Give Yourself To The Friends Without Leaving Out Anything

Dr. Michael LaitmanWrite down and learn what the intention has to be during the lesson: to merge with one another as one man with one heart, inside the system of our interconnection called “mutual guarantee.” On one hand, every person feels himself, and on the other hand, above this sensation he feels such a strong connection with others that he is unable to perform even one free motion. That is how devoted a person has to be to the group.

It’s as if I am weaved into a spider web through which all of my incoming and outgoing signals pass. I don’t have anything of my own in the mind or the heart. There is just one point remaining, which constantly yearns toward this net with all its strength, wishing to give itself to it.

This is self-rejection. To the degree I give myself to others, the Upper Light influences me and makes me a part of the common net. Then I feel how on one hand I am devoted to it, and on the other hand, it is all mine.

It’s the same as how a mother gives all of herself to the child and they both feel that the child is hers. One does not exist without the other. It says about this in the Song of Songs, “I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me.” That is how we must work.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/9/10, The Zohar

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Place Of Residence: The Group

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: At the lesson we have to aspire to one place and unite everything into one. However, over the years I have developed different notions of spiritual phenomena. When reading about Bina and Malchut, I perceive them differently. Is it possible to reduce them to one point?

Answer: They really do have to become one whole. In essence, Bina and Malchut are the qualities of the Creator and creation. We do not know exactly what this is, but nevertheless their interconnection and relationships indicate union.

Bina lowers a part of herself into Malchut, the letters “ELE” of the name Elokim. Malchut ascends into Bina, changing the name MA to MI. Behind the descriptions of these processes in The Book of Zohar we discern the bonds connecting them.

Accordingly, we have to build our intention. By uniting with the group, I see it as the place, the focal point where the quality of Bina, bestowal, or Elokim is revealed. That is where I raise my desires and yearnings. It is where I want to unite as a corrected part of Malchut.

I hope that Bina will help me by means of its vessels ELE, which are lowered intentionally in order to take care of me in order to become a motherly womb for me and raise me spiritually. That is how I should relate to the group.

The group is the system that is empowered to present Elokim, HaVaYaH, to me. It is the place where I receive nourishment, and from where the Lights and changes come to me.

My conception of the group depends only on how able I am to reject myself before it. The Upper One may take on any forms, but it happens only to the degree that the lower one ascends the degrees of self-rejection and becomes similar to Him, going through the phases of conception, feeding, and adulthood.

This is what I want when I subject myself to the group’s influence, the place that nourishes us. This should be my intention at the lesson: to constantly search for my place in the story about the interrelationships of Bina and Malchut.

They connect through Zeir Anpin, through HaVaYaH, the quality of mercy, the Light. This is the entire system that develops us. Our territory is the lower part of Bina, Zeir Anpin, and Malchut herself. That is where our entire life is, both the material and the spiritual.

That’s because reality is one. Even though we only see an illusory picture now, it is just a flaw in our perception, an illusion caused by meager understanding and sensation. When the fog begins to clear, the Upper World will come through from it, our connection with the group, with the other souls, which comes through in AHP, meaning in the lower part of Bina (ZAT), Zeir Anpin, and Malchut.

This is what all of the science of Kabbalah talks about. This is the expression of our relationship with the Creator, with the unity of HaVaYaH and Elokim, which we have to attain.

Therefore, we have to understand that ZAT de Bina is the corrected group in which we find ourselves. We will never reveal anything more. we discern only the degree of our ability to unite in the lower part of Bina, in the group. That is our place. By giving ourselves over into its power, we will reveal our true reality, which is concealed from us for now by a veil of hazy perception.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/9/10, The Zohar

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A Rose Among The Thorns

Dr. Michael Laitman“Introduction from The Book of Zohar,” Article “The Rose”: “Katnut [infancy/smallness] is called “a rose among the thorns,” since her bottom nine were emptied from the light of Atzilut and remained as thorns. Gadlut is called plainly “a rose” or “the Assembly of Israel.” This is why it was said, “There is a rose, and there is a rose.”

Question: What advice would you give a new student who finds himself at a Kabbalah lesson for the first time?

Answer: Our Source is called “Infinity” (Ein Sof). From there and through the World of Adam Kadmon (AK), the Light descends to the common Tabur (navel). Below are the Partzufim of the World of Atzilut: Atik, Arich Anpin (AA), Abba ve Ima (AVI), and ZON (Zeir Anpin and Nukva). Below them are the Worlds of Beria, Yetzira, and Assiya (BYA).

We study what is happening in the World of Atzilut. For us, it’s of utmost importance for here is where governance is conducted, where the past, present, and future are contained. It is concluded with the Parsa (border, separating line) which restricts the diffusion of the Light of Hochma (Wisdom).

Below, in the Worlds of BYA, there are the broken souls, whereas our world is all the way at the bottom, below the common finishing (Sium) line which stems from Infinity. Here, we exist in our bodies until we are awakened spiritually.

