Kabbalah

Psychics tend to incorporate many forms of new ages and teachings into counseling a crisis. Kabbalah is another tool that can be used in trying to uncover life's hidden truths.

Kabbalah means to receive Light from the creator. Two thousand years ago, the most important teachings of Kabbalah, termed the Zohar, was revealed in Israel by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. This contained information on how the universe works from 2000 years previous. This came to Abraham, and passed down to Moses. It is all contained in the 5 books of Moses, which form the Zohar. The Zohar is the centerpiece of Kabbalah. The Kabbalah lineage kept it relevant.

For centuries, Kabbalah was only made available to married Jewish males over the age of 40. It was forbidden to anyone else. Initially created completely within just the realm of Judaism, Kabbalists generally use classical Jewish resources to describe and demonstrate its esoteric teachings. These teachings were held by followers in Judaism to define the internal meaning of the Hebrew Bible known as the Torah, and standard Rabbinic literature known as the Talmud.

Kabbalists consider its earliest origins predate earth religions, and are pivotal in the foundations forming the blueprint for philosophies, religions, sciences, arts, and political systems. The concept is that before God created the physical world in six days, there was a first thought. It is from within that thought that consciousness stems.

Kabbalah emerged following earlier varieties of Jewish mysticism in 12^th to 13^th century in Southern France and Spain. It was popularized as an internal teaching of Hasidic Judaism from the 18^th century onwards. Twentieth-century interest in Kabbalah has inspired cross-denominational Jewish renewal and contributed to wider non-Jewish contemporary spirituality.

One can spend a few lifetimes to understand authentic Kabbalah. There are numerous volumes of material written on the Zohar, Talmud, Torah, the Bible, and other interpretations that it is difficult to choose what to study.

The Ten Sefirot in the process of creation describes all the worlds. This can be quite technical. For our simplified purpose, one can make a parallel to the 10 planets (one would have to include either the sun or moon). Also, if we look at the 7 days which God performed creation, we can equate it to the 7 chakras.

Today, there is controversy with 2 schools of thought about Kabbalah, its authenticity, how it’s taught, and the reason for its teaching.

Both schools agree that studying Kabbalah will fill the individual with revelatory light. At the same time, from a new age or spiritual prospective, it will reduce one’s stress level, as it will center a person. A word of wisdom needs to be applied to this too. Being consistent to any practice, whether its yoga, religion, meditation, prayer, etc. will also center a person.

The 2 schools of Kabbalah studies clash because of the commercialism that has caused the Kabbalah to become a source of income for many individuals and institutions. For example, there is the Kabbalah Centre which has become popular over the years because of Madonna’s interest in the Kabbalah. This is a more westernized, commercialized version of the Kabbalah.

Authentic Kabbalah does not have a red string, sell Kabbalah water, or mix Kabbalah with self-help books, astrology, psychology, Judaism, Catholicism, or other spiritual/philosophical movements. Each of these pursuits are fascinating in themselves and should be given the proper credit where due. It is in my humble belief that the Kabbalah Centre should call themselves a new age center focusing on ideas taught in the Kabbalah because it is not the traditional Kabbalah of history.

If one is truly interested in spiritual growth, they should not be influenced by the current “fad” religion courted by Hollywood. Celebrity interest in Kabbalah started with Madonna sporting a red string. In no time, the Kabbalah became a commercial success for many.

In the traditional Kabbalah, it is best to be taught by an educated scholar. It is very technical and it is easy to get lost in the material. Kabbalah has its own jargon and ways of belief that may challenge current perceptions. It is like studying a new language.

What prospective students must be aware of is the institutions that are only interested in making money off the current popularity of Kabbalistic teaching. There is nothing wrong with an institution charging tuition. After all, rent, air conditioning, heating, water, and electric utilities need to be paid. However, any organization spends a lot of time and money on international marketing campaigns touting its educational abilities needs to be approached carefully. Stating promises that studying their principles will help you draw the perfect career, soul mate, and bring ete al happiness may sound too good to be true. This isn’t isolated to just the Kabbalah – it happens with many other organizations outside of the areas of religion, spirituality and philosophy. The goal of all institutions and teachers offering personal growth should be that the individual will hopefully become more centered and possibly more in peace, so that they might make a better life for himself as he would be educated to make better choices.

Kabbalah is an elaborate and beautiful study that helps one find some more peace in life. This is a goal that can be obtained by finding a spirituality, religion, philosophy of life, etc. that works for you, which is something that I encourage. However, before investing time and money into any institution, verify its offerings and do appropriate research so you go into the practice without doubt and with eyes open.

Professionally, my studies in Kabbalah have helped develop my counseling skills for my readings. Though I was offering readings prior to my studies, I have developed more knowledge and experience in new age, meditation, spirituality, and surely Kabbalah. This additional knowledge has broadened my counseling abilities, especially when helping clients in a time of crisis.