I have opted for Life Exercises to be added for the sheer fact that as with many things, the Kabbalah can and is a way of life. Every action you do, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can have affects a lot more far reaching than anyone could imagine. It is what has become known as the Butterfly Effect. An understanding of the Kabbalah and the Tree of Life is a way of expanding one's consciousness into the greater whole's, so that when you begin an action, you can immediately see the possible outcomes and decide whether or not to continue. So the life exercise become a form of ritual which removes the shrouds of mystery and grounds the hours of thought and meditations which you spend on the Kabbalah and its Tree of Life. You can also find in many Kabbalistic writing the idea that we should raise the consciousness of the planet to our own, and in doing so will raise the energy of the planet. Just think, if you smiled at someone (a simple ritual) they may carry that smile to someone else, and that causes a chain reaction that could cause thousands of people to smile. Wouldn't that be a much better world to live in?

As with many meditative exercises, it is often best to set aside enough time to go through the entire process without distractions or interruptions. So, find a quiet, darkened room, or a peaceful place where you won't be disturbed, be sure to clear your mind, and remove any worrying thoughts you have, and begin. You may wish to prepare the place where you wish to do these in a manner suitable to your beliefs, but be sure that it will not distract you too much from your meditation!

Clear your mind, close your eyes, and picture yourself in a darkened place. Picture a pure, radiant white light descending from above your head, and speak the name Eheiah (AHIH).

Let this light enter the crown of your head and descend to your throat, and picturing it radiating a mauve light, speak the name Adonai Alohim. (IHVH ALHIM note that the Tetragrammaton is used, but you may speak the word Adonai instead, or pause, but generally the IHVH is not pronounced for fear of blasphemy.)

Let that light descend to reach the level of the Heart and Solar Plexus where it radiates a golden yellow, speak the name Adonai Al Va Da'ath (IHVH AL VDYTh)

Let this light descend to the genitals and picture it turning a rich deep purple. Speak the name Shaddai al Chai (ShDI AL ChI)

Let this light reach your feet, and picture it turning a russet, citrine, black and olive colour. Speak the name Adonai Ha Aretz (IHVH HARTz)

You will now have a stream of light from above your head to your feet on your left-hand side, under your feet, and up the right hand side. Another similar band of light travels down the front of your body, under your feet, and up the back. This will form the container of your consciousness. Imagine this container filling up from above, with a liquid that sends your body to sleep as it fills up from the feet. This will displace your consciousness and let it travel freely. It is however still attached to your body with a silver cord, generally from the navel, like an umbilical cord, or from the feet or head. When you have finished your travels, you need only follow the cord to your container, and slowly ease you body back into the container, displacing the liquid as you go. The light can then be reversed as with the drawing down.

(These next exercises have been taken from Will Parfitt's The Elements of the Kabbalah)

In any situation, although alone may be more suited, there is a very easy exercise one can perform to realise the sphere of Malkuth. Simply clap your hands and feel the tingling sensation that occurs. Hold them to the air and feel the sensation. This sensation is the realisation of the first sphere.

However, you may feel other thoughts as you perform this. You may wonder what relevance this exercise has, you may feel ridiculous doing what you have just done, as well as many other things. These are not associated with this sphere, but with other higher spheres, and should be cleared from your mind. By doing this, you experience each sphere as an individual, which you can later mesh into a whole divine plan without being confused as to what things are, and how they link together. It is not wrong or bad to have these feelings and associations, but for this sphere, the start, they will confuse your reading of it.

Clasp your hands together in whatever way you wish. Feel the sensation of one hand against the other. Again, you may experience feelings of being in prayer (which you may relate to this pose), but pay no attention to these.

Look at a picture, be it in a magazine, photograph or anything. Direct your mind to see only what is there. Do not begin to associate the picture with a subject, or an emotional response, just with the fact that it is a picture, not a picture of something that does something for you.

Finally, say any words out loud, and listen to them. It is best not to make a special effort to choose these words wisely. They are just words, devoid of meaning for this sphere. Say them out loud, listen to them, but do not react to them. This is the sphere of Malkuth.

Prepare yourself by making yourself comfortable in a space where you won't be disturbed, close your eyes and take a few deep, cleansing breaths. Be aware that you are a unique individual, choosing to utilise your energy in a realm of magickal consciousness.

Picture yourself standing in a field at the bottom of a hill. Be aware of everything that is around you, creating a clear picture of your surroundings, including all of the senses.

