Crossing the abyss:
- Originally that is the apsu, the underworld fresh water ocean inhabited by EA/Enki. EA means house in the water. Recently western scientists have said that there is 7 times as much fresh water inside the planet as salt water in the surface oceans. How does all that fresh water occur? Where did the salt water come from?
- The more modern expression is "the dark night of the soul". There are some lower reflections of this but the real event is after first stage enlightenment. The initiate has controlled its personality and the higher mental body (soul body). The deva (holy guardian angel) overlighting the soul body starts to withdraw as the initiate is increasingly able to make direct contact with the human spirit (on monadic plane) also known as the Yechida
After first stage enlightenment the initiate has to operate without support as it is required to make a full connection with Spirit. Thus the initiate finds itself alone with no assistance from higher beings. It is a dark night.
This is reflected in the Christian account of Jesus on the cross asking why God has forsaken him.
Eventually the initiate learns to rely on itself - making required decisions and letting those affected adapt as best they can.
The process for second stage enlightenment requires control of the initiate's heart on both personal (lower 4 subplanes) and cosmic levels (higher 3 subplanes).
In modern times this fourth initation (second stage enlightenment) usually does not require giving up the physical body but rather giving up all personal ambition and working only for the greater good.
Uniting the Nephesch with the Ruach and Yechidah?
First stage enlightenment unites the Nephesch, Ruach and Neschama but not the Chaya and Yechida