How Ancient Mystics Beheld the Throne of God - What is Merkabah Mysticism?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Consider Supporting Esoterica! Patreon - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - www.paypal.me/esotericachannel Merch - kzbin.info/door/oydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQstore New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing Rare Occult Books - www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

[@chepulis]

Finally, some esoteric Merkava literature that's wasn't leaked on the WarThunder forums.

[@Seektheday]

Niiiiiice

[@Alice_Bedlam]

LMAOOO

[@John-mf6ky]

Lmao 😂😂

[@genghisgalahad8465]

War 🗡⚔️🛡 Scrolls 📜 🪽?

[@oO-_-_-_-Oo]

🤣🤣🤣

[@kgarrison343]

There's an excellent concept here for a rougelite metroidvania where you descend into the divine palaces and have to avoid or bypass angelic guardians to reach the divine throne. I'll get to it at some point.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Definitely thought that too

[@riskybiscuits688]

I would fully support you if you crowdsourced for this game.

[@MyDemon32]

Isn't Blasphemous something along the lines of this?

[@anglerfish4161]

@@MyDemon32 It's a metroidvania inspired by spanish catholic aesthetics, but I think it misses the point OP is making about replicating the experience of mystical descent with traps and passwords and such instead of hitting the angelic guardians really hard with your sword.

[@qxz9p]

@@riskybiscuits688 I’m actually putting together the concepts I would need for a metroidvania game where Metatron wants your help to return to his human form so he can finally die. It would be loosely based on Jewish mysticism and apocryphal literature with some sprinkling of Zoroastrian and other religious traditions/concepts. It would have a “tunic” vibe where learning more about the spiritual realm unlocks the signs and sigils needed to advance to new areas, as well as somewhat mega man style boss battles that unlock abilities respective to their features. For instance one of the first bosses would be a “living creature” and by defeating it you would gain the ability to switch between attack types, like how the boss would have multiple faces it would cycle through, each with its own attack types and patterns.

[@stevedinks6090]

The less I understand in the title the better the video

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Absolutely.

[@inef85]

underrated channel-specific comment, 10/10

[@n.c.1201]

I second that

[@brockjennings2486]

And thats why we love him & his content, at least one of the reasons😭

[@SuperSquark]

You must have broken free from your (boring) state education into the inspiration that is self education. I learned the Trivium method, the first 3 of the 7 pillars of a classical education. Its priceless.

[@MysticMountainNebula]

Wow, Aramaic for “to go mad” meaning “to go outside” is fascinating on many levels.

[@Vitali_Osandor]

Please don't ever change, Sir. You have a very soothing effect on me... I'm sorry if my comments are out of place. But sometimes even simply watching and listening to a beautiful person such as yourself speak can have a very healing and comforting effect. I appreciate your erudition and sometimes I even find myself interested in the topics you're talking about, even though that's not the main reason I subscribed to you. Sending love and positive thoughts from here, from Romania. Signed respectfully, an ex-christian lonely man who tries to navigate his way through life. Cheers and all the best to you, Mr. Sledge!

[@xwesamzerowaste9531]

@@Vitali_Osandor excellent comment!!!!

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

I love merkabah imagery - verbally described in detail, yet virtually impossible to depict visually, at least to my satisfaction. The fact that we can't easily grasp the imagery described seems to me a key point. You can't bring back souvenirs

[@johannageisel5390]

We should give it as prompts to AI and see what pictures they come up with.

[@jonathanjensen189]

Speaking in the Spirit is like this: there are intentional "contradictions" (e.g., "lake of fire") to clue one in on the Truth being analogically spoken about.

[@angelikaskoroszyn8495]

You can bring back souvenirs but nowadays it's called "mental illness" and you have to take pills for the rest of your life. Smh. Nobody respects saints nowadays

[@michaelshelton5488]

Your video on how Paul was possibly a follower of this movement and possibly hinted at in Corinthians was the first time I had ever heard of it and I was really happy when I saw the notification for this video because of the opportunity to learn even more about this topic.

