12/23/21, 10:57 PM Chakras and Sephirot

The Cabala and the Chakras

Something comes through and the challenge is using words. But

even though most of us have been misled and overly externalized
through the use of words and symbols from the "real thing, words
and intellect can also be placed in synergistic harmony (or
otherwise mesh) with non-dual Reality as long as balance, context
or perspective is maintained. Is that what wisdom is made from
(or is it love)?

The teacher (authority) is inside and all authentic spiritual

teachers reflect that and help us realize it. They await us in the
Heart (the Center of the Universe). We receive good feelings and
strength from those who speak and act from/in the Heart.

So here is a small dose of the Cabala (from Jewish mysticism), It

closely parallels the energy body system of yoga and attempts to
remedy the patriarchal and earth negative tendencies of orthodox
Judeo-Christian thought.

It is difficult to find much nature positive stuff in that

predominately patriarchal and "alien god" oriented system, but
yes if you know what you are searching for it is there, especially
it the marginalized traditions which were not "state" sanctioned.
This was true in both Judaism and Christianity. But like most
religions, a corruption has become institutionalized -- i.e., they
have left the garden and no longer allow for direct discourse with
God.

In the Cabala there indeed seems to be a system of

correspondences which parallels closely this requisite dynamic
inter-relationship between spirit and nature. It seems over
simplistic to solve the "problem" of embodiment (existence) by
advocating escape or withdrawal. The "trick", rather, seems to be
how to live a creative, loving, and fulfilling LIFE.

So the Cabala necessarily goes back to the feminine (Shekinah) in

order to re-establish balance and harmony and this relationship is
facilitated between Kether and Malkuth primarily.

The Kaballah is extraordinarily similar to the ancient Indian

system. Although originally an imbalanced patriarchal system,
the kaballah attempts to achieve balance through the emphasis
placed upon the idea of the Shekinah or female mate of God. This
is similar to the placement of Nature in relationship to that of
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Spirit, the differentiated as opposed to the undifferentiated, and/or

the resolution of the apparent dichotomy between earth and
heaven through the Intermediator of the divine human body,
Adam Kadmon (Quadmon), which is considered by the kaballists
to be the energetic template of the spiritual man (or embodied
spirit).

We will not go into the voluminous and specific teachings of the

kaballah (written mostly in Hebrew and Aramaic) and its most
eloquent and "authoritative book, "the Zohar", here other than to
show how its chakra system (called the Tree of Life) relates
almost exactly to that of the Indian system.

The tree of life can be equivocated to that of the energy body

connected by the psychic channels (called nadis in Sanskrit). On
top is Ayin -- nothingness -- the unlimited, undifferentiated
infinity. On the bottom is Shekinah, differentiated reality, Divine
immanence, or Everything. On the very top above the tree of life
resides Ayin, which is male, God, and Spirit while at the very
bottom below the tree resides Shekinah, which is female, earth,
and great abundance. The template is the Uniter, channel, temple,
vehicle, and Intermediator,

On top of the tree of life proper is Kether (the crown) which lies
directly below Ayin and represents pure divine will. This is the
equivalent to Sahasrara chakra.

Next is Hokmah, or the wisdom point, which is the equivalent to

ajna chakra. Then Binah (understanding) at the throat center or
vishuddi chakra.

The heart chakra (anahat) is a combination of Gevurah or justice

(symbolized by the left arm and red in color) and Chessed (love
and grace) symbolized by the right arm and the color, white.

The manipura (jewelled center) chakra at the navel corresponds to

Tifferet or beauteous splendour which corresponds to the sun in
kaballah and the fire element in yoga.

Below Tifferet (splendour) is Yesod which is the generative,

seminal, and sexual center which is linked to Tifferet above both
directly and through Hod and Netsah.

The root chakra (muladhara in Sanskrit) equates to Malkuth of the

Kaballah where the Shekinah can enter. It is said that the secret of
fulfilling the mizvot (the epitome of all good deeds) is the
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mending of all the worlds and drawing forth the emanation from
above thus balancing Shekinah with Ayin Soph.

To recapitulate the equivalencies:

Hebrew Sanskrit
Kether sahasrara chakra
Hokmah ajna chakra
Binah vishuddi chakra
Gevurah/Chessed anahat chakra
Tifferet manipura chakra
Yesod swadhistana chakra
Malkuth muladhara chakra

In addition the two cabalistic centers, Hod and Netsah, assist the
connection between the lower two chakras (Yesod and Malkuth)
and Tifferet. The Kaballah and Zohar is a rich literary source
along this vein and this short introductory is by no means
complete other than to show a corresponding western tradition
which found itself in a patriarchal and sterile morass, but which
freed itself through the formation of the idea of balance through
honoring the Shekinah.

The ten spiritual centers in Hebrew are called Sephirot instead of

chakras and are related to the major arcana of the tarot (a scan be
found in many books on the subject).
BACK to Ongwhehonwhe Home

To Heartmind Yoga Pages

The Long Body: Portal to Earth Based Spirituality (includes "TWO

TREES" by W. B. Yeats)

Indigenous Legends of Sacred Trees and Dragons

The Sacred Tree by Brain Bates

Energy and Chakra Healing (primarily utilizing yogic, Chinese,

shamanistic, and Huna approaches)

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