DEBRIEFING
What do we know?
1. The circle world is not just a particular arrangement of sefirot, but an entire worldview and value frame. It regards every soul as a unique entity, incalculably complex, intrinsically worthy, which fulfills an absolutely necessary and irreproducible function in the universe. In the circle world, every soul is equally beloved to HaShem and there is no hierarchy of greatness between them.
2. The hierarchies and rankings of the linear (rectified) world are time-limited and partial truths. The non-hierarchical, circle perspective will ultimately prevail as the final word.
3. Our sojourn in the linear-rectified world, laboring beneath its yoke of narrow judgements and partial truths, serves an absolutely critical function. By pressing out the full potential of each soul, it prepares light-vessels that will, for the first time in the history of the universe, be able to absorb and integrate circle-world consciousness.
4. Miryam’s circle world lights were brought down through dance, and in particular, a circle dance. It is known that in the higher states of consciousness described by kabbala, the entire body becomes an instrument of awareness. Their state of “knowing” permeates every cell and cannot be confined to the organs of brain and mind. Similarly here, the vessel that Miryam employed to draw circle lights into the world possessed two features:
a) It required bodily participation, in the form of dance.
b) It needed to be a collective effort. No individual can stretch sufficiently to contain circle consciousness fully. A proper vessel for this purpose must integrate the capacities of a multitude of souls, in this case, the women.
5. Miryam and the women were able to access these lights of higher consciousness while Moshe, the greatest prophet that ever lived, could not.
Logical Implications and Speculations
1. The fact that Miryam and the women were able to access these lights of higher consciousness while Moshe, the greatest prophet that ever lived, could not implies that the particular knowledge that comes from the circle world may be more accessible to women than men.
2. What does one do with this information? How does one balance the conflict of perspective between the linear and circular worlds? Wisdom requires:
a) An awareness of both orientations, and a true appreciation of their respective merits.
b) An understanding of their sequence of applicability, and the position of one’s own generation along that timeline. It seems that we are currently in the linear phase of history, though fast approaching the era when circular truths will begin to take precedence.
c) It is said about the perspectives of Hillel and Shamai, [31] “these and these are true words of the living G‑d yet the opinions of Hillel should be followed as practical halacha” in this period of history (except with minor exceptions). Similarly here, wisdom requires that one affirm both truths and yet lean toward linear-world values when making practical decisions. Yet, also here, one must recognize exceptions to the rule, situations that call for the emphasis of circle values in their practical decision. (The very capacity to contact the unique features of a moment and identify it as an exception is itself a circle-world skill.)
d) Kabbala teaches that in the messianic period Shammai’s opinions will become more relevant than Hillel’s and we will rule according to his conclusions.[32] Similarly in the transition from lines to circles, wisdom requires that one be attuned to this shifting, and make decisions accordingly.
3. Why is the circle era considered an unrectified world on the way down (and so it shattered) while on the way up it is a super-rectified world, even more so than our present universe, that is actually titled the rectified world?
As explained, circle consciousness includes the appreciation of each soul as an absolutely perfect, unique, and intrinsically worthy entity. This awareness has a different affect on souls as they are “coming down” versus going up.
On the way down, souls are just bundles of potential waiting to be actualized. If circle consciousness were to rule, a soul, even in its unactualized state, would be appreciated as already perfect, “as just fine the way it is.” There is not much incentive to engage in the grueling labor of self-development when the message from every direction is, “You’re so beautiful. You are already perfect exactly the way you are.” Consequently the danger in a world where circle values rule, is that growth and actualization will not happen, for there is nothing to be gained by the effort. One is already basking in unconditional positive regard.
Consequently on the way down, the circle world was unrectified, for the urgent mission of soul-actualization could not happen to its full extent within an exclusively circular frame. And so it shattered, to be replaced by the rectified, linear world of hierarchies and coercive growth incentives. With all its failings; its half-truths, and narrow-minded judgements, the work gets done, potential does get actualized, and the results speak for themselves.
Gradually, throughout the entire six-millenium history of the rectified world, circle consciousness (via the partzuf woman) has been slowly infiltrating the larger cultural milieu. The seven-stage sequence outlined by the Ari describes this progression.
At first circle values were hardly visible, and only recently have they built a momentum and accumulated a substantial presence. Now, in this post-modern era of democracy, psychology, new age spirituality, and human rights awareness, circle lights are fast approaching their full stature, and exerting a profound impact on the conceptual paradigms of contemporary history.
Once our potential has been actualized, and humanity has become the best they can possibly be, the most rectified perspective and the truest attitude is that informed by circle values. Every soul really is the best and most beloved. Each fulfills an absolutely unique and critical function and shines with incomparable beauty. It is impossible, to rank them, silly even, for there are as many standards of excellence as there are souls. Each sits at the top of the scale that measures its specialty.
The purpose of the-world-to-come is different from this world. Here, now, is the work-phase of history. There, will be the reaping of reward, the ecstasy of an ever deepening relationship with HaShem. The expanded vision of the circle-world is exactly what will facilitate the full realization of our individual and collective beauty, enabling us to enter a deeper level of intimacy with HaShem and not shatter from the force of His Infinite Light.
Furthermore, circle consciousness on the way up, is actually an integration of both linear and circular paradigms that together form the vessel that can hold infinite blessing.
4. The sefira of malchut (and its partzuf woman) can be characterized as a splinter of light from the circle era that dropped into the rectified world, and as it fell it imploded, until it hit bottom as a densely compacted knot of unactualized potential. The seven stages of woman’s development become the path by which this splinter of circle light reconstitutes itself and integrates its profound awareness into the linear world which it eventually supplants as the prevailing ideology.
5. In the Ari’s seven-stage sequence of woman’s development, the latter stages describe a phase whereby woman comes into her “brains.” It is clear that woman’s brains will be different from man’s for their specialty is circle truths. All disciplines and areas of study will benefit from incorporating the enriched and expanded perspective of circle awareness into their thought patterns and problem-solving paradigms.
