Abyss: refers to the Sefirah Knowledge/First on the Fallen Tree;
also called “Face of the Deep.”
Acharit (Hebrew: The Last): the fourth and final Celestial Head of
Mashiach L’YHVH corresponding to the filter of the letter Tav.
Adam Kadmon: anthropomorphic allusion to Vast Face as the Celestial
Man “created (i.e. World of B’riyah) in the image of Elohim”;
depicted in Merkabah literature as riding upon the Celestial Chariot, or
seated upon the Throne of El Shadai. Adam, as the archetype of the
first man in the Garden of Eden, reflects the male (yang) aspect of Small
Face in the Lower World of Yetzirah, with Chavah (Eve) representing the
feminine (yin) aspect of Small Face as the energy of consciousness. With
the allusion of the eating of the apple of the knowledge of good and evil,
the action drops down into the World of Asiyah, and consciousness becomes
dualistic.
Adonai (Hebrew: My Master): a principal Name of Small Face in the
Qabalah.
Advaita (Sanskrit: Non-duality): one of the three world views in
Vedantic spiritual philosophy, which perceives all Name and Form as illusory,
and only Brahman (i.e. Ayn) as real and existent.
Affirmation of Unity: refers to the proclamations of the absolute
unity of existence at the foundation of Judaism and Islam. In Judaism, it
is the verse in the Torah known as the “Shema.”
In Islam, it is the verse in the Qur’an, “La illaha
il Allah.”
After-the-World Sequence: a version of the Taoist Trigram Tree that
is the equivalent of the qabalistic Fallen Tree.
Ajna Chakra: the forehead-center on the Chakric Tree, portrayed as
a lotus with two petals. Corresponds to the Sefiroth Wisdom/East and Understanding/North
on the qabalistic Tree, the Latifa Khafiya on the Sufi Tree, and the Upper
Tan on the Taoist Tree.
Alef of Unity: Small Face; the Word of God manifest in Sefirah Knowledge/First
and unmanifest in the negatively-existent roots of the Tree.
Alef Worlds: unmanifest witness states of Vast Face in Sefirah Crown/Above.
Allah: the principal Name of Small Face in the Qur'an and
Islam.
Anahata Chakra: the thoracic center on the Chakric Tree, portrayed
as a lotus with six petals. Corresponds to Sefirah Beauty/Last on the qabalistic
Tree, the Latifa Siriya on the Sufi Tree, and the Middle Tan on the Taoist
Tree.
Ananda (Sanskrit: Bliss): one of the three innate aspects of Vast
Face as Sat-Chit-Ananda.
Angelic Tree Language: an array of Fallen and Perfect Trees of Life
sourced in the Sefer HaShmoth, so-named because angels are said to
see humans as “walking Trees”; also called Enochian Tree Language.
Asiyah (World of Activity, Making): the fourth and densest of the
four qabalistic worlds, rooted in the Sefirah Knowledge/First and associated
with the Nefesh.
Atiqa (Hebrew: Hidden One): a prominent Name of Vast Face in the
Mystical Qabalah.
Atziluth (World of Emanation): the first and most sublime of the
four qabalistic worlds, rooted in the Sefirah Crown/Above and the letter
Yod in the Name YHVH, and associated with the Neshamah; also called the
Supernal World.
Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit: Thousand-Armed Ishvara): a principal Name
of Small Face in Buddhism, especially in Tibet where He is called Vajradhara
and Chen Re Zig.
Avir (Hebrew: Air, Atmosphere): element corresponding to the Mother
Letter Alef, and with the “Father” Space.
Avodah (Hebrew: Worship, Prayer): directed prayer.
Ayn (Hebrew: Nothing): deepest of the three negatively-existent roots
of the Tree of Life.
Ayn Sof (Hebrew: Endless): second of the three negatively-existent
roots of the Tree of Life.
Ayn Sof Or (Hebrew: Endless Light or Light of the Endless): third
of the three negatively-existent roots of the Tree of Life.
B’rakha (Arabic: Blessing): direct spiritual transmission in
Sufism.
B’rakha (Hebrew: Blessing): direct spiritual transmission in
the Qabalah.
B’rith Yachid (Hebrew: Covenant of Unity): an appellation of
Small Face in the World of Atziluth in the center of the Inner Court of
the three-dimensional Perfect Tree in the Sefer Yetzirah.
B’riyah (Hebrew: World of Creation): second of the four qabalistic
worlds, a formless world of vibrational signatures. Rooted in the supernal
Sefirah Wisdom/East and the Upper Heh in the Name YHVH.
Bar Mitzvah (Hebrew: “Son of Righteous Action”): Jewish
rite of passage generally occurring at age 13, when a Jewish youth intones
the blessings and reads from the Torah for the first time before
the congregation; said to be “nachus” (i.e. a gift from the youth
to his/her parents).
Battle: a meditation image from the Sefer Yetzirah depicting
a state of tension between the two aspects of each Double Letter, and between
six pairs of Simple Letters.
