WORK OF CREATION

Ma'aseh Bereshit, the Work of Creation is mentioned in the Talmud and in hushed tones throughout the subsequent history of Jewish mysticism. The original details of this mystical technique have been lost over the centuries, but myths and legends abound. However, one thing we do know from the long history of Kabbalah is that many methods and practices change over the years. Techniques that were appropriate for one generation may not be so apropo for another, and in today's world, anything that is so powerful that it can magically create a living animal each week, as some Talmudic rabbis were alleged to have done, is likely to be abused more than used. Thus, let me talk about the Work of Creation from my own understanding in terms that are both safe and practical for the world of today.

All creation must go through the same five stages before mainfesting in physical reality. We must first have the will to do something creative. This sets the stage for the creative moment, the "aha" moment to occur. Next, we have to express that "aha" as a thought. We then begin the more tedious process of refining and developing that thought. Finally, when the blueprint is complete, the physical manifestation can occur. Six days of the week, we are allowed to engage in creative activity. To reiterate, the actual process of creation is a flow from the world of Adam Kadmon, will, to Asiyah, the world of doing. Our work begins at the very highest level in the world of Adam Kadmon with the will to do something creative. Following the will to do is the moment of "aha" when we suddenly realize what we will do. This takes place in the world of Atzilut, the world of nearness. The initial "aha" experience is without words, but when we clothe that inspiration in words, we bring the creative experience down to the level of Beriyah, the world of creation. After the creation has been given some initial form, it is brought down further to the world of Yetzirah, the world of formation, where the form is played around with and refined until the final version is ready. Finally, from Yetzirah, the world of formation, the blueprint is made concrete in physical reality and it becomes a "real" thing in the world of Asiyah, the world of doing.

Creation is a process of something from nothing, but we never get something for nothing. In other words, if you want to grow or be more prosperous, then you have to put forth the effort. Don't expect to get rich by just visualizing money coming to you without any effort on your part. The universe is not a free ride, and we all have to pay our bills sooner or later.

Six days of the week we create, and on the seventh day we rest. For a beautiful description of the creative process, look also at the following passage from the Zohar.