Steps to Creativity (the Sephirot)

The kabbalistic model of creative process, both Divine and human, is depicted by ten sephirot with twenty-two pathways linking them. It is called a “Tree of Life.” It was crystallized by Rabbi Isaac Luria, known as The Ari, and his circle in the Galilee Mountain town of Tzfat in the sixteenth century. (Alexenberg, Melvin L. . Through A Bible Lens (p. 49). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition)

In his Through A Bible Lens, and Photographing God, Melvin Alexenberg urges us to fulfill our God given capabilities as creative individuals. In both books, Alexenberg uses his own experience with his Cyberangels as a personal  example of the kabbalistic model of the creative process. What follows is an elaboration of his presentation of both the kabbalistic and his own model of the creative process, an elaboration that hopefully points to and guides our own.

An artist, educator, writer working at the interface between art, science, technology and Jewish consciousness, Mel Alexenberg has evolved cyberangels as an expression of that interface. He describes their origin: “In celebration of Miami’s centennial, I digitized an angel drawn by Rembrandt and sent it flying between the four corners of the USA. The single angel image was deconstructed and routed through cyberspace between Miami and San Diego, along multiple pathways. When the data packets reached San Diego, they were reassembled in the correct sequence, based on the ID numbers that were assigned in Miami.”(Through A Bible Lens (p. 51). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.)

As shown in the illustrations above, these cyberangels are depicted on the cover of Through a Bible Lens and in commemoration of other events.

Both the Kabbalistic and Alexenberg models of the creative process are set against the ten sephirot commonly depicted as elements on the tree of life. As shown is the diagram below, each of the ten spheres is labelled and connected to other spheres. There are 22 connections within the tree, each representing a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

https://throughabiblelens.blogspot.com

Basic Explanation of the 10 Sefiros

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Melvin Alexenberg leads us through his cyberangel creative process using a path through each of the ten kabbalistic sephirot.

To get an initial sense, you should read Mel Alexenberg’s own words through the ten Sephirot, then come back to the first to delve into each step in the creative process. As you do follow the path described in the diagram of the tree of life.

The Ten Sephirot as Suggested by Mel Alexenberg

Keter

The first stage in the creative process is the sephirah Crown (Keter)—the will to create coupled with faith that one can create, and anticipation that the creative process is pleasurable. Without this intention, self-confidence, and hope for gratification, the creative process has no beginning. (Through A Bible Lens (pp. 77-78). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.)

Halacha of awareness

Hokhmah

Crown sets the stage for the sephirah of Wisdom (Hokhmah) that requires a selfless state, nullification of the ego that opens gateways to supraconscious and subconscious realms. When active seeking ceases, when consciously preoccupied with unrelated activities, when we least expect it, the germ of the creative idea bursts into our consciousness. This sudden flash of insight is what the kabbalah calls Wisdom.Through A Bible Lens (pp. 77-78). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.

Binah

Like the sperm that is received by the ovum in the womb, the unformed germ of an idea from the sephirah of Wisdom enters into the sephirah of Understanding (Binah).

Together, Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge form the cognitive realm of thoughts. Knowledge both unites Wisdom and Understanding and is the gateway to the next six sephirot that form the affective realm of emotions. Through A Bible Lens (p. 79). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.

Hesed

The fourth sephirah of Compassion (Hesed) is openness to all possibilities. I thought of the hundreds of artistic options open to me in creating computer angels and I loved them all. 

Through A Bible Lens (p. 79). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.

Gevurah

Compassion is counterbalanced by the fifth sephirah of Strength (Gevurah), the strength to set limits, to make judgments, to choose between myriad options. Through A Bible Lens (p. 79). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.

Tiferet

The sixth sephirah of Beauty (Tiferet). This sephirah represents a beautiful balance between the counterforces of Compassion and Strength. It is the feeling of harmony between all my possible options and the choices I had made. Beauty is the aesthetic core of the creative process in which harmonious integration of openness and closure is experienced as deeply felt beauty. Through A Bible Lens (pp. 80-81). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.