Beard of Small Face: an image which comes from the Sifra Detzniyutha
involving nine strands of convoluting Names emanating from the letter Alef.
Beard of Vast Face: an image which comes from the Sifra Detzniyutha
involving nine strands of convoluting Names emanating from the letter Ayin.
Before-the-World Sequence: form of the Taoist Trigram Tree from the
Shuo Qua. Correlates with the qabalistic Tree of Perfection.
Beyt Worlds: worlds of manifestation in Small Face.
Bhakti (Sanskrit: Devotion): unconditional love for a Small Face
Chosen Ideal in Hindu Yoga system.
Bhava (Sanskrit: Mood): spiritual mood toward one’s Chosen Ideal
e.g. child to the Lord as one’s Divine Mother or Father, servant to
the Lord as one’s Divine Master, parent to the Lord as one’s Divine
Child, friend to the Lord as the Dearest Friend, wife to the Lord as one’s
Divine Husband, husband to the Lord as one’s Divine Wife, etc.
Bhava Samadhi (Sanskrit): ecstatic absorption of varying length in
a particular spiritual mood toward one’s Chosen Ideal; may occur in
waking or conscious dream state.
Bija (Sanskrit: Seed): Atziluthic form of the Sanskrit letters.
Binah (Hebrew: Understanding): Zoharic name for the third Sefirah
at the top of the Column of the Left on the Tree, supernal root of the World
of Yetzirah; also called Sefirah North in the Sefer Yetzirah.
Borders: a descriptive term for the Simple Letters in the Sefer
Yetzirah as the peripheral gates that connect the Directional Sefiroth
to one another.
Brahma (Sanskrit): creative aspect of Small Face in the Sanatana
Dharma tradition of India, whose consort is the Goddess Saraswati. Corresponds
to Elohim in the Qabalah.
Brahman (Sanskrit): a principal Name of the negatively-existent Mysterious
Unknown in the Sanatana Dharma tradition of India; synonymous with Ayn.
Central Column: the middle pillar of the Tree of Life, described
as a clear mirror in which the two side columns are polar reflections.
Chakra (Sanskrit: Wheel): one of seven centers on the single-column
Tantric Tree of Life, portrayed as lotuses with differing numbers of petals.
Chasidim: mystically oriented sect of Rabbinical Jews tracing its
origin to Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, known as the “Baal Shem Tov.”
Chayah (Hebrew: Holy Being, pl. Chayot): angelic allusion corresponding
to the action of the six Directional Sefiroth on the Chariot Shadai Tree.
Chitshakti (Sanskrit: Energy of Consciousness): a synonym for Kundalini.
Clear Mirror: non-mediated perception of and communication with Divinity;
a term for the Central Column of the Tree of Life.
Cloudy Mirror: Zoharic term referring to a level of psychic mediation.
Column of the Right: masculine side pillar of the flat version of
the Tree of Life, one of two polar opposite reflections in the clear mirror
of the Central Column.
Column of the Left: feminine side pillar of the flat version of the
Tree of Life, one of two polar opposite reflections in the clear mirror
of the Central Column.
Composite Tree: Fallen Tree upon which has been placed all of the
gate patterns from all the different paths of ascension; not in itself a
working path.
Da’ath (Hebrew: Knowledge, Realization): Sefirah at the throat
center on the qabalistic Tree. Corresponds to the Vishuddha Chakra on the
Tantric Tree, and the Latifa Ruhiya on the Sufi Tree.
Dana (Pali): Buddhist term for selfless service.
Devekut (Hebrew: Cleaving, Adhering): qabalistic meditation.
Dharma (Sanskrit: Spiritual Path): spiritual transmission embodied
in a religious tradition.
Dikhr (Arabic: Remembrance): repetition of Divine Names and root
mantra in Sufism.
Directional Sefiroth: the six Sefiroth assigned to the six directions
of above, below, east, west, north, and south in the Sefer Yetzirah.
Double Letters: term for the seven Hebrew letters which have two
different pronunciations and aspects that are portrayed in a state of polar
tension in the image of “The Wall” in the Sefer Yetzirah.
These letters link the Directional Sefiroth to the Inner Court of the Tree.
Dvaita (Sanskrit: Dualism): one of three perspectives in Vedantic
spiritual philosophy that views the Divine Essence as separate from the
Creation.
Elohim (Hebrew: God): creative aspect of Small Face. The term is
both singular and plural, thereby referring to the consciousness of the
local star (i.e. the Sun), as well as, all stars.
Esh (Hebrew: Fire): element corresponding to the Mother Letter Shin,
the father Energy, and a name for the second Sefirah on the Column of the
Left in the flat version of the Tree in the Sefer Yetzirah.
Eti, Eti (Sanskrit: “This, This”): process of unifying
all experiences in Small Face in Bhakti Yoga.
