A Baby Wrapped Into The Blanket Of This World

Dr. Michael LaitmanWhat is the difference between the perception of a baby, a teenager, and an adult? They are all living in the same world, just like you and I, and see it in front of them. But the degree to which each of them reveals this world depends on their development, and to the same extent each of them actively participates in his life. And the world also relates to a person according to his development.

Say, until age 10, a child is considered young and the contribution he makes is moderate, commensurate with his sensation and understanding. The entire difference between this childish perception and the adult one is “covered” by the environment in both senses of the word: both by concealing things that the child cannot understand correctly yet, and compensating for what he is unable to do himself. It turns out that a child receives everything from the world that he is yet unable to earn himself.

And exactly the same thing happens to us in the spiritual work. We are standing opposite the Creator, the upper Light that is at absolute rest, and nothing exists besides Him. But for now there is a concealment that hides the Light which we are unable to reveal, and that compensates for the shortcoming of our work.

When is it already possible to say that a person is in the state of Lo Lishma (for his sake), from which he proceeds to Lishma, bestowal? Only when he feels that he is definitely opposite the Creator, but there is a certain picture of reality standing between them. It is depicted by his qualities or sensations. This is an imaginary world that seems to exist to him—the friends, the group, and everything all around him. This is what still separates a person from the simple upper Light, from the quality of bestowal and absolute love.

For now he does not have these qualities. He makes calculations and behaves according to his development. But he already has a sensation and the right understanding that he stands opposite the Creator, separated from Him by the picture of this world, through which he works with the Creator. This picture of reality essentially consists of all of his uncorrected qualities, which conceal and protect (compensate), like “hair.”

After all, if everything was revealed to him, then of course he would not be able to enter the right relationships with the Creator.

That is how we should view our state. Only from this state of Lo Lishma, when we are sure that there is Lishma (bestowal), but we are not in it, can we gradually come to Lishma if we constantly and persistently try to reveal the Creator and view every occurrence as an opportunity given to us from above to correct our state of Lo Lishma and attain Lishma.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/19/11, Writings of Rabash

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Parting In Body, Don’t Part In Your Soul!

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: You are giving us good advice. Why don’t we hear and follow it? Teach us to do as you say.

Answer: One person can never succeed. Only a group of people who have a mutual agreement can reach the goal.

“We have gathered here to establish a society for all who wish to follow the path and method of Baal HaSulam,” as Rabash writes in his first article on the matter of the group. And we must move forth guided by this method, helping each other to reach the goal. We will certainly come to it, but only to the degree of our mutual assistance, the guarantee. We don’t need anything else.

Question: But what is preventing us from doing so?

Answer: We must begin doing it here and now. And when we part in body, we must not part in soul. I truly hope that we will keep and cultivate ever more the heavy potential we have accumulated at the present convention and before it. This is the essence of our work.
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From the 7th lesson at the Moscow Convention 6/12/11

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The Best Principle Of Advancement

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: How can a woman find the lack of desire for spirituality if she feels that she is happy and fulfilled?

Answer: If a person feels happy and fulfilled, he or she does not need anything else. However, if one feels happy and fulfilled, but at the same time understands that his state is a lie and deception, then he has to read and listen to what is said in the Kabbalistic articles. They are talking about our future states which we will be obliged to go through either by force or by our own will. If one reads these articles, if one becomes included in the common work, if one participates in the lessons, then he or she is bound to develop additional desires.

This means that you should feel happy, fulfilled, and joyful, but at the same time you should always aspire to even greater fulfillment and joy. This is the best principle of advancement.
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From the 2nd lesson at the Moscow Convention 6/10/11

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Kabbalists On The Nature Of Man And The Nature Of The Creator, Part 3

Dr. Michael LaitmanDear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Man’s Essence Is the Will to Receive

All the vessels and the bodies, both from spiritual worlds and from physical worlds, are deemed spiritual or corporeal substance, whose nature is the will to receive.
– Baal HaSulam, “The Freedom

Creation refers to appearance [relative to itself] of something that did not exist before [this realization]. This is considered existence from absence [and upon realizing it, it is called “the creature”]. Yet, how do we picture something that is not included in Him, since He is almighty and includes all of them together? And also, one does not give what is not in Him.