Netzah

The seventh sephirah of Success (Netzah) is the feeling of being victorious in the quest for significance. I felt that I had the power to overcome any obstacles that may stand in the way of realizing my artwork. Netzah can also mean “to conduct” or “orchestrate” as in the word that begins many of the Psalms. I had the confidence that I could orchestrate all the aspects of creating a multimedia symphony of computer angels arising from the bowels of New York City. Through A Bible Lens (pp. 81-82). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.

Hod

The eight sephirah of Splendor (Hod) is the glorious feeling that the final shaping of the idea is going so smoothly that it seems as effortless as the splendid movements of a graceful dancer. The sephirah of Success is an active self-confidence in contrast with the sephirah of Splendor, which is a passive confidence born of a trust in Divine providence that “all will be good.” It is the power to advance smoothly with the determination and perseverance born of deep inner commitment. It is the wonderful feeling that all is going as it should. CREATIVE INTEGRATION 

Through A Bible Lens (pp. 81-82). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.

Yeshod

The ninth sephirah of Foundation (Yesod) is the sensuous bonding of Success and Splendor in a union that leads to the birth of the fully formed idea. It funnels the integrated forces of intention, thought, and emotions of the previous eight sephirot into the world of physical action. In Chronicles 1:29, this sephirah is called All or Everything (kol). It channels everything that was playing out in my mind into the craft of making the artwork. It transports my private mental world into a public environmental arena in which I can create a product to communicate my ideas to others.  Through A Bible Lens (pp. 81-82). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.

Malkhut

This tenth sephirah of Kingdom (Malkhut) is the noble realization of my concepts and feelings in the kingdom of time and space. It involves all the practical details that go into physically making an artwork.  Through A Bible Lens (p. 82). Elm Hill. Kindle Edition.

Step by Step through the 10 Sephirot

Initially the process will be highly structured, but over time it will become “second nature”. 

Keter

“The will to create coupled with faith that one can create, and anticipation that the creative process is pleasurable.”

Keter is an openness to be part of the creative process. “I am created bezelem Elohim- In the image of the Creator with the ability to add to the universe.” 

I have eyes to see

I have ears to hear

I have a nose to smell

I have a mouth to taste

I have hands to feel

I have legs to move

I have imagination

I have a mind

I can create

I have created

I will create

I will create so that I can create

Hokhmah

“The germ of the creative idea bursts into our consciousness. This sudden flash of insight is what the kabbalah calls Wisdom.”

Please list here ideas you have had that are yet to be realized.

What projects have you entertained, but rejected?

Binah

“Like the sperm that is received by the ovum in the womb, the unformed germ of an idea from the sephirah of Wisdom enters into the sephirah of Understanding (Binah).”

What would you need to accomplish the ideas you have listed?

Cognitive realm: insight / conceptualization / inquiry    חכמה / בינה

http://www.melalexenberg.com/paper.php?id=13   As I transformed my unformed insight into words to explain my thoughts to her, I entered into the sephirah of Understanding.  All manner of thoughts entered my mind on ways to create computer angels.  The shapeless idea that ignited the process began to take form in the sephirah of Understanding.  Together, Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge form the cognitive realm of thoughts.  Knowledge both unites Wisdom and Understanding and is the gateway to the next six sephirot that form the affective realm of emotions. 

Hesed

“The fourth sephirah of Compassion (Hesed) is openness to all possibilities”

Which of the ideas are the most appealing? Don’t worry yet about practical details. “If I had all the time, resources and materials, I would…”

Gevurah

“The fifth sephirah of Strength (Gevurah), the strength to set limits, to make judgments, to choose between myriad options.”

Here is the decision point.

Tiferet

“The sixth sephirah of Beauty (Tiferet). This sephirah represents a beautiful balance between the counterforces of Compassion and Strength. It is the feeling of harmony between all my possible options and the choices I had made.”

