The 7 Stages of Initiation and Healing

Let’s review the Tree of Life model with its 7 Stages of Initiation and discover some of the practical tools that can be used by metaphysical practitioners from a variety of disciplines and religious backgrounds.

For thousands of years, the Jewish mystical teachings of Kabbalah have provided the western spiritual tradition with a practical road map of self-discovery, a map called the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life leads us step by step towards psychological and spiritual health by guiding us through 7 Stages of Initiation. As we follow the map and awaken the centers of consciousness on our Tree, we can successfully work through and master each stage of development. The seven stages of initiation are:

1.    BODY

2.    INSTINCTS

3.    COMMUNITY

4.    IDENTITY

5.    TRUTH

6.    TRANSFORMATION

7.    WHOLENESS

In Stage 1 we connect to the body and earth to feel grounded and secure. Here we work energetically with the 1st chakra (“center of consciousness” in Kabbalistic language)

In Stage 2 we learn to trust our instincts and flow with our own natural rhythms. Here we work energetically with the 2nd chakra.

In Stage 3 we connect to the tribe to experience a deep sense of community belonging. Here we work energetically with the 3rd chakra.                                                                                                      

In Stage 4 we “leave home” to establish a separate identity and find our own path in life. Here we work energetically with the 4th chakra.

In Stage 5 we discover our personal power to creatively express our truth. Here we work energetically with the 5th chakra.

In Stage 6 we transform old patterns and open to Spirit to discover our higher purpose. Here we work energetically with the 6th chakra.

In Stage 7 we experience union with the Divine Source, realizing the divine mind within to receive healing and experience wholeness. Here we work energetically with the 7th chakra.

The Tree of Life initiation model provides a beautiful analogy to human development as the roots, trunk and branches of the Tree depict body, soul and spirit and our journey of emotional, individual and spiritual development. The aim of initiation is to complete the seven-stage journey and align all parts of the Tree into an integrated whole. This model of aligning the roots, trunk and branches offers a simple, powerful metaphor that we can quickly remember and easily apply to our life. For instance, some people want to heal their roots, resolving various family issues. Others want to strengthen their trunk, increasing their sense of personal power. Others work on the branches, deepening their commitment to a spiritual practice and exercising their creativity. In order to achieve optimum health, we must repair, rebalance and align all three systems of the Tree, consciously sinking down healthy roots, building a sturdy trunk and branching out to a spiritual perspective of life. This is what the journey of initiation is all about: discovering and creating the optimum conditions for our Tree of Life to thrive. 

Rev. Dr. Megan Wagner