“Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick, and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not?” -Mormon 4:54 [8:39]
In Kabbalah, Bitul (ביטול) refers to the idea of transcending egoism and one’s sense of individual desires (selfishness) in order to align with God’s will. This is a central and profound concept in Mormon Kabbalistic thought, viewed as essential for spiritual growth and deepening our personal relationship with God. From the Kabbalistic perspective, everything in creation is an expression of God’s will. Bitul involves recognizing that the individual’s existence is not separate from God but is rather an extension or manifestation of divine priesthood. This understanding leads to humility and the dissolution of the barriers between the self and God.
Christlike Altruism
Bitul HaYesh refers to the negation of the “yesh” (“something” or “existence”). It is the removal of the sense of separateness that a person feels keeping them from God. Through this process, one transcends the ego and unites with the divine essence, Christlike Altruism. Bitul is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical principle in the daily life to the Kabbalist. It manifests in one’s actions, where humility, selflessness, and dedication to God are paramount. In prayer, meditation, and ritual, Bitul is expressed through an attitude of surrender and devotion to the divine will.
The concept of Bitul is reflected in the Mormon Kabbalistic system of the Twelve Sefirot. For example, Keter (the “Crown” or the topmost Sefirot) represents Bitul because it is the sphere that transcends the individual’s sense of self, allowing for the reception of divine wisdom. Similarly, Chochmah (Wisdom) is seen as being more receptive to the divine light when the individual nullifies their personal intellectual bias.
The Foundation
In Mormon Kabbalistic, the soul’s true nature is inherently aligned with the Divine, but it can become obscured by material desires called “egoism.” Bitul is the process by which the soul is purified and returns to its natural state of divine unity. This is sometimes described as “being born again, or “growing in Grace.” This is the process where the individual ceases to assert their will (egoism) and instead becomes a vessel for divine light and purpose (unity of the creation).
Bitul is the foundation, both the beginning and the process, of the spiritual path. Without it, one cannot approach God with sincerity. It is through Bitul that one can experience the true meaning of humility, connect with the divine, and achieve the highest levels of spiritual enlightenment.
The Holy Spirit – Oneness with God
Imagine Bitul as a candle and a flame. Just as the flame of a candle exists only because it is connected to the wick and the wax, so too does the individual soul find its true purpose in connecting to the divine source. By nullifying the ego, the soul’s true light can shine and align with God’s will, similar to the flame being fully united with its source. In practice, Bitul leads to mystical experiences, such as Dvekut (cleaving to God), where the individual feels completely absorbed in the presence of the Divine. In this state, egoism is removed as the individual experiences unity (oneness) with God, flowing freely with the Holy Spirit.
“And He [Jesus] being the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fulness of the glory of the Father—possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit, that bears record of the Father and the Son.” -Lectures on Faith 5:2m
Bitul then is involves the selfless nullification of the ego and the alignment of one’s will with the divine light of Christ, oneness with God through the Holy Spirit. It is essential for spiritual refinement, as it opens the person to a deeper connection with the Divine and facilitates true spiritual enlightenment.