Now that I have made a decision(s) I can get to work.

Netzah

“The seventh sephirah of Success (Netzah) is the feeling of being victorious in the quest for significance. I felt that I had the power to overcome any obstacles that may stand in the way of realizing my artwork.”

Here is a listing of the practical steps..

Hod

“The eight sephirah of Splendor (Hod) is the glorious feeling that the final shaping of the idea is going so smoothly that it seems as effortless as the splendid movements of a graceful dancer. It is the power to advance smoothly with the determination and perseverance born of deep inner commitment. It is the wonderful feeling that all is going as it should.”

I am creating the design, taking steps to realize..

Yeshod

“The ninth sephirah of Foundation (Yesod) is the sensuous bonding of Success and Splendor in a union that leads to the birth of the fully formed idea. It funnels the integrated forces of intention, thought, and emotions of the previous eight sephirot into the world of physical action. In Chronicles 1:29, this sephirah is called All or Everything (kol). It channels everything that was playing out in my mind into the craft of making the artwork.”

My project is taking shape, I am learning about the materials, myself..

Malkhut

“This tenth sephirah of Kingdom (Malkhut) is the noble realization of my concepts and feelings in the kingdom of time and space. It involves all the practical details that go into physically making an artwork.”

As I accomplish my project, I am both humbled and proud.

---

Notebook nlm:

Here is a class exercise following Melvin Alexenberg’s “Steps to Creativity,” based on the kabbalistic model of the ten Sephirot:

This exercise guides participants through a creative process, drawing on the ancient kabbalistic model of the ten Sephirot, or “Tree of Life,” which was crystallized by Rabbi Isaac Luria in the sixteenth century. Mel Alexenberg, an artist, educator, and writer, uses this model to explain both Divine and human creative processes, applying it to his own “Cyberangels” artwork as an example. This exercise encourages you to fulfill your creative capabilities by following his path through each of the ten Sephirot.

Class Exercise: Embarking on Your Creative Journey – A Ten-Step Process

The goal of this exercise is to take a creative idea from its initial spark to a tangible realization, mirroring the stages described by Alexenberg through the Sephirot. While the process is structured initially, the aim is for it to become “second nature”.

Step 1: Keter (Crown) – The Will to Create

• Concept: This first stage embodies the will to create, coupled with the faith that one can create, and the anticipation that the creative process will be pleasurable. It’s about opening yourself to being part of the creative process, recognizing your ability to “add to the universe”.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: Reflect on something you genuinely desire to create. This could be anything from a piece of art, a story, a new skill, or even a solution to a problem.

    ◦ Action: Write down your chosen creative endeavor. Then, in a few sentences, express your self-confidence in undertaking this project and articulate the pleasure or gratification you anticipate from the process. For example, you might start with “I will create [your project] because I believe I have the ability, and I anticipate joy in the process”.

Step 2: Hokhmah (Wisdom) – The Burst of Insight

• Concept: This stage involves a selfless state, nullification of the ego, which opens pathways to receive new ideas. It’s when the germ of the creative idea “bursts into our consciousness” as a sudden flash of insight, often when least expected.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: Without actively forcing it, allow ideas related to your chosen creative endeavor from Step 1 to surface. What initial “flashes of insight” come to mind regarding this project?

    ◦ Action: List any initial, raw ideas or concepts that come to you for your project, even if they seem unformed or impractical. You might consider ideas you’ve had in the past but haven’t yet realized.

Step 3: Binah (Understanding) – Giving Form to the Idea

• Concept: Just as a sperm is received by an ovum, the unformed germ of an idea from Hokhmah enters Binah, where it begins to take form. This is the stage of conceptualization and inquiry, transforming shapeless insight into concrete thoughts and explanations.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: Take one of the “germs of ideas” from your Hokhmah list. How can you begin to give it more shape and definition? What do you need to understand to move forward?

    ◦ Action: Describe your chosen idea in more detail. What are the initial requirements, resources, or knowledge you would need to accomplish this idea? Begin to conceptualize how it might manifest.

