I’ve caught up with the postings of the series. You don’t need any comments from me to enjoy them although being the master bloviator that I am I’m sure I will hardly be able to resist. Don’t miss the links to Sledge’s bibliography and the slides in the video text. All available for download.
This concludes Justin Sledge’s online seminar about Merkabah mysticism. (He has lots of other good videos as well at his Esoterica channel concerning aspects of Western occultism.) I will rewatch before I make any comments but what I’ve seen so far is pretty cool. I first approached the subject haphazardly and it’s very helpful to have a focused, guided tour. Don’t forget to check out the course materials included at the links in the video text which include some downloadable recommended texts and Sledge’s course slides. At some point I will list some books that I found helpful which Sledge did not include.
Merkavah is a great example of how cosmogonical motifs diffuse into the transcendant experience. Mystics draw upon internal temporal manifestations of their subconscious to decorate the spiritual journey of henosis with familiar furnishings to lessen anxiety…the throne chariot, visions of a royal court, etc. are features that obscure and prevent authentic integration with the divine consciousness. True integration with the divine consciousness requires the embrace of nothingness.
joetherob said
Merkavah is a great example of how cosmogonical motifs diffuse into the transcendant experience. Mystics draw upon internal temporal manifestations of their subconscious to decorate the spiritual journey of henosis with familiar furnishings to lessen anxiety…the throne chariot, visions of a royal court, etc. are features that obscure and prevent authentic integration with the divine consciousness. True integration with the divine consciousness requires the embrace of nothingness.
Hi Joe, if you’re new to the forum, welcome.
Is it “nothingness,” or nothing visible or temporal, that you are referring to?
Joe, welcome! Sounds like like you might be disciple of the great Buddhist sage, Nāgārjuna, who taught śūnyatā (“voidness”, or, “emptiness”), which means that all things are empty of svabhāva (inherent existence, intrinsic nature).
One of the aspects of Merkabah that most fascinates me is that it is a communal mysticism, meaning that one does not have one’s own unique, personal experience. There are pre-ordained paths that one must prepare oneself for before embarking on the journey.
I seem to have left this thread hanging. Too bad since this is an area of ongoing interest.
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