Etz HaChayyim (Hebrew: Tree of Life): a map of consciousness through
the four qabalistic worlds, comprised of ten spheres connected by a total
of twenty-two gates, and rooted in a negatively-existent substratum. Corresponds
to the system of Chakras in the Tantra, and Latifas in Sufism. A book dictated
by Rabbi Yitz'aaq Luria to his student Chayyim Vital.
Everlasting Arms: a descriptive term for the Simple Letters in the
Sefer Yetzirah.
Eye of Hashmal: term for Vast Face in the Idra Rabba.
Ezra Hebrew: the alphabet devised in the fifth century BCE and attributed
to Ezra, which replaced the original Sinatic Hebrew alphabet as the script
in which the Tanakh is written.
Face-to-Face: a phrase in the Sifra Detzniyutha describing
the condition whereby Small Face turns inward to Vast Face, and the Small
Face universe disappears.
Fala (Arabic): Divine Attributes of Small Face.
Fallen Tree: in Angelic Tree Language, a form of the Tree of Life
in which the Sefirah Knowledge/First is invisible as an Abyss, and appears
to have “fallen” into position as the Sefirah Kingdom.
Fall of Adam: fall from unitive to dualistic consciousness, the fall
of the Sefirah Knowledge/First into position as the Sefirah Kingdom.
Fana il Fana (Arabic: Extinction of Extinction): in Sufism, a term
alluding to the dissolution of individuated consciousness in the ultimate
experience of Vast Face in the negatively-existent roots of the Tree. Corresponds
to nirvakalpa samadhi in the Hindu Yoga system, and satori in Zen.
Faqir (Arabic: mendicant): a term for a Sufi reflecting the ideal
of spiritual poverty.
Galgalim (Hebrew: Wheels): qabalistic term for reincarnation, envisioned
as the rotation (or migration) of the Geviyah through successive physical
bodies (Nefesh) in the World of Asiyah.
Gan Eden (Hebrew: Garden of Eden): an archetype and an idyllic place
in Sefirah Beauty/The Last in the World of Yetzirah.
Gan Eden Alphabet: the source alphabet in the astral World of Yetzirah
from which differentiate both the Hebrew and Sanskrit alphabets in the World
of Asiyah.
Gate: a passageway associated with one of the Hebrew letters that
connects one Sefirah to another on the Tree of Life.
Gate of the Alef: letter-gate that crosses the Abyss of the invisible
Sefirah Knowledge/First on the Fallen Tree, and which connects the Sefirah
Beauty/The Last to the visible Sefirah Knowledge/First on the Perfect Tree.
Called Sirata in the Qur’an, and “straight is gate and
narrow is the way” in the Peshitta.
Gate of the Beyt: the letter-gate into the World of B’riyah,
and the Beyt Worlds that falls when Sefirah Knowledge/First becomes Sefirah
Kingdom. This gate connects Sefirah Kingdom to Sefirah Foundation/Below
on the Fallen Tree, and Sefirah Knowledge/First to Sefirah Crown/Above on
the Perfect Tree.
Gate of the Gimel: letter-gate that connects Sefirah Foundation/Below
to Sefirah Beauty/The Last along the Central Column; described as the mirror
of the “Watcher on the Threshold.”
Gemara (Hebrew: Traditions): dialectics regarding the interpretations
of the written law in the Mishnah, subsequently redacted into the
Talmud.
Gematria (Hebrew): a type of qabalistic numerology.
Geviyah (Hebrew): name of the shell of embodied existence corresponding
to the astral World of Yetzirah.
Halacha (Hebrew: Adopted Opinions, Religious Rules): traditional
interpretations and applications of the written law, specifically the Torah.
Haqiqah Latifa (Arabic): crown center on the Sufi Tree Corresponds
to the Sefirah Crown/Above on the qabalistic Tree, and the Sahasrara Chakra
on the Tantric Tree.
HaShem (Hebrew: “The Name”): a shortened form of Shem HaMeforesh
(lit. “Name of Brilliant Fire”), an appellation for the Name YHVH.
Heads of Mashiach: four aspects of Messiah L’YHVH corresponding
respectively to the four Sefiroth of the Inner Court of the Tree, and to
the three Mother Letters and the Tav of the Holy Temple.
Hi’iaka (Hawaiian): term for the Sefiroth in the Kahuna tradition
portrayed as female companions or aspects of the Divine Mother Pele, same
as Tantric dakinis.
Hitbonenuth (Hebrew): Chasidic contemplative practice of directed
concentration.
Hochmah (Hebrew: Wisdom): a supernal Sefirah at the top of the Column
of the Right on the Tree of Life; supernal root of the World of B’riyah.
Corresponds to Upper Heh in Name YHVH.
Holy Temple: a synonym for the Double Letter Tav and the Inner Court
Sefirah Last in the Sefer Yetzirah.
Ida (Sanskrit): one of the two side channels of the Chakric Tree.
Corresponds to the Column of the Right on the qabalistic Tree.
