Adam Kadmon, the primordial cosmic human
Adam Kadmon is the cosmic man, the first being created by God
"Adam Kadmon and the Sephirotic Tree"
Digital illustration generated and composed © Editions Prosveta S.A.
(click to zoom)
'The Tree of Life is the universe in which God dwells and which is impregnated with his life. It represents the divine life that flows throughout creation. And human beings, who were created in the image of God, are also an image of the universe.
Of course, when we see how most human beings behave, we cannot help thinking that they do not reflect a very glorious image. True, human beings seem to be nothing at all, and yet each one is the whole universe, each one is God. Human intelligence is only capable of comprehending a three-dimensional world; it cannot grasp all the aspects of a human being. What we can see, touch and hear is only a very small part of reality. We do not know the true person, only his or her outer wrappings.
When the Cabbalah speaks of the creation of humans, it is not speaking of human beings as they are today. It is speaking about Adam Kadmon, whose name means ‘primordial human’ (Adam, ‘human’, and Kadmon, ‘primordial’). Adam Kadmon is the cosmic human, whose body is formed by the constellations and worlds – the first being created by God. God is beyond the created universe, beyond the sephirah, Kether, and Adam begins in Kether; Kether is the head of Adam Kadmon. Chokmah is the right eye and the right side of the face; Binah, the left eye and the left side of the face; Chesed, the right arm; Geburah, the left arm; Tiphareth, the heart and solar plexus; Netzach, the right leg; Hod, the left leg; Yesod, the sexual organs and Malkuth, the feet. Adam Kadmon is the archetype of which we are a cell, a reflection.
I could draw a parallel between Adam Kadmon and the entity whom Christians call the Christ, which would show you how they relate to each other, but I hesitate to do so for fear of upsetting you.
Whatever we can say about humans is only an approximation of the truth, just as it is for God. This is why we need to have recourse to images, symbols and analogies.
By studying the sephirotic Tree, which is a reflection of the universe, we can begin to understand the true dimensions of the human being. Conversely, we can have some idea of the universe if we understand that humans were created in its image. In other words, by studying humans, their nature and functions, we shall get to know the universe, because all that is in the universe is reflected in them.
To find the answer to even the most abstract philosophical questions, all you need to do is observe the human being.'
"And He drew a circle above the abyss..."
Digital illustration generated and composed © Éditions Prosveta S.A.
(click to zoom)
"Adam Kadmon and the Sephirotic Tree"
Digital illustration generated and composed © Editions Prosveta S.A.
(click to zoom)
'The Tree of Life is the universe in which God dwells and which is impregnated with his life. It represents the divine life that flows throughout creation. And human beings, who were created in the image of God, are also an image of the universe.
Of course, when we see how most human beings behave, we cannot help thinking that they do not reflect a very glorious image. True, human beings seem to be nothing at all, and yet each one is the whole universe, each one is God. Human intelligence is only capable of comprehending a three-dimensional world; it cannot grasp all the aspects of a human being. What we can see, touch and hear is only a very small part of reality. We do not know the true person, only his or her outer wrappings.
When the Cabbalah speaks of the creation of humans, it is not speaking of human beings as they are today. It is speaking about Adam Kadmon, whose name means ‘primordial human’ (Adam, ‘human’, and Kadmon, ‘primordial’). Adam Kadmon is the cosmic human, whose body is formed by the constellations and worlds – the first being created by God. God is beyond the created universe, beyond the sephirah, Kether, and Adam begins in Kether; Kether is the head of Adam Kadmon. Chokmah is the right eye and the right side of the face; Binah, the left eye and the left side of the face; Chesed, the right arm; Geburah, the left arm; Tiphareth, the heart and solar plexus; Netzach, the right leg; Hod, the left leg; Yesod, the sexual organs and Malkuth, the feet. Adam Kadmon is the archetype of which we are a cell, a reflection.
I could draw a parallel between Adam Kadmon and the entity whom Christians call the Christ, which would show you how they relate to each other, but I hesitate to do so for fear of upsetting you.
Whatever we can say about humans is only an approximation of the truth, just as it is for God. This is why we need to have recourse to images, symbols and analogies.
By studying the sephirotic Tree, which is a reflection of the universe, we can begin to understand the true dimensions of the human being. Conversely, we can have some idea of the universe if we understand that humans were created in its image.
In other words, by studying humans, their nature and functions, we shall get to know the universe, because all that is in the universe is reflected in them.
To find the answer to even the most abstract philosophical questions, all you need to do is observe the human being.'
"And He drew a circle above the abyss..."
Digital illustration generated and composed © Éditions Prosveta S.A.
(click to zoom)
Text taken from the book "Angels and Other Mysteries of the Tree of Life", chap. 11 "The body of Adam Kadmon".
Angels and other Mysteries of The Tree of Life
