This is part 2 of The Number 0, found here. 

6. Zero in Kabbalah: Ein Sof and the Divine Nothingness

In Kabbalah, the mystical tradition of Judaism, the concept of Ein Sof (אין סוף)—meaning “The Infinite” or “Without End”—is the ultimate, unfathomable origin of all existence.

• Ein Sof is beyond names, forms, and even the Sefirot (the divine emanations). It corresponds to 0 because it is the unmanifest, the void before creation.
• The first Sefirah, Keter (Crown), is often associated with “Ayin” (Nothingness), reflecting that even the highest divine emanation emerges from the void.
• The process of Tzimtzum (Divine Contraction) describes how God “withdrew” His infinite light to create a space for the universe—an act akin to 0 generating 1 (something from nothing).

Thus, in Kabbalah, 0 is the unknowable origin—the Divine Nothing that precedes all things.

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7. Alchemy: The Prima Materia and the Void

Alchemy, the sacred science of transformation, speaks of the Prima Materia (First Matter), the formless base of all metals and, symbolically, of the soul.

• The Prima Materia is the “Chaos” before order, much like 0 is the void before numbers.
• In the alchemical process, the Nigredo (black stage) represents dissolution into the void—a return to the primordial state (0) before rebirth.
• The Ouroboros (the serpent eating its tail) is a symbol of the cyclic nature of existence, mirroring the circular form of 0.

Alchemists sought to return matter to its original state (0) to transmute it into gold—just as mystics seek to return the soul to its pure, undivided source.

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8. Esoteric Numerology: Zero as the Infinite Potential

Beyond mathematics, esoteric numerology sees 0 as the most sacred number:

• 0 is the “God Number”—it cannot be added, subtracted, or changed, just as the Divine is unchanging.
• In Tarot, The Fool (Card 0) represents the soul’s journey—pure potential, unburdened by form, stepping into the unknown.
• In astrology, the planet Neptune (ruler of the infinite, dreams, and illusions) resonates with 0’s boundless, dissolving energy.

Zero is the silent force behind all systems—the unseen architect of reality.

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9. Zero in Eastern Mysticism: Sunyata and the Void

Eastern philosophies deeply explore the concept of emptiness (Śūnyatā in Buddhism, Shunyata in Hinduism):

• In Buddhism, Śūnyatā is the realization that all forms are empty of inherent existence. This mirrors 0’s nature—neither existent nor non-existent, yet enabling all numbers.
• In Taoism, Wu Wei (effortless action) aligns with 0—the principle of non-interference, allowing the universe to flow naturally.
• Hindu Advaita Vedanta teaches “Neti, Neti” (Not this, Not that), pointing to the ineffable Brahman, which, like 0, cannot be defined.

The ultimate truth in these traditions is the return to zero—the dissolution of ego into the infinite.

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10. Zero and Modern Mysticism: The Void in Consciousness

Contemporary spiritual teachers often describe enlightenment as “awakening to the void” or “merging with emptiness”:

• Eckhart Tolle speaks of the “Power of Now”—a state of pure presence, free from thought (akin to zero).
• Non-duality (Advaita) teachings emphasize that the self is an illusion, and reality is “zero” (no separation).
• Meditative states of “no-mind” (Zen Buddhism, Dzogchen) seek to experience consciousness without content—pure 0.

The goal of mysticism is to realize oneself as zero—the silent space behind all experience.

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Final Synthesis: Zero as the Ultimate Mystery

From Kabbalah’s Ein Sof to Alchemy’s Prima Materia, from Eastern Sunyata to Quantum Zero-Point Energy, the number 0 is the universal symbol of:

• The Unmanifest Source
• The Soul Before Incarnation
• The Infinite Potential
• The Divine Void

To know zero is to know the essence of all things—the silent, boundless, eternal ground of being.