Idra Rabba Qadusha (Hebrew: Greater Holy Assembly): name of one of
the three core texts of the Sefer HaZohar, and a term for all ten
Sefiroth of the qabalistic Tree of Life.
Idra Zuta Qadusha (Hebrew: Lesser Holy Assembly): name of one of
the three core texts of the Sefer HaZohar, and a term for the seven
upper Sefiroth of the Tree.
Inner Court: a term for the four Sefiroth at the center of the three-dimensional
form of the Tree of Life, two of which move into the side columns on the
flat version of the Tree.
Ishvara (Sanskrit): a principal name of Small Face in the Vedas.
Japa (Sanskrit): continuous repetition of a mantra with the mind
concentrated on its meaning in the Hindu tradition. Corresponds to zakhor
in the Qabalah and dhikr in Sufism.
Jinn (Hebrew): angels of destruction, demons.
Jivashakti (Sanskrit): energy of consciousness manifest in the embodied
Soul.
Jnana (Sanskrit: Knowledge): the path of direct perception of Vast
Face in the Hindu system of yoga.
Kahuna (Hawaiian): one who holds the hidden knowledge.
Kalah (Hebrew: Bride): a synonym for Shekhinah as the Bride of the
Lord YHVH on Shabat.
Kali (Sanskrit: Dark One): a principal Name of Small Face in the
Tantric tradition; a form of the Goddess.
Karma (Sanskrit): law of cause and effect, synonymous with Hebrew
word mazal.
Kav (Hebrew: Line of Light): synonym for the Central Column in the
Lurianic description of the emanation of the Tree in the Etz HaChayyim.
Kavanah (Hebrew: Intention): focused intention within the context
of spiritual practice.
Kerubim (Hebrew): high class of angels who guard the Throne of Shadai
in the Merkabah Tree.
Keter (Hebrew: Crown): the uppermost Sefirah on the Tree of Life.
Corresponds to the center on the top of the head and the Sahasrara Chakra.
Ketuvim (Hebrew: Writings): the books which comprise the Writings
in the Tanakh.
Khafiya Latifa (Arabic): the forehead center on the Sufi Tree corresponding
to the level of the Sefiroth Wisdom/East and Understanding/North on the
qabalistic Tree, the Ajna Chakra on the Tantric Tree, and the Upper Tan
on the Taoist Tree.
Khanqah (Arabic): meeting hall in which Sufis gather to receive instruction
and engage in spiritual practices.
Kohan (Hebrew: Priest): a member of the Israelite priesthood who
enacted the rituals in the Temples of Jerusalem.
Kundalini (Sanskrit): energy of consciousness portrayed as a snake
asleep in three and a half coils at the base of the spine in the Muladhara
Chakra; corresponds to the Shekhinah in qabalistic teachings.
La (Arabic: NOT): a term referring to the Mysterious Unknown at the
Roots of All Things, synonymous with Ayn; first word in the Affirmation
of Unity in the Qur’an.
Latifa (Arabic): series of seven centers on the Sufi Tree. Corresponds
to the Sefiroth on the qabalistic Tree of Life and the Chakras of the Tantric
Tree.
Leviathan (Hebrew: Behemoth): fence of Vast Face portrayed as a snake-devouring-its-tail
around the circumference of the Tzimtzum.
Lingam (Sanskrit): the erect penis as a symbol of Shiva and the potency
of Vast Face.
Lo (Hebrew: NOT): a synonym for the Ayn, referring to the negatively-existent
Mysterious Unknown at the Roots of All Things.
Ma’aseh B’reshith (Hebrew: Work of Creation): qabalistic
secrets regarding the generation of the Creation by the Divine.
Ma’aseh Merkabah (Hebrew: Work of the Chariot): qabalistic secrets
regarding the Tree of Life as the Divine Chariot; also, a general term for
esoteric speculations.
Madura Bhava (Sanskrit: Sweet Mood): the spiritual mood of lover/wife
to the Lord as the Beloved/Husband.
Maghdi (Arabic: Hidden One): term for the One-to-Come i.e. Messiah,
in the Shi’ite Muslim tradition.
Mashiach (Hebrew: Anointed One): at the level of Vast Face, the Celestial
Heads of Small Face by which the Creation is manifested, maintained, and
dissolved. At the level of Small Face, the play of the Divine in human form
as World Teacher to renew the spiritual transmission of the absolute unity
of the Divine and the primacy of love, discrimination, and selfless service
as the means for spiritual awakening.
Malkhuth (Hebrew: Kingdom): name for the lowest Sefirah on the qabalistic
Fallen Tree. Corresponds to the Muladhara Chakra on the Tantric Tree, and
the Latifa Qalabiya in the Sufi Tree. The fallen form of the Sefirah Knowledge/First,
and the waking state in most humans. This Sefirah is associated with the
Shekhinah in exile.
Manipura Chakra (Sanskrit): solar plexus center on the Chakric Tree,
portrayed as a lotus with ten petals. Corresponds to the Sefiroth Victory/South
and Glory/West on the qabalistic Tree, and the Latifa Qalbiya on the Sufi
Tree.
