A leading international magazine recently printed some amazing pictures taken
inside a mother's womb, showing the evolution of a two-week-old fetus into the
full term baby just prior to birth. The extrapolation of complexity and fullness
from seeming simplicity is simply miraculous.
A curious feature, however, is the posture. From the earliest state, the
curled and folded shape of the fetus is garishly out of sync with the upright
posture of the human being. The obvious explanation is the limited space
afforded in its temporary abode within the womb. A deeper explanation is offered
in Chassidism as follows.
The functionality of the unborn body is limited. Most pointedly, the head is
drooped down between the knees. This limp state is also indicative of a lack of
consciousness - brain function, in the sense of mindful activity. The dominant
body function is that of the stomach, attached as it is through the umbilical
cord to the mother. The growth and maintenance of the fetus is through this
amazing 'hose' that feeds the fetus directly. Only when birth takes place do the
other potential functions spontaneously activate with the first cry of the newly
born. The head is lifted and the neck muscles give it s support. The cord is cut
and the state of independence established.
Hassidic teachings of Kabbalah compare the unborn baby to the current state
of the world and history. The Torah notes that we "have eyes but do not
see, ears but do not hear", as does, substantially, an unborn child. More
significantly, our consciousness is severely limited, as is evidenced by the
small portion of the brain that is currently used -- estimated at 5% of its
ultimate potential. Our tendency is to seek understanding of the mechanics
of life, and struggle imperfectly to comprehend the purpose of life. Ours
is a cold cerebral approach to the workings of the world. This is akin to the
state of activity and insight of the fetus in the womb.
Kabbalah informs us that a stage of "spiritual fission" will
suddenly emerge -- a spontaneous combustion of insight and higher consciousness
known as Moshiach. Like the birth of a child and transformation of a bent-over
fetus into an upright sentient human, so will humanity become a world of higher
awareness and the spiritual underpinnings of reality will become open and
apparent. The other 95% of the brain will function as will the aptitude of all
our deeper perceptions of reality. The state of oneness and unity of all things
will be fully apparent, resulting in a state of balance as yet unfelt.
The Chassidic teachings describe this phenomenon as the emergent balance of
the three patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, manifesting their spiritual
contribution to the embryo that we were. The patriarchs provided the spiritual
'seed' that we evolved from. It is their input that will become open and
revealed in the time to come, resulting in our ultimate self-realization.
Through our self-mastery and insight we are constantly preparing ourselves
for this transformation, and in this quest for higher consciousness we become
active catalysts in the acceleration of the process.
MASTERY: The Abraham aspect of your personality is your compassionate
nature. The Isaac aspect is your strength and resolve. The Jacob element is your
sense of truth and balance. Spend three consecutive days focusing and becoming
aware of each of these three spiritual characteristics, one by one, sequentially
over the three days. And as you become aware of their place within you, commit
yourself to strengthening them and re-balancing yourself as necessary should you
find that one or more of these is either lacking or in low gear.
MEDITATION: Think of an idea. Trace it back to its birth. How did you
think of it? Where did it come from? What was the spiritual space - the
potential that allowed the thought to be conceived? Which parent's
characteristics transposed this thought-disposition into your genetic code? How
did it jump across time, space, and person, to become an aspect of your
personality? Where did it reside before your parents, and their parents, and
onwards? Remain in a state of wonderment and awe at the mystery of creation.
Follow-up resources: What is Kabbalah and
Achieving Inner Unity and Balance (audio) available at Rabbi Wolf's
Website (see link below).