Walk across this field and to a path which slopes upwards toward the hill. Take your time to feel your feet on the ground, always being aware of what is around you. Start waking up this path, still noticing everything that is around you, using all of your senses.

About half way up the slope, stop for a rest. Look back down the path you have taken, into the field where you have come from, taking in all of the feelings of being alone in the beauty of nature.

Before you recommence your journey, you are aware of something hidden in something nearby, be it in a bush, under a rock etc. It is wrapped in a shiny golden cloth. Clean everything off of this, and unwrap the cover, noticing beneath it a book with a beautiful cover. Lift it up to the light, feeling excited and alive by doing this. The book seems to be filled with energy. Clearly form a picture of this book in your mind with every little facet of its appearance.

When you have done this, open the book to find that the pages are pure white and completely blank. You now realise that this is a book in which you can keep all of your magickal discoveries, this is your Magickal Diary.

When you have done this, recommence your journey to the top of the hill, whereat you find a large stone, waist high. Place your new-found book on top of this stone, and feel the energy of the sun radiating down, and the energy of the earth seeping up through the rock. Allow you book to change shape, design, or simply radiate, being aware of what it has become.

Pick the book up once again, and hold it to your heart. Affirm that you will keep an honest record of all your workings in it. Let the energy of the book through your heart to the deepest depths of your being, realising that the energy from these depths can also fill your book with your own unique truth.

When you have done this, thank the sun and stone, and briskly walk back down the path to the field. Bring the book with you. When you return to the meadow, be sure to feel the sensation of your feet being on the ground. Open your eyes, bringing the book into reality with you.

Be sure to create a clear picture of this diary in some way when you return to reality, so that you can actually create it, to act as a diary for all of your workings. This will ground whatever knowledge you have gained, into the sphere of Malkuth, an important thing to remember with all Kabbalistic workings.

For this exercise, simply consider the following attributions related to the ten spheres of the Tree of Life. These represent the energies attainable when we contact the spheres through travelling the appropriate paths. As you meditate upon the spheres, be aware of the Tree of Life diagram, and how they have been put together on it.

Malkuth: Discovering the mysteries of the physical universe; the ability to discriminate; physical healing and overcoming inertia and sloth.

Yesod: Discovering the mysteries of the astral levels and lunar energies; to realise the workings of the universal energies; to connect with the divine plan.

Hod: Discovering the mysteries of information systems and Mercurial energies; truthfulness; greater ability to communicate clearly.

Netzakh: Discovering the mysteries of loving sexuality and Venusian energies; unselfishness; increasing artistic creativity.

Tipareth: Discovering the mysteries of beauty and harmony, and the solar energies; centred consciousness; stimulating the energy of soul manifesting in life.

Geburah: Discovering the mysteries of power and the use of Martian energies; purposeful change; awakening inner and outer strength.

Hesed: Discovering the mysteries of love and the use of Jupiterian energies; peace and love awakened; stimulating the force of abundance.

(Da'ath): Discovering the mysteries of the shadow side of existence; inner depths explored; knowledge of the rainbow bridge.

Binah: Discovering the mysteries of silence and secrecy; increasing understanding; realising that all things are united.

Hockmah: Discovering the mysteries of purpose and initiative; increasing wisdom; realising the universal plan as manifest throughout the world.

Kether: Discovering the mysteries of unity and union; the inner quest; amplification of spiritual energy and the revelation of divine inspiration.

Thoughts on these can be recorded in your Magickal Diary, grounding them in the sphere of Malkuth.

In the first exercise, all feelings and thoughts were disregarded because they were of another sphere. Hod is the sphere of thought, as in the last exercise when you thought about correspondences. Netzakh is the sphere of feelings. It is often associated with a chalice or 'holy grail'. In this exercise you will be using these, but will also be using the sphere of Hod in the fact that you will need to think to create them in your mind. A clear distinction should be made between them during this exercise.

Prepare yourself once again in a place where you will not be disturbed. Think of a chalice or Holy Grail. Imagine that you were supplied with all of the materials and skills to make this, and create a chalice of any kind. Gain a clear picture of it in your mind. When you have done this, create a representation of it in the real world by either drawing it or writing a description of it. Be sure to go in depth with this, not leaving out any small detail.

Sit in a comfortable position, relax and close your eyes. Picture yourself in a wood, surrounded by light young trees. Smell the fresh air and allow yourself to really 'be' in this place. Feel your feet on the ground, imagine the sun shining down on you, and listen for any sounds that you might hear. Picture the chalice being there with you.

