Recently I had a meeting with John St. Augustine, a famous American radio talk-show personality, author, and motivational speaker.

John St. Augustine is one of today’s most influential radio personalities. His daily radio show was created to make sure people all over the world have access to information that would not only entertain but also inspire them to a greater life experience.

Thousands of listeners tune in daily to hear John’s views on world events and his conversations with today’s leaders and heroes. John’s talent behind the microphone has led to numerous broadcasting awards, including three “Best Talk Host” awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, and his on-stage presence has made him one of the most powerful speakers in America.

Since the inception of his program in 1997, he has recorded over 7500 shows and interviewed over 5000 people from all walks of life. He has communicated his messages of human potential to over one million people.

In 2006 John became a producer of Oprah & Friends for XM Satellite Radio, having created a program entitled, “Powerthoughts for Living an Uncommon Life.” He is the author of Living an Uncommon Life: Essential Lessons from 21 Extraordinary People (Hampton Roads, October, 2006).

Filed under: Notices - No Comments →

Artūras Zuokas, the former mayor of Vilnius and current leader of the Liberal Union, has proposed to penalize politicians for using the word “crisis” in their public speeches.

“Today the main crisis lies in the heads of government politicians and bureaucrats. The crisis is proof positive of our own helplessness and hopelessness. That is why we must change the term ‘crisis’ to ‘challenge.’”

My Comment: He is absolutely right – it is a challenge for us, to our egoism and reason. We must understand the reason for this “challenge” and remove it by correcting our connection with Nature and expressing it in our attitude toward one another. The crisis or the “challenge” is a demonstration of our imbalance with the general law of Nature, of which we are integral parts and with which we must act in complete accord and harmony.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: What Is Balance In Nature?
Laitman.com Post: How Will The Society Of The Future Begin?
Laitman.com Post: We Have A Perfect Life In Store For Us
Kabbalah Today Article: At Odds with Nature

Filed under: Crisis - No Comments →

Research has shown that the achievement of such goals as wealth, beauty and fame actually makes people less happy. These factors do not promote the overall life satisfaction. Happiness can only be achieved if a person grows as an individual, maintains strong relationships with their loved ones and benefits his society.

Researchers noticed that gratification of desires is not always beneficial for one’s psychological health or emotional well being. Those who achieve material benefits quickly are more likely to experience negative emotions, such as shame and anger, and ailments such as headaches, stomach aches, and lethargy.

At the same time, people who have aspired to spiritual goals are more physically fit, feel more positive, keep strong social relationships with their close ones and experience less stress.

My Comment: Even egoism wins from one’s aspiration toward spiritual fulfillment!

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: What’s The Difference Between Money And True Fulfillment?
Laitman.com Post: Studying Kabbalah Is Beneficial, Even For Your Health
Laitman.com Post: Unity Is The Way To Receive Complete Satisfaction
Baal HaSulam Article: “Peace in the World”
Basic Concepts in Kabbalah: Chapter 3.”The Giving of Kabbalah”

Filed under: Health - No Comments →

In the News (from The Science Daily ): “Only A Small Minority Of Children Are Carefree And Many Are Bored, UK Study Finds” A UK study into children’s happiness and safety co-authored by a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire has revealed that only 11 percent of children surveyed are carefree and free from worry. It also emerged that 72 per cent of those surveyed cited boredom as the cause of their unhappiness.

Robert Hart from Intuitive Media added: “The children have told us that boredom is the biggest downer, along with adults who expect too much of them and having to work too hard. Children want more freedom to play, relax, pursue their hobbies and be creative.”

My Comment: If we create a friendly world for our children, our future generation, and stop treating them as though they need to be equipped for a tough life ahead, then they will be happy!

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Is Modern Society Ruining Childhood?
Laitman.com Post: Is There Such a Thing As A Happy Childhood?
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalah for Kids
Article: “The Secret to Child Education”
Kabbalah Today Article: “Spiritual Education”

Filed under: Children - No Comments →

A question I received: Can Kabbalah logically explain the connection between a particular blow and the lack of connection between people?

My Answer: As a consequence of the Egyptian plagues, Pharaoh’s sages concluded that the plagues had come from the Creator, telling Pharaoh: “It’s the Creator’s hand!” And although Pharaoh stubbornly contended: “Who is the Creator that I should listen to Him?” as a result of the blows, he gave in and freed his slaves.

Pharaoh is the egoism created by the Creator. The plagues are the suffering that is caused by our egoism, thereby revealing it. Because of the blows, we begin to hate our egoism and realize that the blows come from the Creator and are sent specifically so that we will desire to escape from Egypt and Pharaoh’s (egoism’s) rule over us.  We come to realize that our nature is not our own, but rather a force outside ourselves that has control over us.

By receiving blows caused by our egoism and aspiring to something higher through the “Moshe” in us, the Creator is revealed, and we see that the blows come from Him. Otherwise, we would come to hate Him.

A person should go through the process of developing hatred for his egoism,  tearing away from and parting with it, while coming closer to the quality of bestowal.  We are seeing that now is  the time when humanity is going through these very stages of development.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: The Current Crisis Is “The First Plague of Egypt”
Laitman.com Post: Countries Are Starting A Global Trade War
Laitman.com Post: How To Broaden Your Perception
Kabbalah Today Article: “Musings on the Financial Crisis”
Interview with the Future: “Correcting Myself – Correcting the World”

Filed under: Egoism - No Comments →