As we have said, the whole Creation that He created is only the Kelim (plural for Kli) of the souls, which is the will to receive. This is quite clear, since He necessarily does not have a will to receive, as from whom would He receive? Hence, this is truly a new Creation, not a trace of which existed previously, and is hence considered existence from absence [and the Creator fills it].
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah,” Item 4
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The Global World Does Not Divide Into Parts

Dr. Michael LaitmanThere are two forces that influence us: One drives us from behind, and the other pulls us forward. Accordingly, Kabbalah states that we have two ways to reach the goal.

1. If we make the force that pulls us forward greater than the force that pushes us from behind, we will advance in a comfortable and fast manner with understanding and desire. Then, a very pleasant and fast road to personal correction and the revelation of our perfect state opens up before us. In this case, we will perceive the current state as a turning point, a springboard for a very kind and good jump.

2. If we do not strive ahead and help everyone else, meaning all of humanity, the negative force will push us forward through suffering. Of course, taking into consideration our entire global interconnection in the modern world, we would suffer a great deal.

Thus, the people who have the desire and aspiration today must also understand their responsibility to the entire world. Their reward is also in it. To aspire toward the goal and lead forward is an enormous and noble purpose.

This is why we are creating a special portal now on the Internet, and we are collecting a huge amount of material for it. We are in touch with many sociologists, political analysts, and scientists who study the current states of society and the world in different regions. We see how concerned they are with everything that is happening.

Scientists are examining the current state of human resources that are left at our disposal such as gas, oil, water, coal, metals, and land, everything the Earth gives us. They are horrified because we are on the very edge of exhausting our resources. There are many articles already written about this, many more continue to come out, and we are collecting them. There is an enormous quantity of material.

There is also an enormous amount of material on education. We have reached a point where we are unable to raise human beings. We are able to provide them with some kind of education, although that does not guarantee that they will be able to find work afterward. Yet, we do not know how to bring up human beings, to raise a small child, the “small animal” as he is born, into a human being who lives in harmony, in a good connection with others as our global world demands now. We need to properly explain to people what it means to be “global,” in other words, to be completely interconnected.

I began my study and work with biocybernetics, the systems of the organism, meaning how it sustains itself, maintains an inner balance, and homeostasis within itself and its surroundings. It is an incredible system.

Medicine is based on this knowledge. Doctors use analysis and examinations to check the different parameters of the organism, which are in balance and which are not. There are special charts that show the existence and the state of our inner systems: pressure and temperature maintenance, the balance of electrolytes, acids, and so on. This refers to a huge block of interconnected data.

Our world society today is exactly the same. It can no longer be divided into separate countries as before. However, we are not yet ready for this psychologically. We do not understand it. We must develop and understand the global system and the balanced connection that it must maintain. This balance gives us the perception of a normal life.

As soon as one part of the common human organism falls out of its proper interconnection, illnesses immediately appear. Moreover, it can appear in different systems and manifest in different forms. We do not understand this yet. Scientists are still beginning to examine the global mechanisms.

Technology teaches us about the behavior of analog systems, global systems, and closed-circuit systems. As soon as we begin to imagine this in reference to human society, we see a horrible discrepancy with the state of affairs today. But nature is pushing us gradually toward a global worldview.
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From the 1st lesson at the Moscow Convention 6/10/11

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Understand One Another And Reveal The Creator

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: We all consist of the male and the female parts. How do I arrange the masculine and feminine parts within me to play the correct role in relation to the men’s group?

Answer: That is right, all of us consist of the feminine and the masculine parts. If both a man and a woman did not exist within each one of us, we would not be able to communicate with one another. Every molecule, every atom, every particle consists of two opposite parts; otherwise, it would not exist.

I can communicate and understand women specifically because there is a feminine part in me in addition to my dominant masculine part. Otherwise, I would not be able to comprehend what it is in any way. The breaking of the common desire (Kli) allows us to consist of opposite parts, which in turn allows us to contact, connect, and then unite.

For this reason, one needs to imagine within oneself a form of the opposite sex, the opposite part, and use this image to enter, if I am male, the feminine part, in order to understand, perceive, and see these requests, inner desires, aspirations, and try to be more sensitive to them. And the same applies to women.

Women very often are critical and demanding of men. Men need to be treated somewhat like children, and women need to be somewhat like mothers. This will be right, more correct.

