The Hermetic Qabalah by Paul A. Clark

Author:Paul A. Clark [Clark, Paul A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Body; Mind & Spirit, Occultism, Mysticism, Religion, metaphysical, spiritual
ISBN: 9780971046917
Google: OYOnMQEACAAJ
Amazon: 0971046913
Publisher: Fraternity of the Hidden Light
Published: 2012-08-05T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

The Beginning

Kether, the first Sephirah marks the beginning of positive existence. What is positive existence? Simply, it is all that has taken place since the beginning. If that sounds like we are talking in circles, perhaps that is because when discussing the beginning of existence, it is often necessary. Using a finite instrument like human consciousness to explain or understand an infinite subject, such as eternity, has its problems.

It might be useful to consider an evolutionary concept contained in the Vedas. According to the teachings of this ancient text, Brahma is said to have created the world with one out-breath. Later it is destroyed by the in-breath of Shiva. According to this teaching, existence has always alternated between cycles of expanding manifestation followed by those which contract. In other words, the Universe is breathed forth and then returns to its source. Hence, we may use the analogy of in and out breathing. This has a parallel in the Qabalah with its “Lightning Flash” of primary manifestation followed by the return to Kether, symbolized by the “Serpent of Wisdom.” If human consciousness, expresses in repeated cycles of manifestation, then so will God.

But, perhaps more interesting is the fact that modern physicists, with their theory of the Big Bang, seem to affirm these ancient doctrines. Although Physics is still trying to work out a few “kinks” in its theory, Ageless Wisdom perhaps long ago explained these problems and offered solutions. Let’s take a look at these explanations.

As we discussed in the Chapter on Qabalah and the Big Bang, there was a “previous ending” before the current beginning. All matter, substance, Cosmic “stuff” existed in one infinitely compact point called the Singularity by physicists and the “Primal or Smooth Point” by the Qabalist. Surrounding it was negative existence—not space, but the potential for space, the Void.

Kether is the point on the paper. Negative existence is the blank sheet of paper on which the point is about to be inscribed.

How was the Primal Point or Singularity created? Well, according to Qabalists, it was the focusing through a swirling activity that drew in negative existence, or all that went before, in a prior cycle of manifestation. This negative existence was said to have three basic characteristics.

It was limitless, it had infinite potential, and from it all was derived. Poetically, these characteristics may be expressed as:

AIN, Ain – no-thing (infinite potential);

AIN SUPh, Ain Soph – No-limit – (boundless);

AIN SUPh AUR, Ain Soph Aur – Limitless Light, the basic substance of everything.

This “Limitless Light” spiraled tighter and tighter, driven by the singular force of gravity, into one smooth point. Kether was born.

When the Primal Point reached a critical mass, a great explosion released its energy and positive existence was born. The “Rashith ha-Galgalim” or “The Beginning of the Whirlings” came into being and continues to this day.

That first impulse of the Cosmic Will to create is the root of all subsequent activity, from the manifestation of galaxies to the spin of electrons and beyond. By referencing

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