A diagram at the end may help to pull it all together.
So lets start at the beginning. Many are familiar that Genesis 1:1 says, in part, "In the beginning, God...." From this viewpoint God existed before ANY of the universe existed.
Science is currently somewhat in favor of the "Big Bang Theory" which holds that the universe as we know it, ALL of its energy and matter, was compressed into a single point of energy; a singularity.
Genesis 1:1 concludes that from this single point of energy was brought forth into existence everything that is. God is in that single point of energy and everything that is came forth from this single dimensional point of energy.
Therefore, as we begin this investigation of A Tree of Life, at the very top of the tree, or even above the top of the tree shedding light onto it, is the first principle:
GOD (Is the FOUNDATIONAL ENERGY of all that is)
I describe this as the known and unknown energies found in the Kosmos. Kosmos is from a Greek word describing an orderly system of all that is. As energy, this Foundational Energy has the power to move for energy has only two forms: potential (stored) and kinetic (moving) energy. In the beginning Potential energy became Kinetic energy as it moved about in, what science tells us, was a chaotic random manner.
Energy that is flowing may be detected for moving energy has a pattern, much as a voice or a sound has a pattern. Receivers attuned to receiving this energy may derive the patterns of the energy.
The word shining is from ancient words meaning bright or "to gleam". From the word shining we learn that the word is referencing radiance or a source of light. The "big bang", OR the beginning, would certainly have been a shining event when all of the energy of a universe was released at once.
From ancient words meaning to shine we derive the word dyeu from which the word deity, referring to god is derived. The word god indicates that which is invoked or that which is called upon.
So one way to look at the "top" of this Tree of Life is that which is invoked, God, is the foundational energy of the universe that was once potential energy and then became kinetic energy as it moved out from its singular dimension into at least two and into three or more dimensions. This radiant energy or shining deity became that which is invoked in order to transition from the chaotic moments of the "Big Bang" into the Orderly System known by the Greeks as Kosmos.
~2~
GOD-SPIRIT
(The largely undefined Vital [Life] energies of the Orderly System of All That Is)
{The organizing of energy behind the orderly system}
As we move from "above the tree" and down into the "canopy" of a Tree of Life, we come to something more than just the energy of God, we come to the organization of chaotic energies into organized energies. We come to intention. Some like to refer to these intentions as scientific laws, or natural laws, or laws of physics and the like. Some refer to it as Holy Spirit, or M'aat, or any of another of personifications of the orderly organization of God energy within the Universe. Here is a conceptualization of how this came about.
As the energies of the "Big Bang" were dispersed into two and three dimensions, and maybe more, The "Universe cooled" and matter begin to coalesce. The rules or laws of HOW energy coalesces, combines, and behaves could be observed. These laws of the Universe eventually determined that all of the dispersing energy would react in (what would come to be known) as predictable manners. This spirit of organization is known for this article as God-Spirit for it is the foundational energy coalescing and making the energy poured into the universe; that orderly system of all that is that we observe today. Another meaning of the word god is that which is poured out. This organization of energy also has resulted in the vital or life energies that inhabit this orderly system of all that is.
From here on downward on this Tree of Life I like to observe the concepts of Yin and Yang as each of these points on the tree may cycle between one or both of these extreme points of action. While not a comprehensive explanation, I observe that often these extreme points of action are described as:
Yin {} Yang
(Attractive || Repulsive)
(Feminine || Masculine)
(Submissive || Assertive)
and more besides, but the point here being that Yin is one extreme and Yang is the other, opposite, extreme and somewhere between the two extremes are the points that make up the "wave length" of energy as it moves between the two extreme points.
I believe that the ancients like to view this movement of energy as “the serpent” because it allows for the snake-like movement between extremes. The variation of the movement of the energy determines the order of the particular system in which it is moving. That is about as far as I will go on Yin and Yang, but as you will see, I use Yin and Yang as the connecting tree trunk of this Tree of Life as we go through the rest of the diagram.
~3~
GOD-SMEARED HUMAN
(The Human who has God-Energy & God-Spirit smeared into them.)
