Summary
Highlights
Mario Saban defines Kabbalah as an ancient wisdom of over 2200 years, offering methods to deeply understand the human soul and the universe. He describes Kabbalists as scientific minds of their time, possessing prodigious intelligence and a comprehensive global knowledge.
Saban explains that Kabbalah is neither a religion nor solely philosophy. It doesn't require belief but rather offers a logical path of knowledge about the universe and the human soul. He stresses its practical component, aiming to apply abstract understanding to real-life situations, making it more akin to science in its utility.
Contrary to a utopian view of spirituality, Kabbalah acknowledges real-world problems. Saban states that the goal is not a mind in calm, but a mind trained to overcome obstacles and learn from them. He introduces the concept of a 'proactive and preventive spirituality' that equips individuals with tools for daily challenges.
Saban discusses how the knowledge of death intensifies life, providing a limit that encourages living fully. He also explores the concept of eternity, questioning how existence would be without the intensity that finitude brings, and highlights that the soul's purpose can be fulfilled regardless of the length of life.
Saban explains that fear, particularly the fear of death, leads to a fear of living. Kabbalah teaches to overcome fear by understanding that loss is a natural part of life and focusing on inner strength. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's virtues to build self-esteem and foster automotivation.
Kabbalah perceives the universe as a 'Corpus Symbolicus,' where everything transmits information. Saban shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how intuitive knowledge allows individuals to perceive future events or understand underlying realities, akin to ancient prophecy but rooted in the soul's capacity to transcend time and space.
Saban introduces the Tree of Life as a system of 10 dimensions, representing different energies within the human psyche and the universe. He explains that balanced energies are crucial for well-being, illustrating how proper distribution and dynamic equilibrium of these energies lead to health, vitality, and greater personal power, preventing the 'cuts' or imbalances that cause suffering.
Mario Saban lists the 10 dimensions of the Tree of Life as Malhut (matter, kingdom), Yesod (relationship with others), Hod (structured language), Netzach (symbolic language/art), Tiferet (center of the self/self-esteem), Bina (rational mind), Hochma (intuitive knowledge), Hesed (giving), Gevurah (receiving/limits), and Keter (constant process/crown). He highlights his book 'Keter: El Éxtasis de la Eternidad' which explores this concept.