First there was Nothing, AIN.

Then there was No limit, limitless expansion, AIN SOPH.

And there was Limitless light, the Absolute, AIN SOPH AUR.

There was Space and Time.

The four planes come into existence, each of increasing density.

Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah and Assiah are formed.

Within each plane, there is a Tree of Life.

Each Tree of Life consists of 10 Sephiroth.

The realms of Kether, Chokmah, Binah, Chesed, Geburah, Tiphereth, Netzach, Hod, Yesod and Malkuth are formed.

Each 'realm' is of increasing density as it descends.

Kether or Crown is the androgyne potency.

It is the masculine potency and feminine potency.

From Kether, arise Chokmah and Binah.

Chokmah or Wisdom is the masculine potency.

Binah or Understanding is the feminine potency.

Chesed or Mercy is a reflection of Chokmah, the masculine potency.

It is the world of 'Atma', the world of 3-dimensions.

Geburah or Strength is a reflection of Binah, the feminine potency.

It is the world of 'Buddhi', Discrimination.

Tiphereth or Beauty is the union of Chesed and Geburah.

Mercy and Strength unite into Beauty.

It is the world of the 'Causal Body' or Consciousness.

Netzach or Victory is a reflection of Chesed, the masculine potency.

It is the world of 'Lower Mental Body', Intellect.

Hod or Splendor is a reflection of Geburah, the feminine potency.

It is the world of 'Astral Body', Sensations.

Yesod or Foundation is the union of Netzach and Hod.

Victory and Splendor unite to create the Foundation for a physical existence.

It is the world of 'Ether Body', the body which acts as a Mould for the Physical Body.

Malkuth or Kingdom is the physical manifestation of the Lower Self.

It is the world of the 'Physical Body', the 'Personality'.

Path 22, joining Yesod and Malkuth, is called 'Tau'.

This path represents the cycle of 'birth and death'.

The Ether body acts as the mould for the Physical body.

The Personality comes into 'Being' and collects experiences.

Path 21, joining Malkuth and Hod, is called 'Shin'.

On this path, the Personality learns to experience sensations and feelings.

Path 20, joining Hod and Yesod, is called 'Resh'.

On this path, the Astral Body acts upon the Ether Body, and through it, upon the Physical Body.

This is how the Personality 'feels' the 'sensations'.

Path 19, joining Malkuth and Netzach, is called Qoph.

On this path, the Personality learns rational thinking and develops intellectual capacity.

Path 18, joining Netzach and Yesod, is called Tzaddi.

On this path, the Lower Mental Body acts upon the Ether body, and through it, upon the Physical Body.

This is how the Personality 'perceives' its 'thoughts'.

Path 17, joining Netzach and Hod, is called Pe.

On this path, the Lower Mental Body and Astral Body act upon each other and influence each other.

This is how our thoughts have the capacity to change our feelings, and our feelings have the capacity to change our thoughts.

Path 16, joining Hod and Tiphereth, is called Ayin.

The Consciousness resides in Tiphereth.

On this path, the 'higher vibrating sensations' from the Astral Body are assimilated by the Consciousness as devotional emotions.

The Consciousness is tested on the Astral plane.

The result is Splendor.

Path 15, joining Tiphereth and Yesod, is called Samekh.

On this path, the devotional emotions are conveyed from the Consciousness to the Ether Body.

This has an affect on the Personality.

Path 14, joining Netzach and Tiphereth, is called Nun.

On this path, the 'higher vibrating thoughts' from the Lower Mental Body are assimilated by the Consciousness as knowledge.

The Consciousness is tested on the Lower Mental plane.

The result is Victory.

Path 13, joining Hod and Geburah, is called Mem.

On this path, the devotional emotions from the Astral Body rend the 'habit seeds' in the Buddhi.

Path 12, joining Geburah and Tiphereth, is called Lamed.

On this path, the Discrimination of the Buddhi restores balance in the Consciousness.

The Consciousness acts with Strength.

Path 11, joining Netzach and Chesed, is called Kaph.

On this path, the rational knowledge of the Lower Mental Body gives way to esoteric knowledge in Atma.

Path 10, joining Chesed and Tiphereth, is called Yod.

On this path, the esoteric knowledge of Atma is conveyed to the Consciousness.

The Consciousness acts with Mercy.

Path 9, joining Chesed and Geburah, is called Teth.

On this path, Atma and Buddhi act upon each other and influence each other.

This is how esoteric knowledge and devotional emotion influence each other.

