The Way Seekers Group is one year old and currently transitioning into the next “phase” of its inquiry.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION? WHAT IS OUR OBJECTIVE? WHAT IS OUR WAY POINT? You can probably think of other ways and words to use to ask this most important of questions.
Let’s review what we have done. In Phase Zero (March 2020 – January 2021) we were meeting 3-4 times per week doing yoga and checking out the practice of meditation. We also looked at a few “maps of the territory.” We followed the Eight Limb Path of Yoga. We were introduced to the philosophy behind Vipassana and other meditation techniques. We took a look at the Kybalion. I have been posting about the weekly Torah Portions.
Our mission in phase zero was to awaken to the mind that seeks the way. Our mission in phase one has been to explore this mind that seeks the way. Phase Two in the Kabbalah map is named after the sefirot BINAH. Binah translates as UNDERSTANDING…… This is a very important step in the process. Phase zero is THE ALL. Incomprehensible yet ever present. Phase One (Chochma, Wisdom) is called the first expansion. It is described as the potential of the potential. Chochma has the ability to receive the totality of THE LIGHT yet has no desire to receive the Light for itself. It is like a passive container for The Light to empty into. In Phase Two we Awaken to the Reality that The Vessel and The Light are different. In fact, they are polar opposites. The Vessel’s purpose is to Receive and The Light Shares. In Binah we understand this and a new desire is awakened….The Desire to be like The Light….To Share. This phase is called the potential of the realization. It is also called the first exertion. So, what is our mission now? For a deeper dive read an essay by Michael Berg entitled “The Power of The Tetragrammaton. There are so many “rabbit holes” one can explore. In my opinion, this is one to at least become aware of and do a bit of inquiry. REMEMBER, it is ok not to “get it” fully or even a little bit. It is ok to start in confusion. Ya know how some people are just really good at fixing things. They are patient and calm and they don’t get frustrated when it takes a few different attempts or a different tool is required? And the rest of us have no idea where to start or get reactive when we can’t fix it? This is the attitude to cultivate when doing the spiritual work. A mindset; an attitude of curiosity and inquiry. Instilling Patience and Perserverance.
In Ten Luminous Emanations, Rav Ashlag teaches that there is a spiritual process through which all true Desire is created. The process consists of four phases: Chochmah, Binah, Zeir Anpin, and Malchut. He further explains that these four phases are represented in the four-letter name of God, Yud Hei Vav Hei, known as the Tetragrammaton. Yud Hei Vav Hei represents the totality of everything. There is not anything in the world that is not affected by it. Even the most physical objects and the most spiritual of Lights must go through the process of the Yud Hei Vav Hei. It is through this process that a true Desire to Receive the Light of the Creator (also known as a true Vessel) is created, and it is the singular process through which Light is revealed in the world.
“The Tetragrammaton represents the totality of everything.
Continue reading The 3rd ‘Step”; The 2nd ‘Phase’ →