Step 4: Hesed (Compassion) – Openness to All Possibilities

• Concept: Hesed represents an openness to all possibilities for your developing idea. It’s about exploring every potential avenue without worrying about practical limitations at this point.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: Imagine you have unlimited time, resources, and materials. How many different ways could your project manifest? What are all the artistic or practical options open to you?

    ◦ Action: Brainstorm and list as many variations, approaches, or directions for your project as you can imagine. Don’t censor any ideas, no matter how wild or impractical they may seem.

Step 5: Gevurah (Strength) – Setting Limits and Making Choices

• Concept: Counterbalancing Hesed, Gevurah is the strength to set limits, make judgments, and choose between the myriad options. This is your decision point.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: From the extensive list of possibilities generated in Hesed, which one, or combination of a few, will you commit to pursuing?

    ◦ Action: Clearly state your decision. Explain why you chose this particular direction over others, demonstrating your strength to narrow down options.

Step 6: Tiferet (Beauty) – Harmonious Balance

• Concept: Tiferet represents a beautiful balance between the openness of Hesed and the limitations of Gevurah. It’s the feeling of harmony between all your possible options and the choices you have made, leading to a deeply felt aesthetic experience.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: Now that you’ve made a decision, how do you feel about the harmony of your choice? How does it integrate openness and closure?

    ◦ Action: Describe the “beauty” of your chosen path. Explain why this specific decision feels balanced, harmonious, and aesthetically pleasing to you, signifying that you are ready to get to work.

Step 7: Netzah (Success) – Overcoming Obstacles

• Concept: Netzah is the feeling of being victorious in the quest for significance and the power to overcome any obstacles. It’s about having the confidence to orchestrate all aspects of realizing your artwork.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: What practical steps are necessary to realize your project? What potential obstacles might arise, and how do you envision overcoming them?

    ◦ Action: Create a detailed listing of the practical steps you need to take to bring your project to fruition. For each step, consider any potential challenges and briefly note how you will address them, demonstrating your confidence to succeed.

Step 8: Hod (Splendor) – Effortless Flow and Perseverance

• Concept: Hod is the glorious feeling that the final shaping of the idea is going so smoothly that it seems effortless, like a graceful dancer’s movements. It’s a passive confidence born of trust, combined with the power to advance smoothly with determination and perseverance due to deep inner commitment.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: How do you anticipate the actual execution of your project unfolding? Describe the feeling of smooth progress and the deep commitment that will sustain you.

    ◦ Action: Describe how you envision the design and creation phase. What specific actions are you taking or planning to ensure a smooth, determined process? Explain the “splendor” of this stage where all is going as it should, perhaps by beginning to create initial designs or preparations.

Step 9: Yesod (Foundation) – Funneling into Physical Action

• Concept: Yesod is the “sensuous bonding” of Success (Netzah) and Splendor (Hod), leading to the birth of the fully formed idea. It funnels all integrated forces of intention, thought, and emotions into the world of physical action, channeling your mental world into the craft of making.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: How will you physically translate your ideas and plans into a tangible form? What is the “craft” involved in making your artwork?

    ◦ Action: Begin the physical process of creating your project. Document the first steps of making, focusing on the materials, tools, and the experience of bringing your idea into the physical world. Reflect on what you are learning about the materials and yourself during this process.

Step 10: Malkhut (Kingdom) – Noble Realization and Completion

• Concept: Malkhut is the noble realization of your concepts and feelings in the kingdom of time and space. It involves all the practical details of physically making and completing your artwork. It’s the moment of culmination, where you are both humbled and proud.

• Exercise:

    ◦ Prompt: What are the final steps to complete your project and present it? How do you feel about its realization?

    ◦ Action: Complete your project. Document the final practical details involved in its physical creation. Present your finished work to the class or a designated audience. Reflect on the entire journey, expressing feelings of humility and pride in your accomplishment.