Path 8, joining Geburah and Binah, is called Cheth.

On this path, Devotion is transformed into Understanding.

The Discrimination of Buddhi is transformed into Intelligent Love of the feminine potency.

Path 7, joining Binah and Tiphereth, is called Zayin.

On this path, the Intelligent Love is conveyed to the Consciousness.

The Consciousness is tested on the Buddhic plane.

The result is Understanding.

Path 6, joining Chesed and Chokmah, is called Vau.

On this path, Esoteric Knowlegde is transformed to Wisdom.

The Intelligent Will of the masculine potency manifests itself.

Path 5, joining Chokmah and Tiphereth, is called He.

On this path, the Intelligent Will is conveyed to the Consciousness.

The Consciousness is tested on the Atmic plane.

The result is Wisdom.

Path 4, joining Chokmah and Binah, is called Daleth.

On this path, Wisdom and Understanding act upon each other and influence each other.

This is how Wisdom helps to Understand and Understanding enhances Wisdom.

Path 3, joining Tiphereth and Kether, is called Gimel.

On this path, the Consciousness possesses Intellegient Love and Intelligent Will and achieves Androgyne potency.

The Consciousness crosses over the Abyss and returns home.

Path 2, joining Binah and Kether, is called Beth.

On this path, the feminine potency returns home.

Path 1, joining Chokmah and Kether, is called Aleph.

On this path, the masculine potency returns home.

The key stages of project management include initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure of the project.

Similar principles can be seen in the creation of the universe.

The origin of the universe is symbolized by 10 numbers.

These are the 10 Sephiroth.

Kether, Chokmah and Binah form the first Trinity.

Kether is the first emanation.

Chokmah is the masculine active potency.

Binah is the feminine passive potency.

The first Trinity forms the formless world, the world of initiation and planning.

Chesed, Geburah and Tiphereth form the second Trinity.

Chesed is the masculine active potency.

Geburah is the feminine passive potency.

Tiphereth is the uniting sephira which joins them.

The divine plan is executed in Chesed and Geburah, while Tiphereth is the balancing sephira.

Netzach, Hod and Yesod form the third Trinity.

Netzach is the masculine active potency.

Hod is the feminine passive potency.

Yesod is the uniting sephira which joins them.

The divine plan is further executed in Netzach and Hod, while Yesod is the balancing sephira.

Malkuth is the final sephira where the divine plan receives closure.

The Tree of Life can be divided into 3 vertical pillars.

All sephiroth belonging to any one particular pillar share particular characteristics.

The Pillar of Mercy represents the Pingala nadi, the masculine energy.

It is composed of Chokmah, Chesed and Netzach.

Chokmah is the sphere of Yang, the highest aspect of the masculine.

The Pillar of Severity represents the Ida nadi, the feminine energy.

It is composed of Binah, Geburah and Hod.

Binah is the sphere of Yin, the highest aspect of the feminine.

The Pillar of Balance represents the Sushumna nadi.

It is composed of Kether, Tiphereth, Yesod and Malkuth.

It represents the balance between the male and female pillars.

The concept of Worlds denotes the emanation of creative life force from Ain Soph (No limit) to Assiah (the finite world).

Ain is Nothing. The potential existence.

Ain Soph is No limit. This is limitless expansion.

Ain Soph Aur is Limitless Light. This is the Absolute, the Universe.

Atziluth is the world of Emanation. The light is still united with its source. Therefore, there is no sense of self-existence. The 'Wisdom' of Chokmah dominates.

Briah is the world of Creation. There is sense of self-existence. The 'Understanding' of Binah dominates.

Yetzirah is the world of Formation. The being assumes shape and form. The burning consummation in Divine emotion of 'Chesed to Yesod' dominate.

Assiah is the world of Action. The creation is complete, differentiated and particular. The Divine vitality is concealed and diminished.

(The Assiah is also a spiritual realm, with the last two Sephiroth channeling life force into the Physical realm).

There are twenty-two paths on the Tree of Life.

These are the twenty two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

There are three mother letters referring to the Elements, seven double letters referring to the planets, and twelve single letters referring to the Zodiac.

Each path signifies a hieroglyphical idea, leading from one sephira to another.

The journey along the Tree of Life teaches us how we can reunite with the Divine Light.

At the cosmic level, a 'Tree of Life' is contained in each realm.

On the path of 'Involution', life descends from the topmost world in Atziluth to the lowermost world in Assiah.

