Harrison wrote: I suppose you could think of the moment before the Big Bang as the primal Open Space...
Harrison, I always appreciated your "Old Testament" background. The Hebrew creation story says that G-d is the first open space facilitator. There was only G-d, but in order for the universe to be created, G-d needed to withdraw just a touch so that an open space would be created into which the universe would take place. "Before a universe could be created, empty space had to exist in which it could be made. But initially, only G-d existed, and all existence was filled with the Divine Essence. It was out of this undifferentiated Essence that a Vacated space had to be engraved. The process, known to the Kabbalists as the Tzimtzum (Constriction), is clearly described in the Zohar... The hollow engraved in the Supernal Luminescence was the Vacated Space, in which all creation subsequently occurred." (Sefer Yetzirah <book of creation>, trans. & commentary by Aryeh Kaplan) I imagine that G-d was at least as anxious and radically trusting as any of us who step back from the center of the circle and wait for the open space to be filled. And at least as happy at the wonderous creation-ing which emerges and self-organizes from the open space. And, my rabbi says, G-d holds the space while we walk around with free will. So let's offer gratitude for the wayfinding narrative (principles and law) and walk with wisdom & humility & open heart! Jeff - Jeff Aitken PO Box 1092 Inverness CA 94937 415-663-8789 [email protected]
