The Stages of the Creative Process
from God's Infinite Light to Our Physical World
| Introduction Or Ein Sof ("God's Infinite Light") Sod Ha'Tzimtzum ("The Secret of 'Contraction'") Adam Kadmon ("Primordial Man") Akudim, Nekudim, Brudim ("Binding, Points, Connection")  Keter D'Atzilut ("The 'Crown' of Emanation")Olam Ha'Atzilut ("The World of Emanation") ABiYA (The Four Worlds: Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, Asiyah) |
Keter D'Atzilut ("The 'Crown' of Emanation") | |||
| Introduction: Partzufei Ha'Keter (The "Figures of the Crown") | |||
| Atik Yomin | Arich Anpin | Reisha D'lo Ityada | Reisha D'Ayin |
| Reisha D'Arich | Gulgalta | Mocha Stima'ah | Dikna |
Arich Anpin
"The Long Countenance" or "The Infinitely Patient One"
Arich Anpin is the external partzuf of keter, corresponding to the super-conscious power of will in the soul. Arich Anpin is generally identified with the concept of "infinity" or "infinite power," for Arich, "long," implies infinite extension.
As explained above, Arich Anpin, relative to the entire world of Atzilut to come, is referred to as "the higher of the lower." Every state of being or world begins with the power of will to emanate or create a "world" or "environment" conducive to propagate and "home" a specific state of consciousness. The inherent "patience" of Arich Anpin is the patience necessary to allow for a totally new realm of reality to develop and mature into being.
The term Arich Anpin, "the Long Face," derives from the Biblical phrase Erech Apaim, literally "long nose," implying "long breath." While the idiom "short breath" implies a state of anger due to impatience, "long breath" implies a state of infinite patience and mercy. In fact, the thirteen principles of Divine mercy are symbolized in Kabbalah by the thirteen parts of the "beard" of Arich Anpin, as will be explained.
