Immature vs. Mature Levels in Kabbalistic Ascent

Jewish mysticism offers a fascinating perspective on this, describing how lower levels of existence can actually ascend to higher ones. It's all about connection, unity, and a little bit of cosmic drama!

So, what does it mean for a level to be "immature" versus "mature" in this context? According to the Sulam Commentary, it boils down to the presence – or absence – of certain divine lights. When SAFE1 (Understanding), SAFE2 (Beauty), and SAFE3 (Kingdom) – three of the ten Sefirot (the divine emanations), or divine attributes – are present and shining brightly, a level is considered mature. It's filled with the potential and light it needs. But, when these attributes are displaced, the level is said to be in a state of immaturity, lacking those essential lights.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. How does a lower level actually ascend? It involves the ascent of Malkhut to Bina. Think of Malkhut, often associated with the Shekhinah, the divine feminine presence, as embarking on a spiritual journey upwards. This ascent isn't a simple one-way trip. It creates a kind of cosmic domino effect, preparing the way for other levels to follow.

But what makes this ascent even possible in the first place? The key, as we learn here, is an “equating of form” between the levels. In spiritual terms, this means a deep connection and unification. This happens through something called "feminine waters," a concept we'll explore more deeply another time. Essentially, Malkhut leaves its position within Bina, which then allows those displaced Sefirot of Bina, Tiferet, and Malkhut from the higher level to return to their original place.

Here's the crucial part: while these displaced Sefirot were "slumming it" in the lower level, they united with the Sefirot of that lower level. And when they return to their higher state, they don’t leave their new friends behind! They remain united and pull those lower Sefirot up with them. Think of it like a spiritual upgrade, where everyone benefits.

This process of ascent through "feminine waters" allows lower levels to access supernal light and "brains" that were previously restricted to them. What does that mean? They gain wisdom, understanding, and a greater capacity for divine connection.

The text lays out a pretty fundamental principle: "an upper level which descends to the lower level below becomes like it, and likewise a lower level that ascends to the upper level above becomes like it." It's a fascinating concept of mutual influence. When Malkhut ascends to Bina, expelling Bina, Tiferet, and Malkhut, those Sefirot become one with the level below. The upper becomes like the lower.

So, what's the takeaway? Perhaps it's that growth and ascension aren't solitary endeavors. They involve connection, unity, and the willingness to embrace the journey, even when it means temporarily descending to a lower state. By connecting with others and seeking unity, we can all ascend to higher levels of understanding and spiritual fulfillment.

What areas of your life feel "immature" right now, and what connections could you foster to help both yourself and others ascend? It's something to ponder, isn't it?

It has thus been explained that due to the falling of Bina, Tiferet, and Malkhut from their level to the level below, the level is in a state of immaturity, that is, lacking in the lights of the first three, and through the return of Bina, Tiferet, and Malkhut to the level, the level is in a state of maturity, that is, with the filling of the first three vessels with their respective lights.

How the Lower Level Ascends to Its Upper Level 20. By means of this ascent of Malkhut to Bina, the connection and the possibility for the ascent of each lower level to the level above it has been prepared.26This section describes how a lower level can ascend to a higher level. In order for this ascent to take place, there must be an equating of form between the two levels (recall that in spiritual matters, an equating of form means connection and unification). Through the process of feminine waters which will be explained more extensively, the Malkhut leaves its position within Bina. This removal of Malkhut allows the displaced sefirot of Bina, Tiferet and Malkhut of the higher level (the ones displaced by the ascent of Malkhut to Bina) to return to their higher place (the state of maturity). The important point added in this section is that while these displaced sefirot were in the lower state, they united with the sefirot of that lower level. When they subsequently return to their higher state, they remain united with those sefirot of the lower level, and they pull those isefirot up with them. Thus, the ascent of feminine waters allows lower levels of existence to be elevated to higher levels. This elevated state further allows those lower levels to access amounts of supernal light and brains that would otherwise have been restricted to them in their lower state. For there is a rule that an upper level which descends to the lower level below becomes like it, and likewise a lower level that ascends to the upper level above becomes like it. Therefore, when the level is in a state of immaturity – that is, when the terminating Malkhut ascends to Bina, expelling Bina, Tiferet, and Malkhut from that level to the level below it – those sefirot of Bina, Tiferet, and Malkhut become one level with the level below it since the upper level that descends to the level below becomes like the lower level.