The Four Worlds

In certain esoteric traditions, particularly Kabbalistic and Hermetic systems, reality is described as unfolding through four worlds or levels of manifestation. These worlds symbolise stages of emanation from the unmanifest Absolute to the material plane, as well as corresponding dimensions within the human psyche.

1. Atziluth — The World of Emanation: The pure, formless source — the undivided unity from which all arises. Beyond thought, beyond polarity, beyond differentiation. It corresponds to pure Spirit or Being itself.

2. Briah — The World of Creation: The realm where archetypal patterns, divine intelligences, and cosmic laws first emerge. It represents the blueprint of existence, prior to physical form but already possessing structure and intention.

3. Yetzirah — The World of Formation: The realm of energetic forces, emotions, and formative currents. Here, the archetypal patterns begin to condense into more tangible, subtle structures — the bridge between the ideal and the material.

4. Assiah — The World of Action: The physical world of matter, time, and space — the world of sensory experience, embodiment, and manifest form.

While presented as distinct, these worlds interpenetrate each other continuously. Every event in the material world reflects patterns and energies from subtler dimensions. In inner work, these levels mirror the layers of mind, from gross thought to subtle awareness to pure presence.

The spiritual path involves ascending through these layers — not by fleeing the world, but by recognising the deeper currents within it, ultimately realising the undivided source present within all levels simultaneously.

“That which is above is like that which is below.”
— Hermetic Axiom