Baal Shem Tov
~1698–1760
“God is everywhere; serve Him with joy. Every Jew has a divine spark. Hasidic devotion through ecstasy.”
The four dimensions in the 16-axis model where this thinker scores highest. People in this archetype tend to lean the same way.
- MRMystical Receptivity10 / 10
- CECommunal Embeddedness9 / 10
- VAVital Affirmation8 / 10
- RTReverence for Tradition8 / 10
The six thinkers whose 16-dimensional positions sit closest to this one. Useful as next-reading suggestions.
- Julian of NorwichTHRESHOLD
All shall be well. Sin is necessary, but love prevails. God as Mother.
- Hildegard of BingenLIGHTHOUSE
Visions of God's living light. Viriditas — the greening power. Body and soul are sacred unity.
- KūkaiTHRESHOLD
Become a Buddha in this very body. Mantras, mudras, mandalas. Esoteric Buddhism in Japan.
- Teresa of ÁvilaTHRESHOLD
Interior castle with seven mansions. Mystical prayer leads to union with God.
- Dalai Lama (14th)HEARTH
Compassion is the foundation. Inner peace is the source of outer peace. My religion is kindness.
- TagoreHEARTH
Where the mind is without fear. The boundless sky of personality. Nature and humanity in unity.
Short exercises in the same tradition as Baal Shem Tov's thought. Each takes 5–25 minutes.
- The Examen →
Five-step Ignatian end-of-day review — what was given, what was missed, what to take into tomorrow.
- Switch sides →
Argue both sides of a debate, alternating, until you no longer know which side you started on.
- Anticipating objections →
For every position, list the three strongest objections — then answer them.
Three doors lead onward.
- 01 · QUIZThe InheritorFind your archetype — discover whether you'd argue with Baal Shem Tov or alongside them.CONTINUE ▶
- 02 · COMPAREBaal Shem Tov vs Julian of NorwichOn Mull's map Julian of Norwich sits closest. See where they agree and where they part.CONTINUE ▶
- 03 · DAILYToday's SparOne philosopher, one topic, five minutes. A new one drops every day.CONTINUE ▶