[@michaelshelton5488]

Also, you should definitely be a guest on Rogan and/or Lex Fridman

[@leviashanken7281]

​@@michaelshelton5488 lol, sorta!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Feel free to reach out to them, though I doubt they'd care

[@Alice_Bedlam]

Check out his 14 part series on Kabbalah. In the early episodes he goes a bit more in depth on Chariot/Palace mysticism

[@AleisterCrowleyDiary]

The ESOTERICA Channel is a true source of wisdom, presenting deep knowledge in an accessible and enlightening way, always enriching our journey of self-discovery and connection with the divine.🤩🤩🤩

[@Jharo77]

Thanks!

[@AdiIxchel]

I had a merkabah mystic experience 10-years ago. I’m so excited that you’re covering this, so I can learn a bit more about what happened to me!

[@BleachedWheat]

@@AdiIxchel IV had several UFO encounters, iv often wondered if their craft are like "fallen" versions of merkabah.

[@mdlahey3874]

Completely absorbing, Dr. S., thank you! I realize there was a great deal of material to cover, but I must have stopped the video at least a dozen times so that I could read the on-screen examples, which made for a somewhat "choppy" experience. Worth the effort, regardless. 🙏🏻

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep, made for repeated watches!

[@shanquelmondecesions4525]

​@@TheEsotericaChannelI'd like to second my appreciation for the onscreen sources!

[@Xaphino]

Last time I was this early the Demiurge was still creating a false world 😔

[@johannageisel5390]

Hehe. ^ ^ I also caught this video surprisingly early.

[@Volzotran]

What is he up to right now

[@FacundoRaganato]

I have taken the definition of Mysticism as in: a “spiritual”experience in regards to a mystery. Just emphasizing that one can consider something mystic when there’s a certain expression of knowledge and/or wisdom in something but yet what is beyond (unknown) is filled with mystery, creating a bridge of between the source and oneself that lets the mind open and wondering. Similar to the concept of understanding that sometimes the question is more satisfactory than any answer that could be given, for it makes room for the mystic :) Another amazing video. Thank you ✨🙏✨

[@globalgulag5586]

If you replace ‘open and wondering’ with ‘open and luminous’ you got it. Conventional, reductive, intellectual, reified, mechanistic definition and examination of these terms won’t make you a mystic, however. That (can it even be called a ‘that’) which lies beyond the appearance field is a total and complete mystery that cannot be grasped, by any mind. It is your uninterrupted concern and surrender to that mystery that makes you a mystic.

[@AntActApp]

Keep up the amazing work Dr, I really enjoy when you talk about etymology, and make accessible these amazing works

[@loureads4215]

I've donated via paypal - I appreciate your work and efforts - and enjoy how you have developed as a presenter over the years. Thank you.

[@Adze99]

I truly wish you were able to find that AutoCAD model of God that one of your students made years ago. Thank you for another amazing video!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Me too!

[@NullStaticVoid]

One of the few creators on YT that can fill up a half hour or even an hour with just talking and not bore you to death. This was of special interest because you have referenced this topic in a number of other vids. So its about time! Happy New Year by the way. May we all survive it intact.

[@qxz9p]

Yessss I’ve been loving your content on merkabah mysticism! Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your channel. It is truly a blessing.

[@CockroachED]

Love the inclusion of Gustave Doré's imagery of the beatific vision at the start of the video.

[@pedroarroyo345]

Happy new year dr.sledge, your channel continues to humble me and take me to deeper dimensions of understanding...and it will continue to be an integral part of my education for years to come. Thank you so much for your hardwork and dedication. 🙏

[@JosephLopez-yo2uj]

I've been spreading the word of Esoterica, can't wait to see you hit 1M subscribers!

