• Registered: 2004-03-25

Topic: Kabbalah - what is it?

Morning,

Due to various threads and discussions here on NR, I found myself drawn to learning something about Kabbalah other than just what is now presenting itself in main stream media (ie. Newsweek) due to its increased popularity -- possibly because of certain celebrities.

I found a book at BN called "The Power of Kabbalah" which lead me to look at the website of the kabbalah center.

This AM I found on crystallinks the following page:

http://www.crystalinks.com/kabala.html

Which shows the "Tree of Life" --

I found all of this quite interesting having studied intensively with Theun Mares - Toltec Nagal - whose book
"Cry of the Eagle" is extremely detailed regarding this "Tree of Life" from a Toltec perspective.  At the time, I really had no idea that what he was impartiing had its basis in the Kabbalah.  Although I'm sure Theun would say the Kabbalah had its basis in Toltec.  Which really doesn't matter ... the chicken or the egg.

Additionally, I think this is an interesting perspective on parallel universes ... I'm posted the link below.

http://www.kabbalah.com/kabbalah/course … allel.html

I'm approaching this hopefully with wide open eyes/heart because of my other knowledge about those in control of banking/media/entertainment.   "Power over" is completely antipathetic to the tenets of Kabbalah ... gives one pause.

Christine B.

  • From: terra incognita
  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

There is also this web page I found early last summer and poured over with great interest, that is once I got past my initial gut reaction to the appearance of the page, it appears a gacky chaotic mess to me... but I pushed past it, highlighted the text so it was on a white background doing so mostly because I'm a big fan of Buckminster Fuller.

The page is titled "The Diamond Body: Buckminster Fuller and the Qabala".

http://members.tripod.com/Sourceress/

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
------
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
------
If you spin around on your chair really fast, things around here will make a lot more sense.

lol
  • From: Saint Louis
  • Registered: 2004-08-21

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

You may want to check out "The Mystical Qabalah" by Dion Fortune. It is considered by many to be one of the best on the subject and a lot of more modern books have drawn from her work. She was an interesting woman, especially for her time (early 1900s) and her motivations seem to me to be a lot more pure than a lot of her contemporaries of that era, such as Crowley and the gang.

Keep in mind that the word Qabalah itself means 'from mouth to ear' and was originally only  taught by word of mouth to avoid corruption and the knowledge falling into the wrong hands. A lot has happened since then.

Stephen

  • From: terra incognita
  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

Stephen,

I went back and forth with myself since Christine posted this as to whether or not I wanted to include the web page I noted here not only because of the appearance of the page but also because of the Crowley quote.  I even deleted a part of my post making a disclaimer about the quote, myself not being a fan of Crowley, but I kinda thought that was nit-picking given the article is about Bucky Fulminster and not Crowley.

Given I'm far more interested in the mechanics/science/geometry of the Tree of Life, and as well for the sake of my education--did you read any "impure" information in the text of the article compared to other texts or articles you've read?

If so and you're able to outline this for me briefly to the end I can recognize the article as disinformation I will happily remove my post... I never want to be a source of disinformation because I am unwittingly being naive.

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
------
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
------
If you spin around on your chair really fast, things around here will make a lot more sense.

lol

5 Reply by aaronfirebrand

  • aaronfirebrand
  • Guest

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

I hesitated posting this because I don't wish to offend anyone here, but in my experience with mysticism, I learned one basic thing: Be Careful With This Stuff! I'm quite sensitive to these things and my instinct about kabbalah is "don't go there". I recommend reading the talmud (the jewish talmud is just a rewrite of the babylonian talmud). Get an idea of what jewish mysticism is really about before jumping in to kabbalah. It's being popularized for a reason; investigate before you proceed...
While you're looking at the talmud, compare its ugliness to the beauty found in the Koran if you have the chance.

6 Reply by Auendove (edited by Auendove 2004-08-30 14:36:33)

  • From: terra incognita
  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

Hi mr. 'fire!

Just so you know old wise one... I myself am not a Kabbalahist (kabbalahist? see, I don't even know how to write it right wink Snicker! Snort!), I assign myself to NO organized religion. I even found Metaphysical Chapels too organized and heirachial for my consciousness growth needs.  I have a Buddhist heart, but I don't belong to a Buddhist Temple nor actively practice religious Buddhism in my home, and I walk a Red Path in my consciousness inroads and outroads, but I don't call myself a Shaman; likewise I'm not drawn to practice or emulate the spiritual aspects of the Kabbalah. 

big_smile

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
------
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
------
If you spin around on your chair really fast, things around here will make a lot more sense.

lol

7 Reply by aaronfirebrand

  • aaronfirebrand
  • Guest

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

Are you Zen?