{The incorporation of God-Energy and God-Spirit in the Human BEing.}
I can hear you thinking "God-smeared?! what a stupid term!" But, before you tune out, learn this: The word the Hebrew word messiah, as well as the Greek term christ both refer to anointed one. The word annoint in Hebrew refers to a smearing into of something, like suntan oil, or a lotion, into the skin. It is so "smeared in" that it is no longer just on the surface it has become a part of what it was smeared into. With this in mind we see that the Cosmos continues to go on its merry way of becoming an orderly system and at some point along the way Life emerges on our planet that we have come to call Earth, a word derived from ancient words indicating ground.
Ancient humanity were little more than animals, but along its path of orderly progression humanity awakened to the ability of attunement to the God-Spirit. The first "scientists" observed the order of the Cosmos and began to codify a teach the laws of the universe to other humans. At a point, or points, some of humanity became so "at one" with the laws of the universe (At-one-ment) that God was completely smeared into their being. They were so godly that it was difficult if not impossible to determine if they were separated from God or not.
The reason that this is portion of a Tree of Life is phrased the God-Smeared Human is because the word anoint literally is derived from smeared into describing an action of rubbing not just ONTO, but INTO something. God has become a very part of them. God is "so smeared into" you and You that you in effect become YOU, i.e. your physical self (you) and your higher self (You) become so at-one with Divinity as to be referenced as YOU.
The word Christ in Greek describes one who is God Annointed and the Bible points to Jesus as God's-Anointed Human to teach God's ways to humanity. Some number of humans may also arise to some level of this Christ Consciousness as they approach becoming a God-Smeared Human.
We now move from the canopy of the tree and down into the branches and trunk.
~4~
HIGHER SELF
(Spiritual Human being – Higher Self, Conscience, Man+God. Human Spiritual aspect)
The "higher self" refers to a part of the spiritual self that is associated with the body and mind, but is not of them. Often described as your truest self, the higher self is connected to your soul and higher consciousness and can tap into the greater mind of the cosmos. This part of You is believed to be inherently good, compassionate and aligned with your soul's purpose. It is the cosmic citizen that strives to assist you in becoming a better cosmic citizen.
The higher self is often contrasted with the ego, the part of you focused on your personality, identity, and worldly concerns. Being at-one with divinity, the Higher Self is considered a source of intuitive knowledge, guidance, and clarity, offering insights into your life's purpose and helping you make decisions aligned with you, You, and YOU. As you, You and YOU seek the best for all. The higher self is seen as a connection to a larger cosmic consciousness, universal mind, or spiritual realm. Connecting with and heeding the guidance of your higher self is often described as a path to personal growth, healing, and fulfillment.
~5~
LOWER SELF, OR PHYSICAL HUMAN
(Material Human being. The Animal aspect of the Human)
We are all familiar with our human bodies, minds and frailties, our you. I like to think of this as the most animal aspect of our selves, the you that is merely concerned with the survival and entertainment of the physical body. We are all very good at looking out for number one, and this part of ourselves is the you in the you, You, YOU dynamic of this particular Tree of Life. We don't need to elaborate much on this aspect of ourselves.
~6~
Ground
(Earth [matter], the building blocks from which humans are crafted)
The Earth; the ground; the minerals; the matter of the universe is the ground from which much of our cosmos is crafted. We are crafted from matter, from dust you came and to dust you will return. Matter is the building blocks from which all things are created. Our physical bodies are crafted from this matter, infused with energy and connected to the foundational energy of the All that is. This is all of the energy of the cosmos, known and unknown, that moves, combines and coalesces into matter.
The Ground in which this Tree of Life is planted is the material building blocks created from the dispersed energies of the all that is. This cosmic energy, refers to a universal force, energy, that permeates the universe and all that is. These cosmic rays influence all things from the smallest particles to the largest celestial bodies, and is often associated with spiritual and healing practices where it is seen as a source of life force or vital energy that connects the greater cosmos. It is understood as linking the visible and invisible realms. In various spiritual traditions cosmic energy is linked to concepts like prana or chi representing the life force or vital energy that animates living beings.
Cosmic energy is also associated with the idea of a Supreme Consciousness and Intelligence that is present everywhere. Some theories suggest that cosmic energy originated from the Big Bang and has been transformed into different forms throughout the universe's history. This energy permeates the ground and is drawn from ground as it rises up this Tree of Life, and ultimately seeks to rejoin with the divine foundational energy without wasting this energy along our path of light.