Additional information
by Rav Yehuda Ashlag (Author), Rav Michael Berg (Commentator)
Origins of Consciousness Volume One and Two include the complete English translation of the Hebrew Volumes One and Two of Rav Ashlag's study of the Ten Luminous Emanations, as well as commentary and explanation by Rav Michael Berg. For over two decades, Rav Michael Berg has explained in depth this study that represents, the most powerful Kabbalistic teachings, on the Origins of Creation and our physical world and the purpose of life.
Volume Two develops the concepts found in Volume One in greater depth and continues to discuss the chronology of the next steps in Creation.
It discusses the stages that formed the Creation of the Worlds, making a distinction between two types of Vessels: the Circular Vessel of the Endless World before Tzimtzum (the Contraction); and the Linear Vessel after the Tzimtzum.
Contraction essentially means the Light withdrew. And after the Light withdrew, there was an introduction of Light that was channeled through a Straight Line (Kav). Within the Light of the Line there is a structure called the Sefirot of the Line. The Straight Line indicates being on a straight path. Meaning the importance of being precise, of not veering right or left. Justice is the governing force in the system of the Line. This is the realm of Tikkun and it is where we do our spiritual work.
What Rav Michael Berg makes clear in his commentary in Volume Two is that it is the Desire to Receive that draws the Light down, and it is the Desire to Share or the resistance of that receiving, that returns the Light back up. It is a drawing down of Light via desire, and a reflection of the Light, a pushing back, through a total effort, a total sharing, only for the sake of the Creator, for the sake of others that creates the Line. This is why the Line represents our entire spiritual work, which is developing a Desire to Receive for the Sake of Sharing. A Vessel can only become full of Light through the process of Receiving for the Sake of Sharing.
It is important to note that Volume Two emphasizes the understanding that every Sefirah (Emanation) includes within it all Ten Sefirot, ad infinitum. This interconnectedness teaches us something extremely valuable about our world and our life. Every single one of us is interconnected, and in every single aspect of our life, we have the energy of the Ten Sefirot-in business, in relationships, in our health. When studying the Origins of Consciousness Volume Two, we are not learning abstract ideas but drawing down energy into every single part of our life, and that every single part is included in everything.