[@thomasgartner5236]

Hey Justin, I just want to say this channel has been my obsession for the past couple of weeks. I first became interested in mysticism through the novels of Philip K Dick, who draws heavily from Gnosticism and Daoism in his work. I wanted to learn more about those particular topics for my own stories but I had no idea the rabbit hole I'd fall down. I was completely ignorant of Jewish mysticism before finding this channel but your videos on Merkabah and Hekhalot literature are some of my favorites. It's fascinating to me that we can not only see the evolution of Judaism from its ancient pagan context to modern monotheism but that we also see the parallel development of mystical schools of thought. It seems to me that as gods evolve from the classical polytheist deities to the supreme creator of modern monotheism believers are driven to more mystical and esoteric approaches to understand that god. I also love your scholarly approach to these topics in addition to your dry wit. I too now want to conjure spirits from beyond to find buried treasure for me.

[@grittykitty50]

thomasgartner, so glad you mentioned Dick's books, which are supposed to be for children. His work is the first time I was exposed to the concept of an imposter sitting on the throne of God.

[@crom131]

Thank you, your channel has given insight into things of the esoteric sciences that I had forgotten . Your presentations are remarkably comprehensive, connecting me to the wisdom of the past once again Wishing you and your family all the best.

[@PierreVB-514]

As always , the music in your intro and outro is very beautiful. Thanks for enlightening us a bit more 🙂

[@fett01]

Yes, I love this stuff. I'm cobbling together parts of merkabah mysticism and gnostic ascent mysticism for a Call of Cthulhu game

[@mathewsydney8929]

I'm interested in your forthcoming class! I'm glad you're covering this topic! There's so much misinfo about merkabah in new age communities and I feel that genuine seekers are better served by knowing what it really is and understanding historical facts and context. You're doing great work! Keep shining, Brother!

[@SobekLOTFC]

Keep up the exceptional work, Dr Sledge 👏 ⚒️

[@joshremington]

you are my favorite on matters esoteric.. always SPOT ON.. ty ☕😀

[@sac7404]

wow I was JUST watching all your videos about this topic. Thank you so much

[@renownedbandanawearer1345]

I discovered your channel through your first video on Lilith and it’s been so awesome watching through your work so far. I started listening to your lecture series on Jewish mysticism and this latest video has me wanting to return to watch the rest.

[@seviltufekci]

Thank you, I was looking for more info about merkhaba and here you are🎉

[@enneagramorder9638]

Your the reason I started studying Kabbalah three years ago and it’s been a life changer. Thank you !!!!

[@DavidRussell-i1l]

Thanks for talking about this subject. Loved the channel

[@CoffeeRun87]

Glad the text goes into details about what and how much the guardians of the seventh palace's horses eat. Having to stop and think about that would totally throw off a successful mystic journey.

[@JoNellRodriguez-v4b]

I am so glad to hear the music. Thank you for the lesson. 🙂

[@Mimzymc]

Thank you

[@JoKaR80-d5r]

I constantly have to push my glasses up my nose... when you have to cut like at 22:20 (or so) it made me laugh when you had to do that between cuts. Awesome stuff in this and all your other videos, please never stop! Just adding my high two cents, lol.

[@chronic_daydreamer]

Really appreciate your point about how Merkabah stands on its own before the system of the Sephiroth and later Kabbalah. I was always under the assumption that the Sephiroth / Tree of Life must have derived from an earlier mystical system, so thank you for answering my question. Much appreciated.

[@gideonros2705]

As someone who is practising hara awareness, it is wonderful to hear that these old Jewish mystic were descenders. Development of the core, the belly is the ability to descend into the darkness of being.

[@HighPriestessSwag777]

I am so grateful to you for all you have to share. I could never make it to a lesson but I am able to learn so many interesting things from your channel. Thank you for all you teach ❤

[@leticiamaranhao412]

The more I learn about Merkabah mysticism, the more interesting it seems. It's so crazy and daring for its context. Though I'm a STEM person and very much outside my comfort zone here, I love the study of religion and history. Thanks for your service 😊 Also, thanks for the mental image of YHWH being like a huge chibi character with spider fingers 😅😂

[@Exit311]

This channel is a guide to the perplexed

[@thesinfultictac5704]

Aaaaaayyyoo I see what you did there

[@blackhossproductions]

17:45 feels like the angels asking about the air speed velocity of swallows…

[@BloodWolfXZ]

Laden or unladen?