The souls raise their desire, their appeal for correction, to Malchut of the World of Atzilut. She utilizes her connection with Zeir Anpin and raises the souls’ desire to him.

To the extent that Zeir Anpin connects to Malchut, they become a joint Partzuf called ZON and ascend to AVI. Zeir Anpin ascends to Abba, the fatherly Partzuf, while Malchut ascends to Ima, the motherly Partzuf.

ZON obligates “father and mother” to give them all the necessary Lights, corrections and fulfillments, and then return to their places. There, they become “big,” acquire the adult state of Gadlut. This helps us clarifiy the meaning of the two states of the “rose” or Malchut: Katnut and Gadlut.

In the first state, she represents only the point of the Upper Sefira, Keter, whereas its other nine Sefirot are below the Parsa. Also here are the forces of filth (Klipot, shells). This is the meaning of the phrase, “a rose among the thorns”: Malchut among the Klipot. It is Malchut’s first, smallest state.

In her adult state, Malchut elevates her lower nine Sefirot, makes a Zivug (mating, coupling) with Zeir Anpin by unifying with him, and thereby becomes a genuine rose, blossoming to its full beauty. Malchut can become this way only when her “thorns,” meaning Kelim (vessels) that are unconnected and unfulfilled by Zeir Anpin, ascend to a Zivug with him.

All of this is evoked by the broken souls when they unite together, and it is they who bring about the correction of Zeir Anpin and Malchut. Herein lies our entire work: to bring about the correction of ZON until they reach their ultimate state.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/28/10, “Introduction from The Book of Zohar,” Article “The Rose”

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Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: In reality, I don’t like my friends at all. What states can help me recognize the Creator in the group?

Answer: You don’t like the Creator to the degree you don’t like your friends. In order to reveal the Light, you need the vessel of love. I connect with the inner point of my friend, with his spiritual desire.

If he is in the group, it’s certain that the Creator brought him here. The Creator gave the point in the heart to my friend, and this is why we are together. I have to connect to this inner point all the rest of the properties which I see in my friend and in myself.

These properties have to become the support, the ground for the growth and development of this point. All our desires will be building a new spiritual Partzuf around it.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/28/10, “Introduction from The Book of Zohar,” Article “The Rose”

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Faith And Reason

Dr. Michael LaitmanUnlike in our world where faith is called some assumption taken as a fact, in the wisdom of Kabbalah, faith means the sensation of the Creator. Faith is Bina, the property of bestowal. When we acquire it, we reveal the common force which fills the world. Then we feel it, exist in connection with it, and attain it. This is called reason.

In this case, why are we talking about faith above reason? When I exist in the egoistic nature, I have some knowledge or opinion.

In order to rise to the spiritual level, I need an external power which will transform me, and as a result will lift me to a new level of perception above egoism to the property of bestowal. This perception is called faith, the power of Bina. Meanwhile, our corporeal knowledge is received inside us, in the property to receive, in Malchut.

If I have achieved bestowal, faith, the Light of Hassadim (Mercy), then I become filled with the Light of Hochma (Wisdom) or reason. Once I become filled with reason (knowledge), I exist in the next state, in Malchut.

Once again, I have to rise to a higher degree. How do I do that? I do it with the help of faith, the power of Bina, the Light of Hassadim, bestowal. When I have the Light of Hassadim, I fill it with the Light of Hochma again. Then again I have reason (knowledge).

This way I advance by using faith above reason. This is precisely the lever that allows me to rise more and more each time.
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From Kabbalah for Beginners, “Faith” 12/24/10

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Dr. Michael LaitmanIt seems to us that we are in a world that really exists and is relatively stable. We don’t even allow the thought that everything we see is unstable and relative.

Humanity has always believed that the world really exists and that we’re living in it. This belief was strengthened by the fact that people saw our planet, the stars, and the galaxies. Although a person is born, lives, and dies, all of these things remain in their place despite the changing times. That is, everything that surrounds us exists outside of us. People believed it for thousands of years.

Then, the science of Kabbalah comes along and completely destroys the foundation upon which our perception was based. First and foremost, this science explains that everything we see before us actually exist within us, within our desire, and not outside of us.

This means that if the people I see before me exist in my head, then I exist there as well. According to Kabbalah, this is true, and our current perception of reality is false.

Kabbalah tells us that we have a “projector” in the back portion of the brain and that it projects all that I sense into images I see before me. This is how I’m able to see my own body as well as everything outside of it.

Kabbalists state this with grave seriousness, emphasizing the fact that it’s precisely due to the fact that I sense things within me and see them on the outside that I can reach special attainment, the revelation of the Creator. I see how, in each moment, everything around me changes and gains momentum. This happens in accordance with the changes in my qualities and it means that I’m drawing my reality.

The wisdom of Kabbalah tells us that besides the point called “I,” everything else is the Upper Light, the Light of Infinity, where I exist. The only quality of this Light is love and bestowal. On the backdrop of this love and bestowal I see my own qualities which are opposite to the Light.