Maya (Sanskrit: Illusion): the illusion of the Ayn (called Brahman
in the Hindu system) to appear as a universe of Name and Form.
Mayim (Hebrew): the element of water corresponding to the Mother
Letter Mem.
Mazal (Hebrew: Fate): the law of cause and effect, synonymous with
karma in Hindu system.
Menorah (Hebrew): candle holder used during the eight days of Chanukah,
symbolizing the Tree of Life.
Merkabah (Hebrew: Chariot): an allusion to the Tree of Life in general,
and especially the Sefiroth of the Inner Court.
Metatron (Hebrew): name given to Enoch ben Yared when he ascended
and “walked with Elohim”; name for operational manager of this
Small Face universe.
Middle Tan (Chinese): middle of three primary centers on the Taoist
Tree of Life corresponding to the thoracic center, the Sefirah Beauty/Last,
and the Anahata Chakra.
Mishnah (Hebrew: Oral Teaching): a collection of oral laws redacted
in the two versions of the Talmud.
Mitzvah (Hebrew): meritorious deeds, righteous acts for a religious
purpose in accordance with the precepts of the Torah.
Mother Letters: a designation for the three letters Alef, Mem, and
Shin in the Sefer Yetzirah.
Muladhara Chakra (Sanskrit): anal center on the Chakric Tree. Corresponds
to the Sefirah Malkhuth on the qabalistic Tree and the Latifa Qalabiya on
the Sufi Tree.
Mureed (Arabic): a Sufi aspirant who has received the b’rakha
of a spiritual preceptor within the context of a specific chain of transmission.
Nabiyim (Hebrew: Prophets): the books containing the writings of
the Prophets in the Tanakh.
Nafsiya Latifa (Arabic): the lower abdominal center on the Sufi Tree.
Corresponds to the Sefirah Foundation/Below on the qabalistic Tree, the
Svadisthana Chakra on the Tantric Tree, and the Tan Tien on the Taoist Tree.
Nar (Hebrew: “The Youth”): a name for Metatron.
Nefesh (Hebrew): the physical shell of embodied existence in the
World of Asiyah.
Neshamah (Hebrew: Soul): the shell of embodied existence in the World
of Atziluth. Corresponds to the Atman in the Vedas.
Neshamah HaNeshamah (Hebrew: Soul of the Soul): negatively-existent
shell corresponding to consciousness in the roots of the Tree.
Neti, Neti (Sanskrit: “Not This, Not This”): words from
the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad for the process of negating all experiences
on every plane of existence in jnana yoga.
Nirvikalpa Samadhi (Sanskrit): ecstatic absorption in God-without-Name-and-Form,
in which individuated consciousness dissolves like a “salt doll walking
into the ocean.”
Nirvana (Sanskrit): ultimate experience of enlightenment in Buddhism.
Correlates with fana l’fana in Sufism, nirvakalpa samadhi in Hindu
Yoga, and satori in Zen.
Ofanim (Hebrew): high class of angles on the Merkabah Tree of Chariot
Shadai.
Olam (Hebrew: World): one of four planes of existence in the Qabalah.
Omehq (Hebrew: Depth): appellation for the Atziluthic Sefiroth in
the Sefer Yetzirah e.g. Depth of First, Depth of Last.
Omkara (Sanskrit): the first manifest sound from which are derived
all other sounds; also called Pranava and Nada Brahman; corresponds to the
qabalistic Alef of Unity.
Open Gate: appellation for the Central Column of the Tree in general,
and the Gate of the Gimel in particular.
Organ of the Tongue: a term for the Alef of Unity, and the root of
Small Face in the throat center of the Sefirah Knowledge/First in the Sefer
Yetzirah.
Organ of Nakedness: a term for the Ayin of Vast Face in the Sefer
Yetzirah.
O.T.O.: Order Templis Orientis, a school of the Practical Qabalah
that was a breakout group from the Golden Dawn.
Pagan: Latin-based appellation given to the indigenous spiritual
traditions of Western Europe that preceded the colonization by Christianity.
Paniel (Hebrew: Face of El): name of Vast Face, the angel with whom
Ya’aqov wrestled in the Torah.
Partzufim (Hebrew: Veils, Curtains, Faces): a term prominent in Lurianic
teachings for Vast Face, Ancient Father, Ancient Mother, Small Face, and
the Shekhinah. Correspond to the letters in the Name YHVH and the four qabalistic
worlds.
Parush (Hebrew: Withdraw): root of the word Pharisee i.e. one who
withdraws from the world in pious isolation.
Pele (Hawaiian): principal name of Small Face in the mystical tradition
of the Hawaiian Kahunas.
Pesach (Hebrew: Passover): a ritual delineated in Torah HaShmoth
that, in its exoteric aspect, portrays the night the Angel of Death “passed
over” i.e. spared the first-born children of the Israelites preceding
the release from Egyptian slavery.