As you tune in to this place, imagine the sound of a spring bubbling up somewhere nearby, and start to walk in that direction. Do not hurry, take notice of everything which occurs around you. You come to a clearing or grove and find the spring. In your own time, walk to the spring and fill your chalice with the clear water. Drink from your chalice and notice the feelings which occur, such as the taste, and what effect the water has on you.

When you have fully realised these feelings, come back to reality, and be sure to retain how you are feeling, what the experience was like for you.

It is now time to attempt to express what you have felt in the real world, grounding it in Malkuth. How can you do this?

Prepare yourself by sitting comfortably, relax and focus on your breathing. Do not attempt to alter your breathing pattern, but instead, follow the air as it enters your lungs and is released. If there are any tensions within your body, release them in your out breath, relaxing your whole body.

Picture yourself wearing a dark, heavy black cloak with the hood up, covering your whole head and face. Spend some time imagining this cloak, feeling its presence all around your physical form. This is the cloak of your negativity, fears and the negative thoughts, emotions and sensations from your everyday life. Be aware of the heaviness of the cloak.

Become aware of the cloak lifting from you, taking all of the negativity with it. Really feel the cloak loosening, lifting and becoming lighter on your physical form. Then, imagine the cloak slowly vanishing.

When the cloak has completely gone, you will be free to clothe yourself in a cloak of your choice. A cloak of love, beauty, happiness, or anything that you wish. Really picture yourself wearing this cloak of light and positive energy. See its colour and feel its strength and quality all around you. This cloak is a symbol of your soul, and you as a soul can choose to wear any cloak you wish. Choose this cloak wisely, and when you return to reality, remember to bring it with you, and use the cloak in your everyday life.

Prepare yourself by making yourself comfortable and relaxing. Take deep breaths, and as you breathe out, release your tensions, and as you breathe in, realise that you are breathing in life-giving energy. Close your eyes and imagine yourself out in a windswept field. Take the time to clearly picture this in your mind, filling in as much detail as possible, not forgetting to use all of your senses. Include your clothing, emotions etc., really imagine yourself alone in this field.

As you look around you, you see a single stone standing in the field. Start walking toward this stone, still staying connected to the feeling of being alone in the field. As you reach the stone, there is a small opening in the clouds above. A ray of light penetrates the field and illuminates the stone. You can now see that lying atop the stone is a small object, a gift left there for you by an angel. Don't try and work out what the gift may be, but without judgement and censorship, see what the gift actually is. In your own time, pick up the gift, hold it tightly in your hands and thank the angel for giving it to you.

Return to the real world, bringing this gift back with you. Spend a little time (as much as possible!) writing about this experience and describing the gift, or draw a picture of it. Make sure that you go into great detail concerning the gift, leave no small part of it out for any reason. At this point, you may not know what the gift is, or even understand why it was given to you. Trust in the fact that it was right for you, and the meaning of it will become clearer.

It is now time for you to ground this gift in Malkuth. There are many ways of doing this, and it all depends on what the gift is. If it is a symbol that you understand, then concentrate on using its meaning. For example, if you received a red heart, you may need to express love in the real world. Other symbols may need more researching, and things that are real objects make take longer to decipher. What is important is that you take this gift and begin to use it in Malkuth, the real world.

In order to feel comfortable in your inner world, it is a good idea to construct an outer world where you also feel comfortable. This is your Sacred Space. To do this, the first thing you need to do is consecrate the room to your intention.

You can do this by lighting candles and/or incense, sprinkling water or by simply walking around the room, stating your intentions out loud. Once you have done this you are ready to find your power spot in the room.

Focus on your heart and start walking around the room with your eyes closed enough to not see any of the objects in the room clearly, but not so much as you start bumping into things. It is important, as with most of these meditations, to not attempt to work out where the power spot is. This will force you to make one, and it will most likely not be the true one. Allow yourself to be open to the experiences non-judgementally, and let it find you. By doing this, you will find a spot in the room where you feel better than you do anywhere else in the room. This is your power spot.

You may wish to do a small ritual now to 'mark your territory' as many animals do. It may be as small as turning around a few times, just like dogs do before lying down, or even more complex. Your body has the same animal instincts as animals do, and you will know what is sufficient for this little ritual. This little 'dance' or ritual may be accompanied by music of your choice. Drumming has often been used in ritual, but any sort of music will do if it feels right. This has created an outer temple, and the Sacred Space will be complete with an inner temple.

