Tsimtsum:
Spiritual - Theosophy
Dictionary on
Tsimtsum
Tsimtsum (Chaldean) [from the verbal root tsaman to contract, press together]
Contraction; a Qabbalistic term containing the philosophical idea of a previous expansion -- otherwise there could have been no subsequent contraction. Hence, tsimtsum is used to designate centrifugal and centripetal motion, expansion and contraction, which under the direction of the supreme of the Sephiroth brought forth and maintains the universe.
"The Unknown Absolute, above all number, manifested Itself through an emanation in which it was immanent yet as to which it was transcendental. It first withdrew Itself into Itself, to form an infinite Space, the Abyss; which It then filled with a modified and gradually diminishing Light or Vitalization, first appearing in the Abyss, as the centre of a mathematical point which gradually spread Its Life-giving energy or force throughout all Space. This concentration or contraction and its expansion, being the centripetal and centrifugal energies of creation and existence, the Qabbalists called Tzimtzum. The Will of Ain Soph then manifests Itself through the Ideal Perfect Model or Vitalizing Form, first principle and perfect prototype in idea, of all the to be created, whether spiritual or material. This is the Mikrokosm to the Ain Soph, the Makrokosm as to all the created. It is called the Son of Elohim, i.e., God, and the Adam Illa-ah or Adam Qadmon, the Man of the East or Heavenly Adam" (Myer, Qabbalah p. 231).
This idea is analogous to the Hindu inbreathing and outbreathing of Brahma.
Tsimtsum is stated to be particularly active in the third `olam or lowest triad of the Sephirothal Cosmic Tree -- each Sephirothal Tree is divided into a set of three triads, called respectively 1) intelligible or intellectual world; 2) formative or paradigmatic world; and 3) the natural world. It is in this last triad of Sephiroth, called `olam ham-Muteba`, where tsimtsum is specifically active.
(See also: Tsimtsum , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary,
Body mind and Soul)
Tsimtsum:
Spiritual - Theosophy
Dictionary on
Tsimtsum
Tsimtsum (Chaldean) [from the verbal root tsaman to contract, press together]
Contraction; a Qabbalistic term containing the philosophical idea of a previous expansion -- otherwise there could have been no subsequent contraction. Hence, tsimtsum is used to designate centrifugal and centripetal motion, expansion and contraction, which under the direction of the supreme of the Sephiroth brought forth and maintains the universe.
"The Unknown Absolute, above all number, manifested Itself through an emanation in which it was immanent yet as to which it was transcendental. It first withdrew Itself into Itself, to form an infinite Space, the Abyss; which It then filled with a modified and gradually diminishing Light or Vitalization, first appearing in the Abyss, as the centre of a mathematical point which gradually spread Its Life-giving energy or force throughout all Space. This concentration or contraction and its expansion, being the centripetal and centrifugal energies of creation and existence, the Qabbalists called Tzimtzum. The Will of Ain Soph then manifests Itself through the Ideal Perfect Model or Vitalizing Form, first principle and perfect prototype in idea, of all the to be created, whether spiritual or material. This is the Mikrokosm to the Ain Soph, the Makrokosm as to all the created. It is called the Son of Elohim, i.e., God, and the Adam Illa-ah or Adam Qadmon, the Man of the East or Heavenly Adam" (Myer, Qabbalah p. 231).
This idea is analogous to the Hindu inbreathing and outbreathing of Brahma.
Tsimtsum is stated to be particularly active in the third `olam or lowest triad of the Sephirothal Cosmic Tree -- each Sephirothal Tree is divided into a set of three triads, called respectively 1) intelligible or intellectual world; 2) formative or paradigmatic world; and 3) the natural world. It is in this last triad of Sephiroth, called `olam ham-Muteba`, where tsimtsum is specifically active.
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For articles
related to Tsimtsum , see: Tsimtsum , Occultism, Occultism Dictionary,
Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul.
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Definition
of Tsimtsum is extracted from the home
page of The Theosophical Society, International Headquarters, Pasadena,
California. A Society founded in 1875 in an effort to promote the expressed
awareness of the Oneness of Life.
"The Encyclopedic
Theosophical Glossary is presented to the public as a work in progress. The
manuscript, produced originally in the 1930s and '40s, is currently being
revised and expanded by the Editorial Committee. Theosophical University Press
is presenting this working version online because, even in its present
unfinished form, we feel that the contents will be of value to students of
theosophical literature, particularly of the works of H. P. Blavatsky. "
BCW - H. P. Blavatsky: Collected
Writings, BG -
Bhagavad-Gita, BP
- Bhagavata Purana, cf - confer, ChU - Chandogya Upanishad , Dial, Dialogues - The Dialogues of G. de
Purucker, ed. A. L. Conger, Echoes - Echoes from the Orient, by William Q. Judge (comp.
Dara Eklund),
Tsimtsum , ET - The Esoteric Tradition, by G. de
Purucker, FSO
- Fountain-Source of Occultism, by G. de Purucker, Fund - Fundamentals of the Esoteric
Philosophy, by G. de Purucker, IU - Isis Unveiled, by H. P. Blavatsky, MB - Mahabharata , MIE - Man in
Evolution, by G. de Purucker, Tsimtsum , ML
- The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett, ed. A. Trevor Barker, OG - Occult
Glossary, by G. de Purucker, Rev - Revelations, RV - Rig Veda , SD - The Secret Doctrine, by H. P.
Blavatsky, SOPh
- Studies in Occult Philosophy, by G. de Purucker, TBL - Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge
(Secret Doctrine Commentary), by H. P. Blavatsky, TG - Theosophical Glossary, by H. P.
Blavatsky, Tsimtsum ,
Theos - The Theosophist (magazine), VP - Vishnu Purana , VS - The Voice of the Silence, by H. P.
Blavatsky, WG
- Working Glossary, by William Q. Judge, ZA - Zend-Avesta
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