Pharisees (Hebrew): Rabbinical Jewish sect that opposed the priesthood
and the Sadducees and eventually assimilated orthodox authority after the
Diaspora. The Pharisees maintained that, in addition to the written Torah,
God had handed down an oral tradition at Mount Sinai. They believed that
the soul was immortal and that all actions in this world affected the person's
future in the World to Come.
Pingala (Sanskrit): one of the two side channels on the Chakric Tree.
Corresponds to the Column of the Left on the qabalistic Tree.
Pir (Persian): title for the spiritual preceptor in Sufism.
Pralaya (Sanskrit: Night): a solar night in which Brahma sleeps.
Corresponds to the Great Flood in the Torah.
Prana (Sanskrit: Vital Energy): subtle energy responsible for all
life. Corresponds to ruach in Hebrew and qi in Chinese.
Prasadam (Sanskrit): food that has been made holy by the “touch”
of the Divine; the ritual of offering food to the Divine to make it holy.
Purusha (Sanskrit): pure undifferentiated Spirit. Corresponds to
the Neshamah in the Qabalah.
Qabalah (Hebrew: Receiving, Acceptance): direct perception of and
communion with the Divine. The mystical system at the root of the spiritual
traditions of the Children of Abraham.
Qalabiya Latifa (Arabic): the anal center on the Sufi Tree. Corresponds
to the Sefirah Kingdom on the qabalistic Tree, and the Muladhara Chakra
on the Tantric Tree.
Qalbiya Latifa (Arabic): the solar plexus center on the Sufi Tree.
Corresponds to the Sefiroth Victory/South and Glory/West on the qabalistic
Tree, and the Manipura Chakra on the Tantric Tree.
Qi (Chinese: Vital Energy): subtle energy responsible for
all life; corresponds to ruach in Hebrew and prana in Sanskrit.
Qlifah (Hebrew: Shell, pl. Qlifoth): shell of embodied existence
corresponding to a respective qabalistic world or plane of existence.
Qwan Yin (Chinese): principal Name of Small Face as the Divine Mother
in Taoism; Chinese adaptation of Avalokiteshvara as a feminine Deity.
Reshith (Hebrew: The First): one of the four Celestial Heads of Messiah
associated with the manifestation of the Small Face universe; name for the
throat Sefirah in the Sefer Yetzirah.
Ruach (Hebrew: Spirit, Vital Energy): term used in the Sefer Yetzirah
to denote both the pervasive consciousness of Elohim, and for the vital
animating energy corresponding to prana in Sanskrit and qi in Chinese.
Ruach HaQodesh (Hebrew: Holy Spirit): the shell of embodied existence
corresponding to the World of B’riyah; bliss body.
Ruhiya Latifa (Arabic): the throat center on the Sufi Tree. Corresponds
to the Sefirah Knowledge/First on the qabalistic Tree, and the Vishuddha
Chakra on the Tantric Tree.
Sadducees (Hebrew): one of the groups who vied for power during the
Hasmonean period. They viewed the priests as the only authoritative representatives
of Jewish law, did not believe in the immortality of the soul, and denied
that there was a divine reward/punishment system in a life after this life.
Sahasrara Chakra (Sanskrit): crown center on the top of the head
of the Chakric Tree, portrayed as a lotus with one thousand petals. Corresponds
to the Sefirah Crown/Above on the qabalistic Tree, and the Latifa Haqiqa
on the Sufi Tree.
Salat (Arabic): sequence of Islamic prayers performed five times
a day.
Salvikalpa Samadhi (Sanskrit): ecstatic absorption
in God-with-Name-and-Form wherein the individuated consciousness is still
present.
Samskaras (Sanskrit: Impressions): residue of karmic impressions
from previous lifetimes imprinted on the mirror of the Watcher on the Threshold,
and hard wired in the deep memory of the brain.
Samyana (Sanskrit): one-pointed concentration.
Sanatana Dharma (Sanskrit): the spiritual tradition of the Hindu
Vedas.
Satori (Japanese): direct perception of the Truth in Buddhism; enlightenment.
Sefer Yetzirah (Hebrew: Book of Formation): book on the mystical
significance of the Hebrew letters written by Abraham.
Sefer HaZohar (Hebrew: Book of Splendor): name of a five volume exegesis
on the Torah.
Sefirah (Hebrew: Sphere, pl. Sefiroth): one of ten stations on the
qabalistic Tree of Life.
Septuagint: Greek translation of the Tanakh.
Seva (Sanskrit): work in the world performed as selfless service
to the Divine.
Shabat (Hebrew: Sabbath): the wedding day of the Lord YHVH and the
Shekhinah; the day of rest and celebration in conventional Judaism.
Shanti Bhava (Sanskrit: Peaceful Mood): a spiritual mood associated
with Vast Face.
Shaykh (Arabic): spiritual preceptor in Sufism.