Life descends from the 'Formless' World to the 'Material' World.

On the path of 'Evolution', life ascends from the lowermost world in Assiah to the topmost world in Atziluth.

Life ascends from the 'Material' World to the 'Formless' World.

Thus, angels descend and ascend on Jacob's ladder which rests on earth and rises up to heaven.

This is the 'Circle of Life'.

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The four Cosmic realms are:

• Atziluth: The Archetypal World

This is the Causal plane of the Cosmic Life.

It is the world of emanations.

It is a world of pure spirit.

It's element is Fire.

• Briah: The Creative World

This is the Mental plane of the Cosmic Life.

It is the world of ideas.

It is the world of pure abstract intellect.

It's element is Water.

• Yetzirah: The Formative World

This is the Astral plane of the Cosmic Life.

It is the world of formation.

It is a sphere of the collective unconscious, the Anima Mundi.

It's element is Air.

• Assiah: The Material World

This is the Physical plane of the Cosmic Life.

It is the world of effects.

It is the world of the body and the senses, objects and matter.

It's element is Earth.

The Cosmic Physical realm (Assiah) is the Material world.

Note: The Physical Material world is made of matter.

Even the formless worlds in this realm are 'relatively formless'.

The microcosm is a reflection of the macrocosm.

Each of the four cosmic planes are represented on a smaller scale on the material plane, Assiah.

The Archetypal world, Atziluth, is represented by Kether, Chokmah and Binah.

Kether is the point of non-duality.

Chokmah is the masculine force.

Binah is the feminine energy.

There is no form yet. These higher three spheres form the Formless World (relatively formless).

The Creative world, Briah, is represented by Chesed, Geburah and Tiphereth.

Chesed is the world of Atma or Intelligent Will.

Geburah is the world of Buddhi or discriminative capacity.

Tiphereth is the Causal world on the physical plane.

The Formative world, Yetzirah, is represented by Netzach, Hod and Yesod.

Netzach is the world of the Mental body or Intellect.

Hod is the world of the Astral body or Sensations.

Yesod is the world of the Ether body or Foundation.

The Material world, Assiah, is represented by Malkuth.

This is the world of physical sense objects and physical sense organs.

These lower seven worlds constitute the 'World of Form'.

The 'Formless World' and the 'World of Form' together constitute the 'Circle of Life'.

The Tree of Life consists of ten worlds or 'Sephiroth'.

These are the ten emanations by which life becomes manifest.

The Tree of Death consists of ten worlds or 'Qliphoth'.

These are the ten emanations on the reverse side of each of the sephiroth.

The Qliphoth are the shadow of the Sephiroth.

When the Sephiroth are not in balance, the forces of the Qliphoth are unleashed.

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Kether: Unity of God

This is the first and purest emanation of the divine.

It is represented by a point, the point of non-duality.

Note: During involution, the point of non-duality splits into two opposing polarities.

Thaumiel: The Dual Forces

These are the contending forces between two opposing polarities.

It is the principle which insists on separate reality of either pole, at the expense of the other.

It represents spiritual pride and arrogance.

Note: During evolution, the conflict is resolved and the contending forces are united, to a single point.

This is aided by Accomplishment of the Great Work.

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Chokmah: Overflowing divine vitality

It is the male aspect of Kether, and therefore it is called the Father.

It is the phallic, as yet unshaped force of creation.

It is the beginning of perception.

It is attached to reality and wisdom.

Note: During involution, misperception creates illusion.

Ghagiel: The Hindering Ones

It is the force that spreads confusion of the Power of God.

It is attached to lying and to material appearances.

It represents proud, unrestricted energy, too stubborn to be bound by the matrix of the mother.

Note: During evolution, right perception is achieved which dispels illusion.

This is aided by Devotion.

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Binah: Eternal Womb

It is the female aspect of Kether, and therefore it is called the Mother.

It is the receiver of the phallic energy.

It gives 'structure and form' to the vital forces.

Note: During involution, the essence of the form is veiled.

Sateriel: The Concealers

These forces aid in the formation of eternal, lifeless structure.

Matter is taken to be simply matter.

Note: During evolution, the veil is rendered.

This is aided by Silence.

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Chesed: Loving Kindness

The overflowing divine vitality is given shape and structure.

It is now ready to expand as the spiritual reflection of the Divine Will.

This is the world of Atma.

Note: During involution, the divine force spreads thin and breaks.