[@anthonyp3113]

@@BloodWolfXZ European or African Swallows?

[@brt5273]

@@anthonyp3113 FOR THE WIN!!!

[@Rocky-sr4cw]

Yeah, 🎉🎉🎉 Mystics have existed since the dawn of humanity. Many of us are drawn to study/travel the path instinctually and this is all very real. There are different degrees of the experience, breathing techniques, held mind states, shamanistic techniques are tools & I am impressed with your candor and honestly(especially since you're not a practitioner) 🙇🏽‍♂️ Great job! 👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽

[@degueloface]

I absolutely cannot wait for the Merkavah class, Dr. Sledge!

[@jasonbelstone3427]

@Degueloface never recovered from the experience.

[@leviashanken7281]

​@@jasonbelstone3427 he gave the class before or you're joking?

[@degueloface]

@@leviashanken7281 nah the angels actually smote me after I fell for fhe alabaster/water trap. Classic blunder. Oh well

[@leviashanken7281]

@@degueloface Pray tell! Did you try to swim in the alabaster? Or try to drink it? I've never understood how they know if you mistake the alabaster for water.

[@degueloface]

@@leviashanken7281 i tried to make some tea with it. Actually their laughter hurt more than the smiting

[@appidydafoo]

19:33 - "...the dimensions are highly unusual, the Divine head is massive compared to the rest of the body, God has very strange long fingers, and this nakedly anthropomorphic depiction of God is otherwise utterly alien..." As I was listening to this description, I couldn't help but picture the Cortical Homonculus of modern neuroscience. It would be fascinating to construct a model from this text and compare the two. In regards to the ancient Hebrew Shaman's descriptions of a sense of movement, meeting angels who react to your presence in peculiar ways, witnessing baroque virtual spaces as if with your own eyes - sounds strikingly similar to DMT. Thanks again, Dr. Sledge 🖤 Edit: While I'm at it, regarding the discussion early in the video of the contentious terminology of "mysticism" and "magic" - 4:39 - Reb Zalman used the phrase "Spiritual Technology" and I have found that to be an excellent substitute, at least for my own orientation.

[@PoetryfromPoverty-e8n]

24:24 tips-and-tricks on how to navigate the divine palaces, to avoid getting hacked by angels

[@laura.nayane]

I'm Brazilian. It's hard to find content like yours in my language, so I'm glad I can find it in others. However, my english is not so good that I can fully understand what you are talking about or follow the automatic subtitles. I would love it if your videos had subtitles ready in english or in my language... It would help me a lot.

[@DustinRodriguez1_0]

Weird question: Within the human brain, there is a structure known as the 'homunculus'. It is essentially a cluster of nerves that sort of maps our own body and the sensory nerves that come from the various places into relation with one another. Like all the nerves from the scalp and face and lips go to one place, neck adjacent to it, etc. The proportions of the 'homunculus' regions don't represent our physical proportions but density of sensory nerve endings in different parts of our body, so the head portion is very big, trunk is small, hands are giant, etc. Any chance the dimensions described of 'god' in that weird text have the proportions roughly similar to that 'homunculus' region? If so that'd be pretty curious.

[@leviashanken7281]

Awesome! Is it connected or related to the vagus nerve?

[@artisanrox]

ohhh that is interesting🤔🤔 is this stuff maybe related to a form of early MRI or other medical imagery?? Were the Descenders actually doing.....science? Fascinating 🤔

[@DustinRodriguez1_0]

@@leviashanken7281 No, there's a strip or band of the brain, right across from left side to right side, and right in the middle, that goes over the outside of the brain, like the area of your brain that would be covered by the over-the-head part of a pair of headphones. If you google for 'cortical homunculus' you'll find illustrations showing which part of your body gets mapped where on the surface of the brain.

[@cogitoergopod]

I touched upon Merkabah mysticism in an episode I did about the life of the Apostle Paul. Simply fascinating!