Shekhinah (Hebrew: Divine Presence, Neighborhood): a central Name
for the feminine aspect as the energy of consciousness of the Lord YHVH,
associated with the Lower Heh in the Name YHVH and the Sefirah Kingdom.
Corresponds to Sakinat in the Qur’an, and to Kundalini in the
Tantra.
Shell of Terror: a term for the experience of “getting close
to the Throne” i.e. to the awesome power of Small Face, when moving
through the Gate of the Alef toward the Abyss of the invisible Sefirah Knowledge/First.
Shem HaMeforesh (Hebrew: “Name of Brilliant Fire”): an
appellation of the Name YHVH, reflecting its appearance as dancing letters
of fire.
Sheol (Hebrew): a central name for qabalistic hells.
Shevarit HaKelim (Hebrew: “Shattering of the Vessels”):
a central tenet in Lurianic Qabalah which says that at the moment of Creation,
there was an explosion which shattered the Totality into holy sparks which
will reunite over time.
Sh’ir Qoma (Hebrew: “Measure of the Divine Body”):
synonym for the Yosher form of the Name YHVH; name of a section in the Sefer
Raziel HaGadol.
Shiva (Sanskrit: The Auspicious): a principal Name of Vast Face in
the Tantric tradition.
Shushumna (Sanskrit): the central channel of the Chakric Tree. Corresponds
to the Central Column of the qabalistic Tree.
Sifra Detzniyutha (Aramaic: Book of THAT Which is Concealed): first
of three core texts at the root of the Sefer HaZohar.
Silsilah (Arabic): the chain of spiritual transmission in Sufism.
Simple Letters: the twelve Hebrew letters that link the Directional
Sefiroth to one another in the Sefer Yetzirah.
Sinatic Hebrew: original Hebrew alphabet that appeared circa nineteenth
century BCE.
Sirata (Arabic: “Straight Path”): name for the Gate of
the Alef over the Abyss of the invisible Sefirah Knowledge/First on the
Fallen Tree in the “Opening” Surah of the Qur’an.
Siriya Latifa (Arabic): thoracic center on the Sufi Tree. Corresponds
to Sefirah Beauty/Last on the qabalistic Tree, the Anahata Chakra on the
Tantric Tree, and the Middle Tan on the Taoist Tree.
Small Face: God with attributes; active aspect of the Ayn that manifests,
preserves, and dissolves universes; in Hebrew, Ze’ir Afim or Ze’ir
Anafin.
Sufi (Arabic): conventional term for the mystics of Islam.
Sujud (Arabic): term for the Islamic practice of prostration.
Sunset: a meditation image in the Sefer Yetzirah, which includes
all of the correlations for the 22 letters of the alphabet contained in
the text.
Sunyata (Sanskrit: Emptiness): term in Buddhism for the extinction
of individuated consciousness in the Mysterious Unknown at the Roots of
All Things.
Surah (Arabic): term for the chapters in the Qur’an.
Svadisthana Chakra (Sanskrit): lower abdominal center on the Chakric
Tree, portrayed as a lotus with six petals. Corresponds to the Sefirah Foundation/Below
on the qabalistic Tree, the Latifa Nafsiya on the Sufi Tree, and the Tan
T’ien on the Taoist Tree.
Swagatabheda (Sanskrit: “A Difference within Itself”):
a concept central to the vasishtadvaitic perspective in Vedantic philosophy.
Talmud (Hebrew): two sets of books, one called Talmud Babli
and the other Talmud Yerushalmi, which contain the redactions of
the halachic dialectics of the early rabbis
Tanakh (Hebrew): acronym for Torah (The Law), Nabiyim
(Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).
Tan Tien (Chinese: Field of Cinnabar): lowest of three primary centers
on the Taoist Tree of Life. Corresponds to the Sefirah Foundation/Below
on the qabalistic Tree, the Svadhistana Chakra on the Tantric Tree, and
the Latifa Nafsiya on the Sufi Tree.
Tantra (Sanskrit): mystical tradition of Northern India, centered
upon Shiva/Shakti.
Tariqa (Arabic): Sufi term for the mystical path.
Tefillin (Hebrew: Phylacteries): two sets of small boxes within which
there are partitions containing small scrolls bearing verses from the Torah,
and most notably, the Shema. Rabbinical Jews affix the tefillin to their
the foreheads and left arms several times daily within the context of daily
prayers.
Torah (Hebrew: Law): the first five books of the Tanakh, ascribed
to Master Mosheh in Rabbinical Judaism.
Torah Qadmah (Hebrew: Eternal Torah): unmanifest, supernal
Torah in the Upper Worlds.
Tree of Perfection (also Perfect Tree): several types of Trees in Angelic
Tree Language in which the Sefirah Knowledge/First is visible, and in which
there is no Sefirah Kingdom. These Trees correspond to awakened yogis and
saints, and Messiahs.