A man is always under the influence of either a mother or a wife. We think that he is completely free, but in reality this is not true. In a correct society, first the mother and then the wife control a man. This really is a correct society because a woman is closer to nature, she makes fewer mistakes, and she is more balanced. I am speaking about ideal states, what nature has practically given us. And this is why we need to be more sensitive to one another.

We begin to understand the Creator when we have a proper connection with one another. The Creator is attained as the common element between us which consists of both parts. He is called “Boreh,” from the words “Bo” and “Reh,” meaning “come” and “see.” This is the Creator’s name. What does “come” and “see” mean? Attain this quality and then you will discover it within you—this will be the Creator. And how will we attain Him? We do so specifically through a mutual connection.

This is why a mutual, correct understanding, along with becoming properly closer with one another with the purpose of revealing the Creator, will bring us to the goal.
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From the 2nd lesson at the Moscow Convention 6/10/11

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Daily Kabbalah Lesson – 06.19.11

Writings of RabashWhat the Torah Being Called ‘The Middle Line’ Means In the Work
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The Book of Zohar – Selected, Chapter, Truma (Donation),” “As They” Item 163, Lesson 7
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Talmud Eser Sefirot Part 1 Table of Questions and Answers for the Meaning of the Words,” Item 5, Lesson 26
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Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah, Item 5, Lesson 5
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Matan Torah (The Giving of the Torah)
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Division Of Labor

Dr. Michael LaitmanIn Kabbalah, any state the creature is in is called a “world.” We descend and ascend the ladder of the worlds of Adam Kadmon, Atzilut, Beria, Yetzira, and Assiya. Our current state is called “our world.” Everything begins and ends with the state of the world of Infinity. The difference between the worlds tells us of the purpose of creation.

The initial state of the world of Infinity cannot be perceived. It is similar to a drop of semen which will develop into a fetus, and a person will be born. Only once he matures will he reach his adult, conscious state and understand where and what he is and what is happening to him. All of this stems from one tiny genetic code.

In the world of Infinity where everything originates, we are in the same state as a drop of semen. Then, we go through the second state, the stage of development. Finally, in the third state, we rise to the highest degree and together comprise one enormous desire called Adam.

Adam derives from the word “similar.” In other words, we are completely similar to the Light, the Creator. Kabbalah tells us that reaching this state is obligatory.

We can already see the beginning of this ascent in our current state. After having descended from above downward, we have now come to the Machsom, the barrier before the ascent. We are standing before it along with all of humanity.

It does not matter that there are only several million people in the world interested in entering the spiritual world. The rest of humanity is pushed forward by suffering. Our entire world is chased by suffering while we strive forward by our own aspiration instead of suffering. This is the difference between us and the general world. Unlike the masses, we advance on our own. Our desire pulls us forward.

Thus, there are two forces that advance us toward the goal. The first force draws us forward and attracts, while the second force pressures. It partially exists within us also. We are partially pushed from behind and partially advance on our own accord. However, the masses are only pushed forward by suffering.

Such is the “division of labor”: We must move forward; we must organize ourselves; we must understand what nature demands of us. What it demands is to reveal it, to uncover its exalted states, adapt to these states, and enter the next level toward eternity and perfection. Nature pulls us toward this.

At the same time, we must think about helping the masses who lack this opportunity, who experience suffering and an enormous pressure and have no idea of what awaits them ahead.
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From the 2nd lesson at the Moscow Convention 6/10/11

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Praise Your Friends!

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: Should I praise my friend of whom I am really jealous, and if so, in what angle and way?

Answer: I think so because when it comes to spiritual attainment, women can actually become closer by understanding that it is precisely their joint desire that is needed to reach, attain, and reveal the next degree, the upper world. When this third component, the next upper degree, exists, then women can become closer with one another. It cannot happen on the level of our world, but it can happen on the next degree, the level of the upper world.
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From the 2nd lesson at the Moscow Convention 6/10/11

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Don’t Turn Into A Pillar Of Salt

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: How can we conduct an internal analysis so as not to turn into a pillar of salt?

Answer: A person becomes a pillar of salt when he looks back, when he desires to preserve what exists, when he is afraid of losing what he has. This stops him from moving forward.

This means that we need to continually develop our collective desire. It is necessary to constantly determine, to analyze what the true goal is. Thereby we will move forward together.
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From the 2nd lesson at the Moscow Convention 6/10/11

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