It seems to me that there is a big world existing outside of me where everything is moving. However, all this is being projected by my desire, by my ego and its various qualities, showing me my inner picture as though on an x-ray.

Can I change reality? Yes, but under the condition that I change myself. This is very serious. I have my family, my work, and a big world around me. Although I sense all of these thing as solid, it’s still in my power to change it all.

If I begin to change myself, then I’ll change the world because a person is a miniature world that contains everything within him. On the outside, there is only constant Light of the World of Infinity.

Therefore, everything depends on the person. My perception of reality depends only on me, not on someone else.
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From the Introductory Lecture Series, “Perception of Reality” 11/23/10

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Dr. Michael LaitmanThe wisdom of Kabbalah is particularly the science that explains to us how to change ourselves. Then, accordingly, our world turns into a different, upper world in which various changes begin to take place.

Kabbalah tells me that I am situated against the Light, but I don’t feel it. Instead, like in an x-ray picture, I see my own qualities in front of me. In other words, if I see people, stars, or the whole world; all of these are my qualities against the Light.

How do I begin to change at least something in me? I want to make sure that this picture truly is a result of my inner world and that it is not coincidental. So, I begin this game. I change myself in some regard, and the picture around me also changes. I change a little more, and again the surrounding world changes slightly. It truly is an interesting game!

In the article “The Creator’s Concealment And Revelation,” Baal HaSulam writes that to a person who has a particular perception of reality it seems at first that some people are successful, others are miserable, and others are ill. However, after he changes himself, he sees that the same people are completely different. Those who seemed stupid, suddenly become smart, poor people become rich, and successful people suddenly lose everything.

In order to change your qualities and control reality through this, we are given a teacher, books, and a group in the present reality. If we use them to reveal the Light or Creator, the qualities of bestowal and love, we rouse the Light that exists outside of us, and this Light influences our desire, changes it until it becomes equal to Him, the Creator.

It turns out that if I desire to change something, I only need to change myself.
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From the Introductory Lecture Series, “Perception of Reality” 11/23/10

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The Garlands Of The Spiritual World

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: We are talking about a line and a circle, but I am missing some additional shape. It seems that there should be a cone also, not just a line and a circle.

Answer: Just like there is no one except the Creator and the created being, there is also nothing except a circle and a line. A triangle, a square, a hexagon (the unification of two triangles, an upper and lower one), and a diagonal line are artificial, temporary forms in the process of correction.

Only lines and circles exist in nature, and they turn into one whole in the World of Infinity. Where the intention is only for the sake of bestowal, the line becomes equal to a circle. The round Light of the World of Infinity spreads out in the form of a circle, passes through a line, and achieves a round shape again. Then, it comes down again through a line and comes to a circle again, and so on.

All the circles are connected to each other with lines, and the line segments interlace with circles. There are lots of such garlands. Atik, Arich Anpin, and YESHSUT consist of a multitude of such wonderful systems. Sometimes, space is depicted this way.

Each of us consists of such structures, and there isn’t a single detail that is not built from circles and lines. This is caused by the fact that GAR (the upper three Sefirot) of each degree consists of circles, and ZAT (the seven lower Sefirot) consists only of lines. Thus, both are present in each Partzuf and its part.

In other words, you have a connection with the World of Infinity through the circle, and through the line, you have connection to the line. Thus, you consist of these two shapes.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/19/10, Talmud Eser Sefirot

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Why Wait For The Blows?

Dr. Michael LaitmanIf you gain what you so passionately desire by going through a lot of pain, you give thanks for the bad like for the good. Obviously, it isn’t the path of Light, but such is reality. We, however, have to advance only by way of the Light, as it is written: “In Your Light, we shall see Light.”

Why can’t I feel this evil long before it hits me? Why can’t I run ahead of the blow? I know it is possible! If I enter the group, I receive an awareness of my evil from the friends. It isn’t the Light that comes from Above which reveals it to me, but I discover and recognize it on my own.

Making efforts to unite with the friends, I see how unable I am to do so and feel my total uselessness. At the same time, however, I receive the greatness of the goal, cry to the Creator for help, and advance.

Having received the Surrounding Light, I turn to the group again, only to feel resentment once more, and cry out to the Creator again. He provides the Light that Reforms. The Creator draws me closer to Himself and holds me up. I begin to feel, understand, and attain more, thereby moving ahead. Then, the cycle repeats.

This is a non-stop, unbroken action that must be performed at an infinite frequency, and you are to be constantly in it. Moreover, your plea to the Creator and to the group, as well as receiving the Surrounding Light, occurs automatically. One follows the other.

You simply “press the pedal” to move in the right direction. As to how all the “cogwheels” spin in the “engine,” you are not interested in that. So, why wait for the blows?
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/3/10, Writings of Rabash, Letter 24

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