Trigram: glyph composed of three solid or broken lines. The eight
permutations of the solid and broken lines correlate to the Directional
Sefiroth plus two of the Sefiroth from the Inner Court (Water and Fire)
on the qabalistic Tree of Life
Tsawwuf (Arabic): more traditional name for the mystical tradition
of the Sufis.
Tzadiq (Hebrew: Saint, pl. Tzadiqim): an awakened servant of the Lord hvhy
who has ascended the Tree via the Path of the Saint. A qabalistic tradition
says that “36 Righteous Tzadiqim” are the foundation of the world.
Tzimtzum (Hebrew: Contraction): an envacuous circular area from which
the Light of the Endless has been withdrawn, wherein the Tree of Life is
emanated and the Small Face universe is manifested; a central idea of Lurianic
cosmology derived from the Sefer HaZohar and presented in the Etz
HaChayyim.
Upper Light: synonym for the Ayn Sof Or (Light of the Endless) in
the Etz HaChayyim.
Upper Tan (Chinese): uppermost of three primary centers on the Taoist
Tree of Life. Corresponds to the forehead center, the Sefiroth Understanding/North
and Wisdom/East on the qabalistic Tree, the Ajna Chakra on the Tantric Tree,
and the Latifa Khafiya on the Sufi Tree.
Vasishtadvaita (Sanskrit: Qualified Non-dualism): one of three world
views in Vedantic spiritual philosophy in which the Divine is innate in
all beings.
Vast Face: God without attributes; inactive aspect of the Ayn in
the Mystical Qabalah; in Hebrew, Arikh Afim or Arikh Anafin.
Vedas (Sanskrit): one of the primary texts of the Hindu religion.
Vijnana (Sanskrit: Intimate Knowledge of God): realization of the
Mysterious Unknown both as Vast Face and Small Face.
Virabhava (Sanskrit: Hero Mood): the heroic mode of Tantric worship.
Vishnu (Sanskrit): a primary Divine Name in the Puranic tradition
of India. Within the context of the synthesis of three complete spiritual
traditions into one, Vishnu is regarded as the aspect of the Divine that
sustains the Creation.
Visuddha Chakra (Sanskrit): throat center on the Chakric Tree, portrayed
as a lotus with sixteen petals. Corresponds to the Sefirah Knowledge/First
on the qabalistic Tree, and the Latifa Ruhiya on the Sufi Tree.
Viveka (Sanskrit: Discrimination): within the context of Hindu Yoga,
the process of discerning the Real from the Unreal.
Wall: a meditation image in the Sefer Yetzirah involving all
possible permutations of pairs of Hebrew letters in forward and reverse
order, yielding a total of 462 combinations.
Wasifa (Arabic): Divine Names used in Sufi spiritual practices.
Watcher on the Threshold: a synonym for the Gate of the Gimel; the
collective residual karmic impressions amassed from past incarnations.
Way of the House of the Treasuries of Elohim: a single-column Working
Tree that involves the exclusive use of the Central Column of the Tree.
Way of the Angels of Destruction: a Working Tree that involves the
exclusive use of the Column of the Left.
Way of the Angels of Elohim: a Working Tree that involves the exclusive
use of the Column of the Right.
Way of Messiah: a Working Tree which requires an overwhelming love
and one-pointed devotion for a form of Messiah or the Torah. In ascending
the Central Column, when the heart Sefirah Beauty/Last awakens, the entire
Tree lights up.
Way of the Saint: a Working Tree that uses all three columns of the
Tree; opposite pattern of ascent from the Way of the Wizard.
Way of the Wizard: a Working Tree that uses all three columns of
the Tree; opposite pattern of ascent from the Way of the Saint.
Way of YHVH Elohenu: a Working Tree that involves the exclusive use
of the Central Column.
Weight: collective term used by the Sifra Detzniyutha for
the balanced tension among all the Sefiroth on the Tree of Life.
Working Tree: a synonym for the Fallen Tree in Angelic Tree Language;
a specific way that the Tree is ascended.
Yantra (Sanskrit): visual image corresponding to states and stations
of consciousness.
Yechidah (Hebrew: Unity): term for the negatively-existent roots
of the Tree; alternative name for the Neshamah HaNeshamah.
Yetzirah (Hebrew: Formation): one of the four qabalistic worlds,
rooted in the supernal Sefirah Understanding/North; the astral plane; the
yang aspect of the Name YHVH in the Lower Worlds. Corresponds to the letter
Vav in the Name YHVH.
YHVH (Hebrew: “He/She/It will be”): the principal Name
of Small Face in the Mystical Qabalah, and the holiest Divine Name in Judaism.
Yoga (Sanskrit: Union): direct perception of and union with the Divine.
Yom Ah-Din (Arabic: Day of Judgment): appellation for the fourth
Head of Celestial Messiah as The Last in the Qur’an.
Yosher (Hebrew: Upright): vertical, highly anthropomorphic version
of the Name YHVH.
Zakhor (Hebrew: Remembrance): the qabalistic practice of the repetition
of Divine Names or mantra.
