 Introduction Or Ein Sof ("God's Infinite Light") Sod Ha'Tzimtzum ("The Secret of 'Contraction'") Adam Kadmon ("Primordial Man") Akudim, Nekudim, Brudim ("Binding, Points, Connection") Keter D'Atzilut ("The 'Crown' of Emanation") Olam Ha'Atzilut ("The World of Emanation") ABiYA (The Four Worlds: Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, Asiyah) |
Introduction
Before creation only God existed. Upon desiring to create independent reality and consciousness, He first revealed, to Himself, as it were, His Infinite Light. From this stage on, Kabbalah's understanding of creation is enormously complex and is not something that can be covered in detail in an introductory text. The various stages of creation are often called "worlds"–a term which is used to denote various developments in the creative process, as well as levels of consciousness and spiritual phases.
- Or Ein Sof ("God's Infinite Light")
- Ten stages of God's Infinite Light before the beginning of the creative process.
- Sod Ha'Tzimtzum ("The Secret of 'Contraction'")
- Three stages of the secret of "contraction": the "removal" of God's Infinite Light; the "impression" that God "withdrew" from creation; the "ray" of Divine light radiated into the primordial darkness.
- Adam Kadmon ("Primordial Man")
- Two stages of Adam Kadmon: God's specific will and plan to emanate the "worlds"; the lights that are emanated from the "ears," "nose," "mouth" of Adam Kadmon.
- Akudim, Nekudim, Brudim ("Binding, Points, Connection")
- Three stages of "lights" and "vessels" resulting from the lights which emanated from Adom Kadmon.
- Keter D'Atzilut ("The 'Crown' of Emanation")
- Eight stages of the rectification process of the world of Atzilut which begins with the rectification of its "crown."
- Olam Ha'Atzilut ("The World of Emanation")
- Ten stages (partzufim–figures) of the world of Atzilut–exclusive consciousness of Divine unity.
- ABiYA (The Four Worlds: Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, Asiyah)
- Four stages ("worlds") which emerge out of God's infinite light and culminate in our finite physical universe.
