Exploring the Mysteries

Orientation August 24, 2008

Monthly: August 2008 through May 2009

This year we will begin our classes by revisiting the Qabbalah, a mystical and magical tradition that provides a deep fundamental understanding of the concepts of consciousness, force and form.

The Qabbalah is capable of touching the soul in a way that very few things can and is widely utilized in the Western Mystery tradition. The word “Qabbalah” is derived from a root which means “to receive or accept” and is often used synonymously with the word “tradition”. The earliest documents associated with Qabbalah come from the period of approximately 100 to 1000 A.D. and describe the attempts of “Merkabah” mystics to penetrate the seven halls (Hekaloth) of creation in order to reach the Merkabah (throne-chariot) of God. These mystics appear to have used what would now be recognized as familiar methods of shamanism: fasting, repetitious chanting, prayer and posture to induce trance states in which they fought their way past terrible seals and guards to reach an ecstatic state in which they “saw God”.

In our first class we will be given an overview of the Qabbalah - the Tree of Life, with our second class going deeper into more of the subtle nuances of this vast and deep body of teaching. Our meditations will be of a two-fold design: for those that have studied the Qabbalah, we will give you the opportunity to work with the paths on the Tree of Life. The paths denote relationships and symmetries between the Sephiroth and are different states of consciousness within themselves. For those students who are new to these teachings, your meditation work will focus on the Sephiroth, which represent ten primeval emanations of God, ten foci through which the energy of a hidden, absolute and unknown Godhead propagated throughout creation, like white light passing through a prism. Our first ceremony will provide a ‘hands on’ experience of the Tree. 

All over the world, in countries as far apart as China, Peru, Iceland and Madagascar are records and traditions of whole nations and their territories being divided into twelve tribes and twelve regions, each sector of land corresponding to one of the twelve signs of the zodiac and to one of the twelve months in the year, ruled by dynasties that worked in unique relationships to the energies of twelve in order to bring success and order to their kingdoms.

The twelve-fold structure also extends to theologies, calendars, societies and landscape as well as to myth and music. In Plato's Laws, he gave the blueprint for an ideal twelve-tribe constitution. The best known of such organizations are the twelve tribes of Israel under King Solomon, but there are many others.  The supremacy of the number 12 among symbolic numbers is challenged only by the number 7. In every living organism these numbers are symbolically reconciled, for as 12 is the number of form and structure, 7 is the number of spirit.

We will explore the lines of power and vision which ancients drew upon to gain insight and utilized for restoration and healing. The intent of this area of our studies will be to move deeply into the hidden enchantment, the formula to create and maintain a perfectly balanced human order in harmony with the heavenly order, so life is then experienced on a high level of spiritual intensity. Sacred ceremony will be utilized to deepen the relationship between form and spirit, utilizing the esoteric mysteries of number and magic. 

From there our classes will continue based upon the pulse point of what we as a group have created; in other words, the last portion of our class will unfold and be determined by Spirit in order to best serve each individual that has been called to join us as well as the group and community as a whole.  

Classes are offered once a month on Sundays in conjunction with the ceremonial services. On Sunday, August 24 the syllabus of the fall and the first meditation will be distributed. The meditations are specially designed to integrate and support learning and the energetic process. Full classes start September 28. 

We will meet at 11:00 am for service, break for lunch and then continue with class or ceremony until 5:30. Please bring your bag lunch. The cost is $350.00 and a payment plan is available upon request.