The Kabbalah Unveiled — S. L. MacGregor Mathers (from Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin) (1887)

34. The idea of negative existence can then exist as an idea , but it will not bear definition, since the idea of definition is utterly incompatible with its nature. u But,” some of my readers will perhaps say, “ your term negative existence is surely a misnomer ; the state you describe would be better expressed by the title of negative subsistence.” Not so, I answer ; for negative subsistence can never be anything but negative subsistence ; it cannot vary, it cannot develop ; for negative subsistence is literally and truly no thing. Therefore, negative subsistence cannot be at all ; it never has existed, it never does exist, it never will exist. But negative existence bears hidden in.

* Or, “ which exists negatively.” 4

INTRODUCTION.

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itself, positive life ; for in tlie limitless depths of the abyss of its negativity lies hidden the power of standing forth from itself, the power of projecting the scintilla of the thought unto the ntter, the power of re-involving the syntagma into the inner. Thus shrouded and veiled is the absorbed intensity in the centreless whirl of the vastness of expansion. Therefore have I employed the term u Ex-sto,” rather than u Sub-sto.”

35. But between two ideas so different as those of negative and positive existence a certain nexus, or connecting-link, is required, and hence we arrive at the form which is called potential existence, which while more nearly approaching positive existence, will still scarcely admit of clear definition. It is existence in its possible form. For example, in a seed, the tree which may spring from it is hidden; it is in a condition of potential existence; is there ; but it will not admit of definition. How much less, then, will those seeds which that tree in its turn may yield. But these latter are in a condition which, while it is somewhat analogous to potential existence, is in hardly so advanced a stage ; that is, they are negatively existent.

36. But, on the other hand, positive existence is always capable of definition ; it is dynamic ; it has certain evident powers, and it is therefore the antithesis of negative existence, and still more so of negative subsistence. It is the tree, no longer hidden in the seed, but developed into the outer. But positive existence has a beginning and an end, and it therefore requires another form from which to depend, for without this other concealed negative ideal behind it, it is unstable and unsatisfactory.

37. Thus, then, have I faintly and with all reverence endeavoured to shadow forth to the minds of my readers the idea of the Illimitable One. And before that idea, and of that idea, I can only say, in the words of an ancient oracle : “In Him is an illimitable abyss of glory, and from it there goeth forth one little spark

KABBALAH.

which maketh all the glory of the sun, and of the moon, and of the stars. Mortal ! behold how little I know of God ; seek not to know more of Him, for this is far beyond thy comprehension, however wise thou art; as for us, who are His ministers, how small a part are we of Him ! ”