Synopsis
This book is not an essay on the Qabbalah nor a historical study on its origins, but a synthetic presentation in the form of sutra-aphorisms in order to be able to comprehend and realize its teaching. The expression 'Ehjeh 'Aser 'Ehjeh, which means: I am That I am, or Being is Being, represents the knowledge by identity. Therefore the Qabbalah, like any other traditional doctrine, does not constitute a simple learned knowledge but life experience. The symbol of the Qabbalah is the Sephirothic Tree in which are are summed up the indefinite expressive possibilities (Sephiroth) of the micro and macrocosm, beyond which there is the sphere of Ain Soph Aur (Absolute) which corresponds to the One-without-a-second (advaita), the unqualified Brahman (nirguna) of the Vedanta doctrine. In view of the fact that the Qabbalah represents a complete teaching, above all RAPHAEL brings to light its metaphysical sphere (Ain Soph Aur) and the pathway taking to it: the Pathway of Fire. That is the Pathway that each disciple, to whatever branch he may belong to, must travel in order to realize the identity with his own Essence. It is the Middle Way or the Way of the Arrow , the operative way par excellence which unfolds along the central pillar of the Sephirothic Tree. Raphael gives us the key to a right approach to the Pathway of Fire , which is also present in the Qabbalah, and says: «... Leave behind the verbose and discursive thinking and open wide the doors to pure reason. The Pathway of Fire is not something that can be learned but grasped through the bolt of intuition, comprehension of heart and identification of consciousness»
About the Author
Having attained a synthesis of Knowledge (with which eclecticism or syncretism are not to be confused), RAPHAEL aims at presenting the Universal Tradition in its many Eastern and Western expressions. He has spent a substantial number of years writing and publishing books on spiritual experience and his works include commentaries on the Qabbalah, Hermeticism and Alchemy. He has also commented on and compared the Orphic Tradition with the works of Plato, Parmenides and Plotinus. Furthermore, Raphael is the author of several books on the pathway of non-duality (Advaita), which he has translated from the original Sanskrit, offering commentaries on a number of key Vedantic texts. With reference to Platonism, Raphael has highlighted the fact that, if we were to draw a parallel between Sankara s Advaita Vedanta and a Traditional Western Philosophical Vision, we could refer to the Vision presented by Plato. Drawing such a parallel does not imply a search for reciprocal influences, but rather it points to something of paramount importance: a sole Truth, inherent in the doctrines and teachings of several great thinkers, who although far apart in time and space, have reached similar and in some cases even identical conclusions. One notices how Raphael s writes from a metaphysical perspective in order to manifest and underscore the Unity of Tradition, under the metaphysical perspective. This does not mean that he is in opposition to a dualistic perspective, or to the various religious faiths, or points of view . A true embodied metaphysical Vision cannot be opposed to anything. What is important for Raphael is the unveiling, through living and being, of that level of Truth which one has been able to contemplate. Writing in the light of the Unity of Tradition Raphael s works present, calling on the reader s intuition, precise points of correspondence between Eastern and Western Teachings. These points of reference are useful for those who want to approach a comparative doctrinal study and to enter the spirit of the Unity of Teaching. For those who follow either an Eastern or a Western traditional line these correspondences help us comprehend how the Philosophia Perennis (Universal Tradition), which has no history and has not been formulated by human minds as such, «comprehends universal truths that do not belong to any people or any age». It is only for lack of comprehension or of synthetic vision that one particular Branch is considered the only reliable one. Such a position can but lead to opposition and fanaticism. What can degenerate the Doctrine is either a sentimental, fanatical devotion or condescending intellectualism, which is critical and sterile, dogmatic and separative. In Raphael s words: «For those of us who aim at Realization, our task is to get to the essence of every Doctrine, because we know that just as Truth is one, so Tradition is one even if, just like Truth, Tradition may be viewed from a plurality of apparently different points of view. We must abandon all disquisitions concerning the phenomenal process of becoming, and move onto the plane of Being. In other words: we must have a Philosophy of Being as the foundation of our search and of our realization». Raphael interprets spiritual practice as a Path of Fire . Here is what he writes: «...The Path of Fire is the pathway each disciple follows in all branches of Tradition; it is the Way of Return. Therefore, it is not the particular teaching of an individual nor a path parallel to the one and only Main Road... After all, every disciple follows his own Path of Fire , no matter which Branch of Tradition he belongs to». In Raphael s view, what is important is to express through living and being the truth that one has been able to contemplate.
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