To create an inner temple, centre yourself in any way you know and pay attention to your breathing. At first keep it deep and slow but without forcing it in any way. Then, consecrate your space with a ritual that expresses your intention. You can use any movements or sounds or smells etc. which expresses your intent in a way which you devise. (it should be noted that at this point of development, one should be able to know the right things to do and sue without anyone telling you what to do.)

Remain centred, focus on your heart once more and make a series of at least three ritual prostrations. Each time you prostrate yourself, give yourself permission to go right down to the floor, lying on your belly, feeling the ground beneath you. The first prostration is to thank 'Mother Earth' for supporting you. Inwardly voice this thanks. Your second prostration is to affirm awareness and choice in embarking upon whatever work you do. On the third (and later) prostration, be aware of the specific intention for the work at hand. Be aware that in prostrating yourself to the earth, you can affirm not only the sanctity of your work, but also the sanctity of all life on earth.

Finally, silently meditate in your power spot, aware of the sacred energies in both your inner and outer temples. The process you have just undertaken will have affirmed your place in Malkuth. You are now ready to commence your ritual dance or any other ritual work you wish to undertake.

This is an exercise for inner peace and certainty, which will help you balance yourself, particularly in times of disturbance or low energy. This meditation is very powerful, but can never be over used.

Relax yourself, but not so relaxed that you are liable to fall asleep. Pay attention to your breathing, watching the unforced, natural flow of air and energies in and out of your body. After several minutes of this, still focussing on your breathing, silently affirm to yourself: 'My body is at peace'.

Be aware of any sensations in your body- do not try to suppress them in any way, but also do not become attached to them. Simply watch them pass through your consciousness.

Then silently affirm to yourself: 'My emotions and feelings are at peace.'

Let any thoughts that arise be noted, but do not become attached to them. Spend a few minutes now watching sensations, emotions, feelings, thoughts, images, insights or anything else that come into your consciousness. Observe these events without getting caught up in them.

Visualise your being as perfectly silent and at peace in a silent and peaceful world.

Affirm silently to yourself: 'I have sensations, emotions, feelings, thoughts, but I, as an individual spark of the Self, am eternally at peace and at one with the universal rhythm.'

Realise the truth of this statement.

Prepare yourself as you have in the previous exercises with relaxation and natural breathing. Slightly alter your breath by breathing a little deeper, and connecting you in-breath with your out-breath. This means the when you have finished your in breath, immediately begin breathing out and the same with your out-breath. This results in a series of continuous breaths, with no pauses in between.

Focus on yourself as a Tree of Life, overlaying the image on your body. Concentrate on the central spheres of Kether, Tipareth, Yesod and Malkuth, with Kether at the top of your head, Tipareth at your heart, Yesod at your lower belly, and Malkuth at your lower spine.

As you breathe in, focus your attention on energy rising up the Middle Pillar, up the back of your body. As you breathe out, focus your energy on this energy coming down the front of your body. Keeping your breath connected as before, let this energy cycle build up within you.

Determine where energy is needed within you to restore balance. Give yourself over to this place in your body, visualising energy there. On your in breath, imagine the energy there becomes stronger and more balanced, and on your out breath, let out all of the disease and unbalance. Allow yourself to relax in this place within your body and let go of all of the tension.

See if there is a colour or image that will aid your balance, and simply imagine this colour or image sinking into this part of your body. Keep this up, letting the part of your body which you are working with to be filled with this colour or image.

Focus on your breathing again, directing your attention from this place in your body and returning to the image of the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life, then the whole tree.

Take time to be aware of your whole body, relaxed, feeling well and healed.

Return to the real world and thank the forces in whatever way you see fit, and affirm that your healing is the healing of yourself, and also the healing of the whole planet.

[This exercise contains a method that is similar to the rising of Kundalini in yoga philosophy. Although not strictly akin to this same situation, it would be negligent of me to at this point leave out my knowledge of the effects of this. It is said that to raise the Kundalini energy without having naturally pierced all of the etheric blocks (or webs), one can create great mental anguish for one's self. I see this similarly to attempting to deal with the powers of the higher spheres without having dealt with the lower ones. This exercise was designed for someone who has reached the point of spiritual development where these etheric webs would have been pierced and so would not do any damage to one's self. I am not saying that you may go insane if you just leap into this exercise, but it is expected that you undertake it as a fully developed individual. Ie don't play with powers you don't understand!]

At this point in time, there are very few exercises to adequately connect with Kether. Kether is a very high sphere, which many people never connect with during their physical lives, and hence, I shall not enter into any exercise for it.