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 |
Dikna
"The Beard"
The Dikna or "beard" of Arich Anpin possesses thirteen parts or individual "levels of rectification" (Tikunai Dikna), which corresponds to the thirteen principles of Divine mercy, as mentioned above.
Every "hair" of the "beard" represents an individual power of tzimtzum to contract the infinite light inherent within Arich Anpin in order that it become manifest and "viable" to the subsequent partzufim of the world of Atzilut (beginning with the partzufim of Abba and Imma I'la'ah, to be explained), to bestow upon them God's infinite mercy.'
The seventh part (tikkun, "rectification") of the Dikna (its "middle" or "center"; 7 is the middle-point of 13), corresponding to the Divine principle of "truth" (v'emet), are the "cheeks" of "face" of Arich Anpin, which are not covered by "hair." Here the light of the countenance of Arich Anpin shines without tzimtzum. The light of the countenance is referred to as the "370 lights," of which is said: "In the light of the face of the King is life."
The eighth and thirteenth parts of the Dikna are referred to respectively as the higher mazal (source of Divine influx) and lower mazal. The higher mazal is the source of Divine life-force which flows from Arich Anpin to Abba Ila'ah; the lower mazal is the source of Divine life-force which flows from Arich Anpin to Imma Ila'ah, as will be expained.
Thus, in general, the secret of the Dikna is the "bridge" between the yet infinite state of the lights of Arich Anpin and the relatively finite state of the light and vessels of the subsequent partzufim of the world of Atzilut. In the soul of man, this is the bridge between the superconsciousness and the consciousness of the soul.