Gashklah: The Disturber

It represents misguided and imbalanced love.

It suffocates its object with borderless benevolence and tenderness.

Note: During evolution, there is extension of the Divine Will.

This is aided by Obedience.

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Geburah: Strength

It is the force that destroys the wicked, fights evil and injustice.

It takes away that which is unnecessary.

It represents the powers of restraint, severity, harshness, judgement.

This is the world of Buddhi.

Note: During involution, the force becomes destructive due to imbalance.

Golachab: The Flaming Ones

It burns that which should not be burned.

It seeks to maintain established structure of law at any cost.

Note: During evolution, there is concentration of the Divine Will.

This is aided by Energy.

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Tiphereth: Harmony

The different forces are here balanced.

It allows the forces of kindness and severity to work against each other, while stopping the forces from falling apart from each other.

It is the force which unveils beauty by Gnosis.

This is the world of Causal body.

Note: During involution, the different forces are not allowed to move freely and balance themselves, resulting in confusion.

Tageriron: The Hagglers

It is the force which causes strain and stress.

It conceals beauty.

It causes confusion of the heart and mind.

Note: During evolution, there is fusion of the mind and heart.

This is aided by Devotion to Great Work.

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Netzach: Victory

It represents the ability of raw, emotional, passionate energy to overcome obstacles.

This is the world of Mental body.

Note: During involution, the opposing forces of attraction and repulsion are fully expressed.

Gharab: The Corrosive Ones

These forces represent uncontrolled passion, desire, greed, covetousness, unbridled lust.

Note: During evolution, the opposing forces of attraction and repulsion are transcended.

This is aided by Unselfishness.

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Hod: Splendor

It is the force behind fluctuation.

The reflective objects sparkle and twinkle under rays of light.

It represents the fluidity and flexibility of the thinking mind.

This is the world of Astral body.

Note: During involution, the eyes are blinded and cannot look behind the radiating surface.

Samael: The Deceitful Ones

It is the beginning of illusion and deceit.

It represents fickleness, hesitation, lack of determination.

Lies, artfulness or beguilement cannot be seen.

Note: During evolution, the fluidity and flexibility of the thinking mind dispel illusion and deceit.

This is aided by Truthfulness.

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Yesod: Fundament

It represents fertility as the result of positive harmonization of forces.

All forces of existence pass from this point through the generative organs.

The forces of attraction and rejection take shape in all their diversity within creation.

This is the world of Ether body.

Note: During involution, it represents sexual urge which is never satisfied, demanding new and stronger stimuli, consuming vitality.

Gamaliel: The Obscene Ones

It represents distorted or destructive sense of fertility.

It collects all ideas from Netzach and Hod and stores these in the unconscious.

Note: During evolution, the force finds expression in Tiphereth, releasing the unhealthy sexual repression.

This is aided by Independence.

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Malkuth: Kingdom

It is the expression of all focussed and manifested powers in all nine Sephiroth above.

The forces of divine creation take shape.

This is the world of Physical body.

Note: During involution, all preceding emanations concentrate and materialize in 'one and many' at the same time.

Lilith: Queen of the Night

It is the expression of all focussed and manifested powers in all nine Qliphoth above.

Note: During evolution, all preceding emanations of the divine concentrate and materialize in a single point.

This is aided by Scepticism.

The Qabalah or the Tree of Life is the story of Involution and Evolution.

At the beginning, there was nothing.

Then there was an idea.

Then came space and time.

These are all conceptual. There is no form yet. This is the formless world (arupaloka).

Then the seven worlds of form (rupaloka) are born one after the other, each of increasing density.

The world of atma, buddhi, causal bodies, mental bodies, astral bodies, ether bodies, and physical bodies is formed.

This is the story of the Origin of Life. This is the story of the creation of the world. This is the process of Involution.

The tree consists of ten worlds. The higher three worlds are the worlds of concepts and ideas. The lower seven worlds are the physical worlds, the particles of which form our body. There are 22 paths which show us the way back to the origin.

Each individual follows his own path up from the world of forms to the formless worlds. It is an evoluntary process which follows the flow of life and every individual is a participant, willing or unwilling.

This is the process of Evolution.

Certain individuals may speed up the process of evolution voluntarily.

When the kundalini energy is unleashed, it gives enough strength to the individual to hasten the download of experiences.

This is a desirable process only when the individual is ready and under the guidance of a master. The disastrous results of unprepared investigators are well documented and therefore premature arousal of kundalini is forbidden.