOKMAH – WISDOM – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF ENLIGHTENMENT
DAATH
22 CONNECTING PATHS
PATH 31 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF CONTINUITY
PATH 30 – THE COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS
PATH 29 – THE CORPEREAL CONSCIOUSNESS
PATH 28 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF NATURE
PATH 27 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF ACTIVITY
PATH 26 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF RENEWAL
PATH 25 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF TESTING
PATH 24 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF CREATION
PATH 23 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF STABILITY
PATH 22 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF FAITH
PATH 21 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF ASPIRATION
PATH 20 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE WILL
PATH 19 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE SECRET OF ALL SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES
PATH 18 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE HOUSE OF INFLUENCE
PATH 17 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF DISPOSAL
PATH 16 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF TRIUMPH
PATH 15 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF CONSTITUTION
PATH 14 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF LIGHT
PATH 13 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF UNIFICATION
PATH 12 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF TRANSPARENCY
PATH 11 – THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF RADIANCE
