Michael
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Post by Michael on Dec 2, 2004 14:11:57 GMT
I'm sorry but I have read through the post on this page and I'm still not sure what Kabbala is or isn't.
I have found it quite irritating when this subject was raised on other sites and then deleted, it always left me wondering - so, could someone ( and please keep it at my level - simple) explain in less than a page what is Kabbala.
Thank you
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 7, 2004 18:17:09 GMT
Hubert,Whistler can you answer this
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Post by taylorsman on Dec 7, 2004 21:33:10 GMT
www.kabala.org/Try this , but putting the word in Google will bring you loads of references and websites.
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Post by whistler on Dec 8, 2004 0:58:59 GMT
If I was Jewish, and a lot wiser than I am I could give you a deeper more intelligent explanation But here is a collection of thoughts that may help you "The Kabbaiists believe that the transmission of the name of God from master to pupil is part of the rites of initiation. The newly-raised brother also receives a word in a certain manner, which is never used in normal conversation. Masonically, the ability of a freemason to recite the word and reproduce it as it was given to him are the identifying characteristics of a Master Mason" "The Hebrew alphabet has 32 letters, which also serve as numbers. Some Kabbalists manipulate words and numbers for explaining much about the universe and the works of God. The number 32 denotes the number of degrees in the Scottish Rite "The Kabbalists argue that there are 32 paths of widsom, which lead to knowledge about God" Michael My understanding is that through the study of the Linking of complex of words and numbers, it is possible to further understand the meanings and origins of our Life and develop a closer relationship with the creator. Please do not ask me for my interpretations, because I am stiill learnng, and accept for me it may take many a life time It is sufficent for me that the clues I have unravelled are very interesting _ I have an old lady friend well into her 90's who has made the Kabbalah, her life's study. She assures me that it provides her with all the answers she needs. The quotes above shows just how the Kabbalah and Freemasonry should be spoken about together The Holy Royal Arch Degree especially contains a lot of Kabbalist references, - No I will not tell you what they are , other than say it is a very special Masonic Degree It is good and proper to discuss the Kabbalah and Freemasonry, in doing so it is important to discuss it with the respect it deserves I have been away and thinking more about the answer. It may sound odd; I think it is a privilege to study the Kabbalah, and its secrets are revealed as one earns the right to see more
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Michael
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Post by Michael on Dec 8, 2004 7:10:35 GMT
Thank you both, at least I now have a starting point.
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 8, 2004 7:28:13 GMT
It IS good and proper to discuss FM and Kabbalah and you can buy such books in Great Queen St gift shop along with Alchemy and FM !
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on Dec 10, 2004 4:03:29 GMT
Michael, Whistler has given you some good starting points on a subject that is very involved and has many tentacles.
The basis of Kabbalism is the "Tree of Life" -a diagram that can be constructed using only a compass and no measurement. Principally 7 equal circles that touch each other (6 arround a central 1) On this the 10 sephiroh can be drawn. 7 of these can be constructed over one another to form Jacobs' Ladder. Associated with the Tree, there are 22 pathways linking the sephiroh, each related to one letter of the Hebrew alphabet, but also to each of the 22 cards in the Major Arcna of the TAROT.
In brief "GOD" sent down a thunderbolt from heaven thru' the trees and created MAN, whose aim is to climb Jacobs' Ladder thru' the 7 trees and attain "Nirvana"
There are plenty of books available on the subject.
Cheers Hubert.
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Michael
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Post by Michael on Dec 10, 2004 8:12:42 GMT
Hubert, Many thanks; just out of curiosity does kabbala actually link in with 'known' history?
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 12, 2004 17:36:08 GMT
Hubert wrote .......TEXThe Kabbalists argue that there are 32 paths of widsom, which lead to knowledge about God"TEXT
So where does 33 link in.
there are 33 degrees in masonry
Jesus was 33 when he was crucified
33 degree lines feature prominently thoughout masonry.
Hubert,by the way : WHAT A SUPER POST YOU GAVE most enlightening
Any others ??
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on Dec 13, 2004 4:48:50 GMT
Staffs, I think the 32 paths mentioned was by Whistler. I Know of 22 linking to the tarot & Kabbalah., I need to do further study on the 32, but it strikes me that the 33rd must be the individual himself, for having achieved the 32 pathways or tasks, the one remaining is with oneself!
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Michael
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Post by Michael on Dec 13, 2004 8:48:17 GMT
Hubert,
This may well tie in with Yoki's thread - Is God-Goddess the eureka factor - but I will leave it to the better informed to tell me if that is correct.
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Post by leonardo on Dec 15, 2004 20:49:17 GMT
A great part of this is explained in the book Talisman. The Kabala Tree, etc.
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 16, 2004 6:35:29 GMT
Does anyone have a link to the diagram of the tree of life that can be put here ??
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Post by leonardo on Dec 16, 2004 9:11:05 GMT
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Post by taylorsman on Dec 16, 2004 9:39:56 GMT
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Post by leonardo on Dec 16, 2004 10:47:02 GMT
Steve, the one your link take us to is the same as the one illustrated in Talisman. Nice one
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 16, 2004 16:36:28 GMT
Thank you Leo and Steve.
A very interesting site and i might even try a bit of Astral Projection
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 24, 2004 15:23:33 GMT
Into this mysterious universe we are born, with no apparent set of instructions, no maps or equations, no signs or guideposts, nothing but our equally unfathomable instincts, intuitions, and reasoning abilities to tell us where we came from, why we are here, and what we are supposed to do. What we do possess - perhaps it the key to our survival as a species - is an almost unquenchable need to know. A human being comes into this world with a passionate sense of wonder and inquisitiveness and an equally powerful need for self expression. Yet, somehow these seemingly indelible primal imperatives become eroded, as a rule, after only a few years exposure to modern reality and contemporary educational methods.
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Post by corab on May 30, 2005 11:02:53 GMT
Michael,
I gave a short lecture on the Qabalah to my local moot some years ago - could send you it in PDF?
One book I'd definitely recommend is C.J.M. Hopking's The Practical Kaballah Guidebook - it helps to put things in perspective.
Cora
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Post by sid on Jun 8, 2005 2:14:16 GMT
Greetings Mike, I found the writings of Carlos Suares the clearest, and the easyest to understand but this is perhaps a matter of personal taste i.e., others may prefer groups like B.O.T.A. etc. www.psyche.com/psyche/psyche.htmlI'm not sure if this is an 'official' website regarding the work of Suares but I thought it would be of some help in the answering of some of your questions. Also has an interesting section on the tarot. Personally, I find it very unfortunate that there is so little information if anything, about the Arabic Kabballa. Does anyone, perhaps have any information at all about the Arabic sources of wisdom? It certainly appears to have been sorely neglected over the centuries. Hope this helps. Regards, Sid I'm sorry but I have read through the post on this page and I'm still not sure what Kabbala is or isn't. I have found it quite irritating when this subject was raised on other sites and then deleted, it always left me wondering - so, could someone ( and please keep it at my level - simple) explain in less than a page what is Kabbala. Thank you
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