We continue our study of the Sefer Yetzirah finding out the relationships between different kinds of thought that bring forth the images of projection that are those graven images within.
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Sefer Yetzirah 3:5
Three Mothers AMSh in the Year are the hot the cold and the temperate.
The hot is created from fire. The cold is created from water And the temperate, from Breath,
decides between them.
In the verse above the three Mothers, Aleph, Mem and Shin are compared to the hot, the cold and the temperate. The hot refers to our emotions, the cold to our intellect and the deciding factor called the temperate is the blending of the two hot and cold. When a sword is forged in fire and shaped it is cooled in water to harden and the result is an in between state of balance resulting in the finished sword.
In meditation we visualize and ‘engrave the image’ in terms of our focus and intention.
Engraving the image squarely and firmly within your Consciousness is a process that must be considered from all angles. Like any picture that we draw and then step back from the light that reaches this image colors our perception of it. The key parameter here is our focus both in imagining this image and in remembering it afterwards. The true test of the efficacy of such image making is its power to remain with us despite all intervening associations which may occur. In order to make sure that this does in fact truly occur the following steps are to be taken.
The primary course of action to take is to first of all make sure the image is securely fixed in your mind’s eye. This means that every detail imaginable should be thought out so that you can define this image from a distance as well as from a close detailed inspection. Special attention can be focused upon first the periphery of the image defining its edges and the places where it interacts within your Consciousness. Then as we move from the outer edge into the central theme of the image we are then able to richly dress this image with all of its appropriate appurtenances.
Now once you are at the center of the image imagine everything that must be surrounding it. What are the spin offs the correlations the correspondences that you envision coming into being. Spend some time here awakening these areas of integration seeing the lines that network these consequences with their antecedent first source image making that is coming to be.
While all of this is going on simultaneously continue your initial engraving efforts operating with a renewed sense of connection. This connection allows you to focus on the image and to correct any subtle shifts that may occur along the way. It is because of these corrections that the mirror of mind has to be polished from time to time in order to bring out the clearest possible image. When the image is reflected upon in its unclouded state the work of envisioning may continue with an even greater degree of purpose going forward.
Remember that once the image is engraved it will continue to make its own inroads carrying on the work via the momentum established during the initial engraving which is why it is so important to apply your focus diligently the first time around making sure to put both your attention (the cold) and emotion (the hot)into the making of this inner guide for your developing awareness.
This threefold process of awakening the vision within takes practice and a commitment to follow through. The awareness of this process is in itself a tool that makes possible these very engravings that we are intending to promote. In Kabbalah we always seek the meanings behind the symbols that are going to directly relate to our Consciousness. In this way we unify the higher wisdom with our own understanding and can then proceed from this point of connection. B”H
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