[@xm0rtal]

I have the Aryeh Kaplan Meditation and Kabbalah, and it introduced me to this early on, before I even knew about the Sephirot

[@darkeraven8115]

I love these videos. I hope one day you put these all on a set of CDs (but not MP3 CDs so I can play them in my CD players) and sell them. I would love to buy and have all these talks added to my growing Audiobook collection.

[@Bildgesmythe]

Happy New Year, thanks for this channel and all your hard work.

[@stuffandnonsense8528]

Another fantastic video. I have to admit to finding the quality of these videos a little unsettling. I am a professional academic, I am employed by a Russel Group University as a lecturer. I often say to my students that it is far from clear that paying to attend a university is necessary to gain a quality education, and I think this channel shows very clearly how true that is. These short lectures are university standard, and they're free. I should make clear that I think this is a fantastic thing, a very good thing, but unsettling for anyone who makes their living through a university.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Why unsettling?

[@stuffandnonsense8528]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Because I make my living through my academic salary. I am far from convinced that university education is the best or most just means by which a higher level education can or should be delivered and many modern technologies (like KZbin, but also new developments in AI) show how education can be far more accessible. I have seen a short video in which you describe the immoral gatekeeping of knowledge/wisdom which academic publishing perpetuates and, in many ways, I think universities are an extension of that same corruption. Unsettling because I want to keep my job but also I think you do a very fine job of showing how and why that job shouldn't exist. I am engaging in a little hyperbole here, because there are things which a university offers which can't be reproduced on KZbin, but I think the academy needs to change and that change is for those who are settled in academia, unsettling. I know you also teach in a more traditional setting and I think it is a shame that this (occultesoteric) side of your work is not supported more fully by the academy.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I doubt the university is going anywhere. But some of us are really trying a novel experiment in education and accessibility. We'll see what comes of it.

[@stuffandnonsense8528]

@TheEsotericaChannel well, I applaud it. My colleagues and I are doing some things which are allied to this in method, but sadly it is all still behind the pay wall of the university, so very much inferior in the accessibility department. Anyway, I hope that everyone who watches your videos appreciates that they are getting content which is of university standard.

[@AcVinicious]

so i was right about Rudolph Steiner's '' Soul excercise '' practice's. he took those from diffrent parts of mysticism and fused them together.

[@Cold2413]

Love this channel so much! ❤

[@YonatanZunger]

You're going to do the Merkava class!! I missed when you announced the decision! Oh man I can't wait.

[@emoflowerr]

Okay, this is one of your best videos, the essay you wrote is compelling, and actually drives my curiousity. I see a lot of universalism in the merkaba, and the higher yanas of buddhism. Say, wbat do you take of dzogchen? Vajrayana has been relatively obscure in the west up until 70 years ago.

[@bonitaclaireloveday-wp9rq]

Sometimes. You have to live to die & Die to live. To experience. life at it's fullest. Thank you Kind Brother. A beautiful presentation 💚

[@genghisgalahad8465]

I'm continually enthralled by EVERY episode of Esoterica on Merkabah mysticism! 🌌 👑 🪽 📜!! It's as deep a dive as I can imagine! Breathtaking kickstart to this new year! 🎉 🙏 🌌 📜 🪜 📖 📚 when you're all in present at each moment knowing at least (saying "at least" as far as my knowledge and comprehension is concerned) you're being given the primers on paths of learning and know early on you'll be revisiting the episode just for the immersion so that time comes when sources are availed of, the levels of the mind click like a personal password in the mind! I take it this is where the saying "out of one's mind" comes from? 🧠 🪽 ☁️ 🌅 The episode is like, in fact IS, a central axial hub city of mystical Merkavah learning for the mind with an orchard!! 🍐

[@inkpenproductions3373]

Omg you just gave me the language for my experience in an effing thumbnail, and you may never even notice. Thanks for the epiphany, Justin. I had no other contextual reference than Alex Grey's Godself for my experience.

[@toddtaylor4649]

Wonderful as ever Dr. Sledge!!!

