Looking closer at the word "Amen"
Thursday, August 1, 2013
According to the Sefer Yetzirah the power of Keter as we experience it is Ruach Ha-Kodesh, Divine Inspiration. This power is represented in the Hebrew Aleph-Bet by the letter Aleph, which is the first letter of amen. Thus, the word amen contains the power of Ruach HaKodesh through which the whole of creation is sustained, and prophecy and wonder-working transpires.
Amen is composed of three letters: Aleph-Mem-Nun. Aleph is the Fiery Intelligence, Radiant Holy Breath, and is said to represent Keter. Mem is water or the substance of consciousness/creation from which all things are formed, and is said to represent Chokmah. Nun is the energy-intelligence of the zodiacal sign of Scorpio, which is the hidden power of fire drawn from within water, and is said to represent Binah. Thus, the word amen bears the full power of the Supernals: Keter-Hokmah-Binah, or more properly Hokmah-Binah-Da'at.
Mem is the power of Ruach Ha-Enoch, the Spirit of the Initiates, and Nun is the power of Ruach Ha-Elijah, the Spirit of the Prophets, Aleph is the power of Ruach Ha-Mashiach, the Spirit of the Anointed - the three manifestations of Ruach HaKodesh or active power of the Supernals.
According to the Kabbalists Amen is a key mantra for meditation, and specifically for insight into Ma'aseh Bereshit (the Work of Creation). It is akin to the mantric word Om in the Eastern Traditions, though in its intonement a distinction is made between the upper and lower worlds, or the World of Supernal Light and matrix of creation; hence the sound-vibration Om-En. The use of this word as a mantra is a method through which initiates may consciously shift between Binah and Chokmah consciousness, in much the same way as the method that uses the three Mother letters as a chant of transcendence. Likewise, coupled with creative visualization the chant of amen is said to be a great manifesting power. Many initiates have glimpsed the World of the Sefirot and experienced flashes of supernal or Messianic consciousness using Amen as a mantra.
Associated with Keter it represents the Divine potential of the Infinite (Ain Sof), yet, as the phrase "so be it" it represents Divine actualization.
The Kabbalah tells us that if we know the inner or mystical meaning of a word that we are empowered to draw the full force and spectrum of the Energy-Intelligences it represents - that if we speak a word with kavvanah-concentration, having the secret knowledge of the word, its true spiritual power will flow with, in and through us. This contemplation, therefore, empowers us to draw more fully on the power of the Great Affirmation, Amen.
If one seeks deeper mystical insight into Amen, then one can visualize the Hebrew letters and chant the word, letting the letters fill one's mind and allowing one's mind to merge completely with the sound-vibration. Envision that they appear as radiant black fire on white brillance, or alternatively, as though electrical fire in the midst of the air, and let them grow to fill one's mind as endless space, as you dissolve into the Light and Sound-Vibration of Amen. In other words, disappear into Amen and see what happens!
One might also wish to contemplate Amen with another alternative name associated with Keter: Atah, which means "You." This is: Aleph-Tau-Heh, which contemplated in connection with Aleph-Mem-Nun can prove illuminating.
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