The modern diagram of the Tree of Life stems from those devised by
kabbalists in medieval Spain and Provence. At one level it is a
microcosmic map of the whole of existence; at another, it can be used as a
tool to understand any event or circumstance.
It will be used here to lay out the different but interconnected parts of the personality. In
kabbalistic work, these are the physical, psychological and spiritual
attributes of humanity which combine in an effort to reach Divinity. Inner
work on the personality corresponds to Yetzirah,the World of Forms.
The yetziratic Tree represents the whole of the psyche, composed of
many elements, but interconnecting to form a whole. The work of the
kabbalist is to become aware of its entire operation.
Unity is of particular importance to people engaged in the work; it represents both
the harmonious working of all parts of the individual personality as well
as the greater work of the unification of the whole of Existence.
The Tree is arranged round a central Column of Consciousness. The
dynamic, active, positive, masculine side, on the Column of Force, headed
by the sephirah, Hochmah, is balanced (or needs to be) by the structured,
passive, negative, feminine side on the Column of Form, which is headed by
Binah.
The Column of Consciousness, headed by Keter, is the balancing axis of
the whole Tree. Man, the conscious agent, stands here, holding the
opposites in balance.
Consciousness is necessary so that a person can
stand at the place of Truth, at Tiferet, and hold the workings of the
Pillars of Force and Form without falling into either. The art is to find
an impartial point from which to work without succumbing to inertia or
being overwhelmed by too much activity.
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