[@gutterhalo]

Listening again. Thank you Dr Sledge

[@sheriframsay717]

Love you man !

[@crow4834]

Do you ever think you’d consider making a video on the Druids? Not much out there but it would still be interesting to cover!

[@JoelieRollie444]

This was uploaded right when I got wind of this subject very magnetic energies at play drawing us here at this moment

[@genrepunk]

Ooh, I didn't realize Hekhalot and Merkavah referred to the same body of work! Looking forward to the rest of the video

[@mikkel6938]

I would love to see a collaboration between you and Crecganford, a wonderful youtuber and mythological researcher. This is immensely interesting and it blows my mind that you provide all this education for free! Thank you so much!

[@DneilB007]

You should talk about selling livers rather than kidneys. Livers grow back, so you can sell them multiple times.

[@leviashanken7281]

Awesome description of the Anima Mundi! The only thing weirder is modern astrophysics! Thank you and Happy New Year, Dr. Sledge.

[@rivereuphrates8103]

God this channel rules. The only channel presenting this material in an easily accessible, well-produced, and simple format. What more could you ask for?

[@teyanuputorti7927]

awesome this is amazing thanks for covering it

[@iangood4163]

Love your sense of humor

[@ComradeSam_007]

New sub

[@KingRyGuy21]

Fascinating as always. Merhaba means hello, my Turkish friends taught me a few dozen words. Now my brain wonders of any etymological connections. Thanks for the channel and your work 😊🍻

[@Bbl1nk]

I was so excited when I saw the title of this video, I've been reading Gershom Sholem's Major Trends!! A friend gave it to me after buying it used, listed as "very good" condition, and it came damaged. He got his money back, and I got a free book! 😂

[@ponyote]

Prince of the Presence would be a great prog rock band name, IMO.

[@IsyEskenazi]

You mention at 13:49 an episode about Paul being a Merkabah Mystic and the Water Test, but I think the popup is not working for me if there is one. Can I bother you for the link or exact name of the video discussing this, please? BTW I just found your channel and I'm currently binging as much as I can. As an Orthodox-raised Jew I find your content extremely interesting and I-m very grateful that you make these videos :D

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXSZqXave69kiNE

[@IsyEskenazi]

@@TheEsotericaChannel thank you!

[@Trianghoul]

Fantastic presentation as always. If you read "The Religion Of The Apostles" by Stephen De Young, you will see that this is no secret for orthodox christians and its accepted canon but for a good reason treated with due diligence and respect.

[@leviashanken7281]

Interesting! So not just Paul in Corinthians? When was it written, please?

[@Trianghoul]

This is published by Ancient Faith Publishing, author Rev. Dr. Stephen De Young . Hope this helps @@leviashanken7281

[@heleleth]

My relevant favorite book has got to be Faces of the Chariot by David Halperin and the interesting history on the Chayyoth/living creatures and how they became associated with cherubim. They are also surprisingly quite vicious when you read a passage where a mere look has them start threatening each other!

[@theloreseeker000]

I love your videos!

[@nickpaul3623]

I wish I can have a conversation with professor sledge n talk to him about the time I passed away in a car accident. I had a very wild experience in the after life. It's very important when you see the light n a voice says jump, YOU JUMP.

[@mickeyblack7289]

I feel that merkabah is more a experience itself thus the containment of the soul

[@benkelly7182]

The band Tool has a live track they do titled “Merkaba”. It’s a wild one. 100% recommend checking it out. Omniscient Omnipotent Omnipresent Eternal! Without judgment…

[@Jeannie.C.Riley-oz5nm3jg6e]

🌿 Good one, Dr Sledge 🌿

[@futureshocked]

This is so fascinating. I've done shamanistic 'descent' work before and this sounds so similar. I'm actually helping to put on another workshop in it at the end of this month so I'll get to engage in some of the practices again. But what I found was that the facilitator was very good at getting us into a meditation state that allowed us to 'descend' into ourselves. What's crazy is that I was having horrible hip pains at the time, and when I descended I met a 'man' who I just instictually knew to be Jacob from the bible. As you all know Jacob wrestled a demon who injured his hip. The rest of my journey is very personal but suffice it to say after that workshop I kept finding more and more materials that helped me work on what ended up being horrible plantar fasciitis.

