This is part of a series exploring the seven lower Sephirot (spheres) of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. These spheres are the seven core emotions that drive human interaction.
This week we are exploring the sephirah of Tiferet. Tiferet integrates the realms of Chesed, love and expansion, with Gevurah, which creates space through restriction and restraint, to create something that transcends the sum of its parts.
rest in compassion
let it lead your search for truth
and carry you home
The other day I was feeling particularly disrupted. I was starting down the familiar path of beating myself up for not doing a better job of sticking to my routine. Then I opened the CHANI Astrology app and read about my current transits.
The app reminded me that Uranus, the planet of disruptions, breakdowns and breakthroughs is currently in a conjunction with my natal Sun. Uranus has been leading to this moment since it entered Taurus in March 2019, which itself is a date that marked a prolonged period of disruption.
Now it’s all coming to a head. This is the ego death. The great relinquishing.
Suddenly I was filled with compassion for myself. Instead of berating myself for not doing better, I considered how I could surrender to this moment.
This is all happening as planned by a larger force. It is here to teach me and help me grow. If I am resisting then I cannot be open to the lessons.
Although I’ve read all the research about how self-compassion is the secret to overcoming procrastination and boosting productivity, I’m often skeptical.
A lifetime of getting results through self-berating and harsh judgment has convinced me that this is the only way.
But in that moment, something shifted. I felt an opening. An easing. A coming home.
I wish I could say it was permanent, but I’m not that naive anymore. A lifetime of conditioning is rarely undone by one moment. But it was enough to convince me to continue to rest in compassion.
The many meanings given to Tiferet include: beauty, balance, harmony, truth, and compassion.
I’m not exactly sure why compassion is an interpretation of Tiferet; the Hebrew world for compassion is rachamim.
But I do know that compassion is needed in the realm of Tiferet.
If you’re going to do the work of inviting all voices and listening to them, of finding harmony and beauty, and uncovering truth, you need compassion.
Without compassion we close off to hearing all voices and uncovering more options.
Truth offered without compassion can be perceived as harsh; it can cause the recipient to shut down.
Without compassion we cannot perceive the harmony of our music.
Sometimes the polarity between Chesed and Gevurah can cause us to feel stuck. We can vacillate between the two extremes in and endless loop.
Compassion is the element that can break that loop. It is the way out, the mediating force that helps us find Tiferet, the beautiful synthesis that transcends the sum of its parts.
Join Me Live
Each week during this Omer journey I am hosting a live interactive community gathering.
This is a space for deeper exploration of the week’s theme and how it’s showing up for you. There will be opportunity for connection, sharing, and reflection.
The calls are on Thursdays at 12 pm EST.
Love it? Hate it? What do you think? Don't hold back...