Tabula Tabularum
Esotericum

Esoteric Tables of Correspondences

© Wim van den Dungen

These tables are intended to assist the hermeneutical comparison of spiritual traditions studied over the years : Hinduism, Classical Yoga, Judaism, Qabalah, Christianity, Christian Gnosticism, Christian mysticism, Islam, Sufism, Ancient Egyptian Sapience, Buddhadharma & Taoism.

Providing correspondences between different spirito-ontological systems, they may be used as research tools, triggering heuristic insights empowering the understanding of the universal interconnectedness existing between actual occasions (cf. Metaphysics of Process, 2012), expressing itself in co-relative thematic structures, in an arcane, hidden language called to be unveiled.

These tables form a semantic pool of links between large segments of ante-rational, rational and meta-rational thought-patterns dedicated to scaled, gradual spiritual evolution. They are called "esoteric", because of their focus on the inner, direct, vertical relationship between the Divine and humanity, and this in terms of both substantialist & process thought (as in the Dharmic solutions of Taoism & Buddhism). In substance ontology, one accepts the Divine to subsists from its own side as "God", "the God", "Godhead", "the One", "Gods", "Goddesses" or any other format of a supposed "Supreme Being". In Dharmic solutions, substance can nowhere be found and precisely therefore universal interconnectedness (dependent origination) is possible. God is Tao or Adi-Buddha in a pan-sacral discourse.

Despite the presence in the world of between 5000 and 7000 spoken languages as well as a large variety of spiritual traditions, each developing its own symbols, language and stages of emancipation, common themes are found in most. These organize the complexity. But to speak to over half of the world's population, one just needs to master 8 languages ... Likewise, correspondences between various spirito-ontological systems are to be expected.

The first standard is immanent. Using the first ten cardinal numbers of N, the set of all natural numbers, the decadic set N' {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10} is isolated (cf. Pythagorism based on Ancient Egyptian thought and later replicated by the Qabalah). By means of N', all subsequent natural numbers can be derived. Each cardinal number of N' is then coupled with a symbol one-to-one. These combinations give form to the famous neo-Platonic formula : exitus a Deo, reditus in Deum (outgoing from and return to God). This "numerology" is backed by a process in which the "exit" is an involution (a materialization of spirit) and the "return" an evolution (a spiritualization of matter). Immanence and the realms of process (becoming) prevail.

The second standard is transcendent. Transcendence is approached with negatives (radical apophatism). Three kinds emerge : unknowing itself, virtuality (the possible, or {Ø}) and nothingness (the void, or "0"). The first is a nothingness with potential, the second the non-existent (cf. Nature abhors a void). The set of all relevant criteria of measurable differences is given 10 ordinal positions defining 10 dimensions. The logic of creation (transcendence into immanence and vice versa) links with this.

The tables are incomplete and represent the consistent order at work between the multitudes of spirito-ontologies posited by substantialist & process thought.

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