A Jewish method of study based upon the "Tree of Life", described as a "map of human consciousness". "The literal Kabbalah, is that section concerned with the information contained in Kabbahlistic teachings, particularly those found in the Bible. It includes Gematria- the science and art of number and letter manipulation, and all forms of evocative reading of "holy" books using appropriate Kabbalistic codes and interpretations". ("The Complete Guide to The Kabbalah, " Parfait, Rider, 2001. pg. 7.) "When a student delves into the study of the Kabbalah, he begins with the sefirot. From Malkhut to Ayin, they constitute a ladder of ascent "back to the One". Each seeker gains insights on the sefirot, one by one, and as they go up the divine body, they get closer and closer to knowing God".