THE TREE OF LIFE'S THREE TRIADS

     AND THE CHAKRAS #1

The Tree of Life is an ancient archetype embraced by many cultures including the Celts. This blog will introduce us to the critical Three Triads inherent in this Tree of Kabbalah and attempt to correlate them with the Chakra system of Yoga. Understanding the polarities within both systems is key to spiritual transformation.

Creation arose from Nothingness out of the Ein Sof (Infinity) from the Light of Infinity generated by the Divine. The Big Bang (Tzimtzum in Kabbalah) occurred when the Infinite One insinuated Him/Herself into the void for the sake of the creation. 

After the initial expansion, the universe cooled sufficiently to allow the formation of subatomic particles which formed atoms. These primordial elements over time coalesced forming the stars and galaxies and our planet.

There were four main stages in the Creation.

 Emanation - the intention (in the beginning was the word...)

Creation - the mysterious formation of the elements and much more.

Formation - how they all began to come together to create the universe and all the Beings as well as our planet.

Actualization - everything actually coming into being. This is represented by the yellow arrow (which has been described as a "lightning bolt" - an energy of huge proportions)

According to Kabbalah this phenomenon also resulted in the ten energy centers or sephirot on the Tree of  Life with their interlinking 22 pathways. 

There were two trees in the Garden of Eden (metaphoric or otherwise.) The Tree of Knowledge (T.O.K.) - of acquisitiveness and ego and

The Tree of Life (T.O.L.) by which we can ascend and regain "Eden," the realm of perfected souls (the Pure Land in Buddhism, the Causal realm in Yoga.) The blue arrow like figure pointing upwards.

It is not easy to reenter Eden but knowing these maps can help. We have to be worthy and the Creator placed angels in the Garden with their flaming swords to guard the way to the T.O.L. 

The gates are wide but few will enter

and

"Kabir says; friend - there are few who find the way."

These three main triads resulted from the Creation and can assist us in our ascent back into "Eden.".

The Chakra system has seven chakras with 72.000 nadis or energy channels connecting to them. The central channel ends at the crown chakra (Keter in the T.O.L.) The Sun and Moon join at the sixth chakra or Third Eye. Each chakra is also in balance between the Sun and the Moon energies. The Sun, the sympathetic (Flight of Fight,) expansion,  red, masculine, channel or the Moon of contraction, cool, feminine, blue, and parasympathetic (relaxation response.) This dynamic also results from three energies working at every level- Chakra, Sun and Moon.

The key to balance and moving energy up the system is the Kundalini in yoga which is primal energy that we all have within us. Indigenous cultures have differing names or descriptions for it. The Kundalini is feminine, dormant, serpent like, Shakti energy residing at the base of the spine. When spiritual practice creates balance between the Sun and Moon, She can be made to move into the central channel and ascend empowering and awakening the chakras. In Kabbalah this feminine component of the divine is called the Shechina which resides at Kingdom (Earth) at the base of the T.O.L. 

The Sun and Moon channels are not linear but spiral up the spine. The chakra model resembles the Caduceus and can literally be superimposed on it. Our D.N.A.is also spiral in form and can support the movement of this vital energy. 

As below so above - as above so below,

As within so without- as without so within - the Law of Correspondence. 

Kundalini is also key to facilitating our life force as well as our Inner Healer. 

The Zohar teaches that we are all animated by the spirit, or breath, or wind, or Ruach of the Divine (Prana, Chi or Moya in Zulu.) How we manage this "Wind" is also key to our "Becoming" ( the Ancestors prefer the idea of Becoming to that of enlightenment or Self-Realization which implies a finite point of achievement.)

Num is the San-Bushmen, and Umbilini the Zulu equivalent for Kundalini.

These two energy models help us to find the middle way of the Buddha between the polarities of light and dark, good and evil, positive and negative, expansion or contraction. We have to coexist with the negative but not assimilate it. For this, spiritual practice is essential.