Atik Yomin | עתיק יומין
The name Atik Yomin, or The Ancient of Days, signifies that it is completely separated from the reality and time we know. In simple terms, Keter in one world is like a bridge between a higher and a lower world. This bridge has two ends: one connected to the upper world and the other to the lower world. In the case of Keter, Atik Yomin is connected to the upper world, while Arij Anpin is linked to the lower world. So, Atik Yomin is like the lower part of the higher world, and Arij Anpin is the upper part of the lower world.
Atik Yomin is essential in the spiritual structure of the universe because it is the innermost part of divinity in Keter. This level is beyond what we can normally comprehend. Atik Yomin is important for understanding how divine energy flows between different levels of the spiritual world. It is not just a channel for that energy but also adjusts it so that it can move smoothly between higher and lower levels of reality. Think of Atik Yomin as a transformer that carries divine energy to where it needs to go seamlessly.
In our daily life, Atik Yomin also plays a significant role. Its power to bring the divine into the physical world is seen in our ability to turn our great ideas and desires into real actions. This process involves not only our thoughts and feelings but also our will and aspirations. So, Atik Yomin symbolizes our capacity to go beyond the ordinary and connect with the spiritual, reminding us constantly that we can bring the divine into our physical world every day.
Atik Yomin, or Ancient of Days, is a Partzuf, essentially a complex spiritual entity made up of different intertwined forms of energy. These energies are organized into blocks called Sefirot. There are several groups of Sefirot in Atik Yomin, such as the ten Sefirot of Keter of MaH and the upper five Sefirot of Keter of BaN, among others.
The energies of Keter in MaH are controlled by smaller energies called BaN. Both combine to form Atik Yomin. Interestingly, the energies of MaH are seen as masculine, while those of BaN are feminine. Sometimes, the feminine side is referred to as the Nukva de Atik Yomin to avoid confusion since both sides are also known as Atik Yomin.
This Partzuf has a complex interplay of energies. We can speak of Atik Yomin as a whole, without dividing it into its parts, to simplify and avoid misunderstandings. There is no specific vessel that receives all this energy, making the system even more challenging to understand.
In Atik Yomin, Nukva is the same as Malchut, which is like the boundary of energy concerning the Partzufim above and below. Atik Yomin is unique because it includes a feminine side, and there is a constant interaction between the limiting (feminine) energies of BaN and the expansive (masculine) energies of MaH.
The relationship between BaN and MaH in Atik Yomin is not just one of opposites. Rather, it is a complex blend of forces that determine whether divine energy flows flexibly or rigidly. This system not only regulates how divine energy is sent but also how it is received, adjusting to the needs of the worlds and beings below.
Atik Yomin represents an essence that is beyond everything we can touch or see, while Arij Anpin acts as its more accessible version in the created world. In this system, there is a significant "give and receive" dynamic in Kabbalah. Atik Yomin shapes the higher reality and then passes it through Arij Anpin, which adapts that energy to make sense and be useful in the lower worlds.
This interaction has a profound impact not only on the spiritual but also on how we live each day. Atik Yomin and Arij Anpin can be seen as divine examples of human duality between being and doing or, in a more spiritual sense, between faith and action. Atik Yomin, representing our deepest connection with the divine, urges us to set aside earthly concerns and enter a state of pure reflection. Arij Anpin motivates us to act, to bring spiritual ideas into the real world.
Regarding the innermost structure of Atik Yomin, the Partzuf is closely related to what is called "Ratzón," or Divine Will. Here, Divine Will is not just a simple and fixed desire but is a complex desire with many sides and constant change. The Nukva de Atik Yomin, as the feminine side, acts as the vessel for this Divine Will. We could say that Nukva is like the womb where Divine Will is nurtured and prepared to manifest through Atik Yomin and Arij Anpin.
Although Atik Yomin is difficult for the human mind to grasp, studying it can give us a clear insight into the purpose and direction of our own lives. Atik Yomin reminds us that we are complex and dual, both divine and earthly, both eternal and temporal. It encourages us to live in a creative tension between these two extremes, always seeking to align our will with the Divine Will, leading us to a greater unity of being and doing, of the celestial and the earthly.
A deep understanding of Atik Yomin can act as a spiritual map, guiding us on the complex journey of spiritual life and offering us a way to understand the intricacies of being human. With its dual structure of feminine and masculine energies and its role as a bridge between higher and lower worlds, Atik Yomin gives us a comprehensive framework to understand the relationship between the finite and the infinite, between the human and the divine.