8 Reply by Auendove (edited by Auendove 2004-08-30 14:44:34)

  • From: terra incognita
  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

Now and zen I am. big_smile

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
------
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
------
If you spin around on your chair really fast, things around here will make a lot more sense.

lol

9 Reply by aaronfirebrand

  • aaronfirebrand
  • Guest

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

You Buddhists are so funny!

  • From: terra incognita
  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

But, but, but.... I just told you I wasn't a Buddhist.  I said I had a Buddhist heart.  My not being a Shaman would be much more interesting to not talk about anyway.

big_smile

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
------
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
------
If you spin around on your chair really fast, things around here will make a lot more sense.

lol

11 Reply by aaronfirebrand

  • aaronfirebrand
  • Guest

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

It seems like if you have a Buddhist Heart, you're a Buddhist. The inward reality is more viable than the outward. I just Had to bring up Zen, didn't I?
Here's my definition of Zen: "You have to want to hit the target.  You have to try to hit the target.  You can't Care if you hit the target."

  • From: terra incognita
  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

arronfirebrand wrote:

Here's my definition of Zen: "You have to want to hit the target.  You have to try to hit the target.  You can't Care if you hit the target."

Okay... I'm Zen, "now and then".  Good chance, I'm thinking, I've had another lifetime or two (or more) as a Buddhist and brought that "knowing" into this life expereince with me. 

ROTFLMAO!!  Can't wait to see what you'll do with that one!

big_smile

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
------
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
------
If you spin around on your chair really fast, things around here will make a lot more sense.

lol
  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

Auendove and Stephen - thanks for the links.  I don't know nearly enough about Kabbalah to determine if they are "true" or not...I'm just learning at this point. (sort of a response to Auendove about the validity of the site she quoted).

Arronfirebrand - I agree completely about the inherent "dangers" in mysticism primarily because there is such a human tendency to use what is learned as power over.

Don Juan was always warning against the "path of high adventure" ... entering into the other worlds in order to gain "power over"

From the little I've read about Kabbalah the same types of warnings are mentioned. And the little I've read has next to nothing about mystics doings and a great deal about compassion, charity and responsibility.

That said, I have a neighbor who is dabbling in Kabbalah and it's all the meditation, chants, Hebrew words, lots of mumbo-jumbo written by people mixing this and that.  I was surprised when I mentioned to him a basic tenet of Kabbalah ... that we are all aspects of the god-force ... and he was not at all interested.

As for your comment - "it's being popularized for a reason" - good point. 

Christine B.

  • From: terra incognita
  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

Christine,

I also went back and forth about whether or not the link belonged here or on the Physics and Alternative Science page, but then I would've had to try and be psuedo-scientific like... oye, and the left side of my brain just doesn't work like the right side.  It'd be awfully embarrassing to have my brains splattered all over the board for trying to think too hard. wink

And anyway, I'd just end up wanting to converse about gyroscopic particles again... big_smile, those 'lil guys having been peaking my interest for awhile now.

Christine B. wrote:

I was surprised when I mentioned to him a basic tenet of Kabbalah ... that we are all aspects of the god-force ... and he was not at all interested.

Kinda makes one wonder what's being taught and learned then, huh?

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
------
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
------
If you spin around on your chair really fast, things around here will make a lot more sense.

lol
  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: Kabbalah - what is it?

Auendove wrote:

Kinda makes one wonder what's being taught and learned then, huh?

Magic/magick, some Shamanistic things, aspects of Kabballah, etc., to me appeals to those who want the quick fix.  The over-the-top effect.  The weird and wonderful.  Possibly to escape what seems so dry and mundane ... or painful and unconfrontable.

Theun Mares warned in his book "Cry of the Eagle" about what happened to those who enter the other worlds (especially the world of sorcery) without all of the "keys" ... they are still there ... crumbled black ciders ...metaphorically.

Our age is a fix quick age.  Fix quick food (microwave), fix quick entertainment, fix quick phones, instant messaging.  Nearly everything is fast. 

One can take martial arts at any strip mall, join any type of metaphysical group etc...

A true study of the Kaballah would seem to necessitate a study of Hebrew -- which is no quick study.  A true study of martial arts takes a life time.

BUT ... all this said -- can we be so sure that any study of esoteric subjects, even if lightly approached or even initially for the "wrong reasons" (to beat the heck out of someone as a reason to start Karate) is bad?  If someone is going to become a true martial artist ... he will never fight.  No need. 

Kaballah's current broadly promoted appeal isn't the magic of it, I don't think,  but the "have a better life" aspect.  And, it's just really hard to fault that - and perhaps whatever work that is done will have an overall affect of helping to raise the group/mass consciousness. 

Christine B.