Master Kabbalist Program

This unique home study program combines original texts, mental and mystical exercises, with personal gnosis and meditations. While the course demands a dedicated mind and a pure heart, there is considerable freedom in how the aspirant absorbs the teachings. Students are encouraged to follow their own inspiration and focus on areas of study that are of particular interest to them. The study material is purposely diverse and approaches the subject from a variety of different viewpoints. There are periodic written assignments in working with the Tree of Life (all forms and diagrams are provided), and the material covered in the final exam is considered the minimum needed to qualify the student for recognition and mastery of this powerful esoteric discipline.

The Kabbalah began as a body of esoteric teachings that were passed down in an oral tradition, which is said to have dated back to pre-dynastic Egypt. In fact, "Kabbalah" is a Hebrew word meaning to receive inner wisdom from "mouth to ear" and for many centuries there were no formal writings on the subject. There are several spellings of the word and each has its own traditions. "Kabbalah" or "Kabala" refer to the original Hebrew teachings; "Cabala" refers to the Renaissance French Christian tradition; and "Qabala" or "Qabalah" refer to Hermetic, magical, or New Age interpretations.

The first organized Kabbalistic school appeared in the first century A.D. and centered around a concept in Jewish mysticism called the "Merkabah," which means "chariot." This mystical chariot represented a secret method of spiritual ascent in order to attain direct knowledge of the higher worlds. Over the next few centuries, the Merkabah mystics evolved into the "Heikhalot" school, whose name meant "palace" and referred to the spiritual levels of passage experienced by the Kabbalists. The mystical teachings of the Kabbalah gradually became assimilated into Christianity, and during the Middle Ages, were further adopted into alchemy and the Hermetic tradition.

The later Kabbalah teachings can be traced by following the publication of various books on the subject. The Zohar was written around 1280-86 by Moses Shem Tov de Leon in Guadalajara, Spain. The Sepher Zohar: the Book of Splendor was a later interpretation first printed in 1558. The Sepher Yetzirah: the Book of Formation was first published in Mantua in 1562. Finally, the Sepher Bahir: the Book of Light was published in Amsterdam in 1651. Various schools developed based on the teachings in these books. The most influential of these was a school formed in the mid-1500s at Safed. One of the members of this school, Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534-1572), was responsible for much of modern Kabbalism.

The main tool of the Kabbalist is a diagram known as the Tree of Life. Developed by spiritual alchemists during the Middle Ages, the tree was designed to make the complicated teachings easier to work with. The ten sephiroth on the tree represent accumulations of archetypal energies (the word "sephirah" means "vessel"). Vessels of energy lying across from one another in the tree balance each other. There are 22 different Tarot paths between the Sephiroth and each is symbolized by a card from the major arcana. There are also three vertical arrangements (called "pillars") in the tree, as well various triads of energy relationships. Creation began as a lightning bolt entering through the top of the tree, and our return to the godhead is represented by the path of a serpent winding its way up from the ground through branches of the tree. A laminated full-color Tree of Life chart is provided to organize the teachings in an easy-to-remember visual form and also serve as a focus of meditation.

The following are some of the topics covered in the coursework included in the Master Kabbalist Program.

Secret History of the Kabbalah
Alchemy and the Kabbalah
The Process of Purification and Enlightenment
The Process of Creation and Manifestation
The Mystery of Shekinah (First Matter)
The Divine Names
The Three Supernals
The Mystical Powers of the 22 Hebrew Letters
Teachings of the Lurianic School
Working with the Tree of Life
Lights and Colors of the Sephiroth
Meditations on the Gates of Light
Paths of Meditation in the Tree
Experiencing Sephirotic Worlds
Sacred Sex and Personal Gnosis
Gematria and Mathematics of the Kabbalah

Some of the books included in this course are listed below. The main textbook is Gerard Encausse's 480-page Qabalah: Secret Tradition of the West and the course manual is the Introduction to the Kabalah. Other books are included on the resources CD, which also includes an Art Gallery of Kabbalistic drawings, Hebrew fonts, and learning software. A laminated meditation Tree of Life chart is also included.

Qabalah: Secret Tradition of the West by Gerard Encausse
Introduction to the Kabbalah (manual for course)
Elements of the Qabalah by Eliphas Levi
The Practical Qabalah by Lenain
Qabalah of the Hebrews by Chevalier Drach
The Soul According to the Qabala by C. de Leiningen
The Kabbalah Unveiled (Kabbala Denudata) by S. L. M. Mathers
The Book of Splendor (Sepher Zohar) translated by S. L. M. Mathers
The Book of Formation (Sepher Yetzirah) translated by W.W. Wescott
The Great Synod (Sepher Dzeniuta) commentary by Simeon Ben-Jochai
The Midrash Tanhuma
The 32 Paths of Wisdom
Soul's Journey Into God
Anatomy of the Body of God
and other classics from Hebraic literature.

Enroll in the Master Kabbalist Program

To enroll in the Master Kabbalist Certification Program (KAB401), fill out the Enrollment Form or click the button below to enroll now with a credit card. Tuition for this program is $145.00. All work is completed by email or regular mail communications.

International Students

International students are welcome at Flamel College, and we currently have students in 26 countries. At the present time, all courses are in English. Please select your method of delivery during enrollment. To convert dollar amounts into your currency, click Universal Currency Converter.