Evelynne Joffe
Institute of Esoteric Studies
From Kabbalah, Tradition of Hidden Knoweldge by Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi, New York, 1979
Kabbalah
Evelynne Joffe has taught the Kabbalah in Melbourne for nearly 20 years and is a recognised writer and lecturer on the subject. A beginner’s course of one year is offered and advanced groups are also offered and are optional, although the majority of students choose to continue with their work in this life training.
Regular weekly meditation classes are also held for those who have studied the basic course.
The word Kabbalah literally means ‘to receive’ and for centuries, this secret tradition was handed down as part of the oral esoteric teaching of Judaism. The Kabbalah forms the basis of all of today’s Western mystery traditions. Kabbalah is a training, a way of life, a way of personal development and an aid to understanding our relationships with others.
In these classes, held over four terms, students will focus on individual development and self-awareness. The year will be spent learning and understanding the Tree of Life, the glyph or map of the Kabbalah. Students will work with the spheres, or sephirot, on the Tree to understand how they can be used as a map of consciousness and spiritual awareness.
Once the sephirot are understood, students will move on to more advanced and subjective work in exploring the 22 paths of the tree that link the sephirot. These paths represent the experiences we all undergo in transferring awareness from one sephirah, or facet of individual consciousness to another. This will give the student, at the very least, a greater understanding of human relationships, an idea of how to achieve more balance in life and an ability to focus on priorities.
Use will be made of symbols and myths, as well as basic teachings on the esoteric meaning of the Hebrew alphabet which is a vital part of the teaching of the Kabbalah. The letters will be placed on the Tree of Life and studied together with other relevant symbols. This is an immensely valuable course, designed for the beginner, with a psychological rather than religious emphasis.
Reading is encouraged and a reading list will be provided.
2010 Term Dates
Term 1 18
February –1 April
Term 2 15 April – 10 June
Term 3 17 July
– 2 September
Term 4 7 October –
25 November
Please email ejoffe@spiritualstudies.com.au for details of venues, costs and registration.