Emanationism

For other uses, seeEmanation (disambiguation).

Emanationismis an idea in thecosmologyorcosmogonyof certainreligiousorphilosophicalsystems. Emanation, from the Latinemanaremeaning "to flow from" or "to pour forth or out of", is the mode by which all things are derived from the first reality, orprinciple.All things are derived from the first reality or perfect God by steps of degradation to lesser degrees of the first reality or God, and at every step the emanating beings are less pure, less perfect, less divine. Emanationism is a transcendent principle from which everything is derived, and is opposed to bothcreationism(wherein the universe is created by a sentient God who is separate from creation) andmaterialism(which posits no underlying subjective and/orontologicalnature behind phenomena being immanent).

Origins

Emanationism is a cosmological theory which asserts that all things "flow" from an underlying principle or reality, usually called theAbsoluteorGodhead.Any teachings which involve emanation are usually in opposition tocreation ex nihiloas emanation advocates that everything has always existed and has not been "created" from nothing.

Kleinham (2007) writes:

Underlying the worldview of traditional cosmology is the idea that the universe is an emanation of a unitary divine principle. Although this idea has been blended with the revealed creationist doctrines of the majormonotheistic religions,orthodox theologians have generally regarded it with suspicion. They have relegated it to the shadowy spheres ofmysticism,pantheism,and the occult, which have always been at odds with orthodoxy. The traditional view is summed in the doctrine of emanation formulated by Plotinus.

The primary classical exponent of emanationism was theneoplatonicphilosopherPlotinus,who in hisEnneadsdescribed all things phenomenal and otherwise as an emanation (Greek:ἀπορροήaporrhoe(Ennead ΙΙ.3.2) or ἀπόρροιαaporrhoia(II.3.11)) fromthe One(ἕν,hen). In 5.1.6, emanationism is compared to a diffusion from the One, of which there are three primaryhypostases,the One, theIntellect(νοῦς,nous), and theSoul(ψυχή,psyche).

Another advocate of emanationism wasMichael Servetus,who was burned at the stake for hisnontrinitariancosmology.

Occultism

Emanationism is a common teaching found inoccultandesotericwritings. According to Owen (2005):

Theosophy draws on Neoplatonic emanationism, in particular the concept of separation from and return to the Absolute, and reworks the Eastern concepts ofkarmaandreincarnationto provide an evolutionary theory of both humankind and the universe.

Theosophycontends that all organisms—including animals and human beings—and all matter "flow" from a pure spiritual formation in the Absolute to a material one over time to become materialised and that they will later return to the Absolute after the cosmic cycle of life.

As Morgan summarises: "The Secret Doctrinelaid out an emanationist view of the development of the physical universe, a process of ebb and flow in which spirit gradually unfolded itself in matter, attainingconsciousness,and returning to spirit in a higher and more realised form. "According to the emanationist cosmology ofMadame Blavatskyallmonadsemerge from divine unity at the beginning of a cosmic cycle and return to this source at its close.

Blavatsky in her bookThe Key to Theosophy(1889) wrote that: "We believe in a universal divine principle, the root of all, from which all proceeds, and within which all shall be at the end of the great cycle of being."

OccultistSamael Aun Weortaught emanationism from his studies with theKabbalahandGnosticism.He mapped out a complexesoteric cosmologywith matter flowing from differentplanes of existenceall existing in theabsolute.As Dawson (2007) comments:

As with esoteric thought in general, Weor holds that the universe originated in the ordering activity of the absolute upon chaoticprimordialmatter, giving rise to (emanating) the subsequent planes of the created order (Pleroma).

See also

• Aeon (Gnosticism)– Class of being in Gnosticism
• Anathem– 2008 science fiction novel by Neal Stephenson
• Emanation in the Eastern Orthodox Church– Neoplatonic belief
• Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion– Prophetic book by William Blake
• Panentheism– Belief that the divine pervades all of space and time and extends beyond it

External links

• Neoplatonism and EmanationismMany articles on Emanationism
• Emanation and Ascent in Hermetic KabbalahColin Low 2004. Presentation and notes on emanation and the roots of Hermetic Kabbalah
• Emanationism
• EnneadsArchived2008-12-22 at theWayback Machine