Paths on the Tree of Wisdom

This highly acclaimed new book on Kabbalah guides the reader, according to an endorsement by Kristoffer Hughes, 'into a profound and immersive relationship with the principles of Kabbalah and the Tree of Life, through insightful discourse and powerful exercises.' As the author remarks in his introduction, 'the path of the Kabbalist should lead to a direct relationship with the spiritual world and with God. Only in this way is the living tradition preserved, and new ideas and changes can be incorporated into its ever-developing revolutions.' (p. 1) The book is a comprehensive map and practical guide to this ancient cosmology and tradition. An important strand is the immanence of Shekinah as the feminine presence of God in existence. The individual process has to begin with an invocation to make ourselves vessels for the Holy One and receptive in all humility to influences from the higher world. (p. 31)

The three ways of action, contemplation and devotion are a prelude to the fourth way of the middle pillar in direct experience – this is a mystical rather than a magical path whereby we understand the cosmic laws of unity and duality embodied in the Tree of Life. There is a detailed consideration of death and rebirth in relation to the subtle bodies and the process of reflection and contemplation on the reality of the life one has lived – the purpose is to move us from ignorance to knowledge and wisdom so that we can obtain a clear image of ourselves. The Kabbalist 'takes all the opportunities given to grow and evolve, becoming free from yourself and the conditioning involved' (p. 185) – also through contacting our maggid or inner teacher. Progression involves moving as human beings through the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms towards deeper unity and integration where good is what leads to towards unity, while evil leads to division and fragmentation (p. 221). Metaphysically, both these forces and principles are needed, but they are not currently in balance; the centre of the Tree of Life is Tifaret – the position of the good, the beautiful and true that that brings order and righteousness. Our spiritual task is to create order out of chaos, bring heaven to earth, to restore and heal (Tikkun) in this age of awakening. A deeply inspiring guide.