[@TheSarahJane33]

“And the place is called Peniel” 👁️ did you heal the ailment? And if so, did you do it through your thoughts, or medical intervention?

[@futureshocked]

@@TheSarahJane33 Thanks for asking. It took a bit of both really. I mean, materially a yoga strap, dance, stretching were things I needed to make a mandatory routine. I wasn't taking care of myself. But also the next workshop I learned EFT Tapping and BOOM soooo much of the pain was decreased by that technique. I highly recommend it.

[@David-ci6rl]

Thank you again dr Justin for the knowledge for us to rekindle and remember, sincerely thank you, you are a master of your craft Sincerely D.M

[@dayalasingh5853]

This video was the missing puzzle piece for my homebrew dnd setting's magic system. I've known for a bit that I wanted magic to be about making connections to other planes, named after different colours. That the dangers involve learning the rules of these alien worlds, that stepping into the world of magic means changing what the world means (very inspired by the comic Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman (unfortunately)). But this video made things click about how this would be accomplished, what those dangers actually would be, and how different classes interact with these realms differently. Warlocks most simply make connections to these realms by making connections to their inhabitants, either by venturing into them to find a patron, or summoning like these mystics sunmon angels sometimes, not too different from classic dnd. Wizards however now use their spellbooks to write descriptions of these realms, creating their own controlled simulacra of the worlds, meaning they don't ever have to venture into them themselves. They require intense study because they have to learn to make their depictions accurate without venturing into these realms themselves. They also don't have to be written, for example the Stori are a pre literate cultures who have intricate shawls that act as spell books where wizards depict their simulacra visually. While safer than venturing into the realms there are still risks though, wizards will find themselves dreaming at night, every night, of the worlds they create. And they must be careful in their depictions of flora and fauna to never include any named beings and to never name them, because into will be real and by naming them you make a palpable connection between yourself and the real realm, and risk becoming an unwilling warlock or a mad wizard. This may seem easy to avoid but beings in these realms who may want a wizard pawn will reach out through the spellbooks and entice wizards with weak enough wills to accidentally name them. Bards, somewhat similarly to warlocks connect via the inhabitants, however without ever meeting them. Instead like wizards they must study. Study the music and stories and art of the cultures of these other realms and sing then and tell them and replicate them. By immersing themselves in the cultures that live in the realms, by emulating their inhabitants, they gain magic.

[@BojoPigeon]

The Merkabah techniques sometimes sound to me like "Sneaking into Heaven through the employees only entrance."

[@angelorosini4326]

Excellent thank you Dr. Sledge!

[@DavidWilliams-ce6gk]

Hey Justin Do you think you'll ever do an indepth video concerning the "Scholomance" aka "The Black School" and the Solomonari ?? I would think that would be right up your alley. And I imagine with it being mentioned recently in the new NOSFERATU movie, there's bound to be a lot of people asking and looking for information on it all

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep, and the mythological schools of magic in medieval Spain!

[@JarrodStines]

Thanks doc ❤... Shalom

[@derelbenkoenig]

Yess merkava video!

[@reporeport]

Justin Sledge simp here, reporting for tonight's lesson!

[@gnzewi]

Look up essays by Prof Moshe Idel especially on Shiur Qomah. Quite interesting. Ma'aseh Merkabah traditions are still relevant in the Jewish mystical circles.

[@jon_finn]

The first 3 chapters of Descenders of the Chariot are available as a preview on Google books! Your Jewish Mysticism videos are my favorite content on KZbin by far!

[@Esoteric_Transmissions]

Bravo, excellent work

[@nmatsaba2383]

I'm glad your back, we appreciate your knowledge. We're you to get to the bottom of the YT issue?

[@Eyepatchfilms]

You weren't joking on the cost. Hopefully there are secrets within on where to present the receipt when you take the journey.