Question: What exactly has this convention given us, to what level did it raise us?

Answer: In this convention I tried to show you the direct way from the person to the group and from the group to the Creator who is discovered within it. I suggest that you listen to this morning’s talk (Lesson Number 5 from the convention) a few times more. Within this half hour I tried to convey clearly, concisely, and emotionally how a person transfers his “self” from within himself to the group and begins to be happy with its happiness, to mix with it, to go into it. He leaves his ego out and transfers his “self” into the group.

When he connects with other friends this way, the Creator is discovered among them. And then each one of them and all of them together are happy already, not from what happens in the group, but from their discovery of the Creator; they are happy with that happiness, with that joy that he feels that He is this characteristic of bestowal.

This is the entire realization of the goal of creation: to give pleasure to the creature, meaning us, specifically through this state, this discovery, this experience, this intense feeling of happiness that you are going outside of yourself into the group and from the group into the Creator. It is up to us to intensify this transition. I would very much like for us in the time that remains until the convention in St. Petersburg, to all practice this, each of us and all of us together.

This is the most important question and in principle the only one. All the particular variations of the method of Kabbalah are derived from this. At the convention in St. Petersburg we will speak about real realization already.

We must maintain a constant connection between the groups in one area and between the areas, so that from the individual connection will be derived a more and more mutual connection. It is necessary to connect according to this kind of method. Specifically, it is very important to connect and not compete. It is unfortunate that there are friends who could have reached the convention and in spite of it all decided it was not for them and that they could sit at home. They have lost much. The Creator did this with them on His account and we can only be sorry for them.

It is necessary to go forward and only do everything possible to go outside of myself into the group. The convention in Krasnoyarsk is helping us with this very much, more than in any other convention. Besides this, we have been carrying out great and very useful work by causing an intense feeling of jealousy in our whole “Kabbalistic world”; it is too bad that they are not with us. This makes me very happy.

They really have something to be sorry about and I think it is too bad that they weren’t here even though they participated in all the activities virtually. I don’t want to extinguish in any way the sensation of sorrow that remains with them.

But on the other hand, if we connect with them, then this feeling of jealousy towards us will connect with us and we will receive this immense desire from them that we ignited in them. And they will receive from us that fulfillment that we discovered and aspired to here. So thanks to this mutual enrichment, all of us rise. Therefore, we are inviting everyone to connect all around the world with one big hug.
[110199]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk 6/16/13 Lesson 6

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Question: Is it possible to say that the goal of human existence is not progress according to the current understanding of the word?

Answer: It seems to me that this is already clear to everyone today. Everyone understands that the future is not to be found in the consumer society because it is impossible to be productive all the time.

Besides this, very large numbers of the unemployed are now appearing among us and we don’t know what to do with them. It hasn’t even occurred to us to bring them to studying integral education.

The main thing is that desires have changed in humanity. Since we are humans and not animals, our desires are changing all the time. They are no longer directed at constantly acquiring and discarding, acquiring and discarding. We are already refraining from this! Look at how the atmosphere of the Internet has changed. People are really tired of all the “dirty laundry” that is being aired out there! They are gradually rising above this. This is because the next stage will not be involved in this need to acquire and manufacture and buy and manufacture again and again at all. That stage is already behind us.

Soon capital will also lose its value! People will lose their yearning to display their material success in the marketplace of the pursuit of respect. On the contrary, this kind of bad taste will be considered as something nasty and vile. This is to say, that the opposite will happen, a gradual revolution; one can already see this on the horizon.

Question: But people are still motivated by the desires and external characteristics of personal success.

Answer: If people were to discover that it is possible to leave an eternal and perfect space, where you begin to feel your body as if it is like a dog or cat sitting next to you, and identify themselves with something completely new, existing in an eternal and perfect space, then what would they say? For what do they work and for what do they do in this life in addition to showing off to each other at these artificial meetings?

A person has possibilities in this life, not in some afterlife, but in this life, to go to the next level! Nature pushes us towards this. It just shows us how to do this: Be like me, and then, please rise to the next level so you will feel yourself in this new dimension that we are talking about.

This is a person’s business! And this is what billions of people on the face of the earth need to be doing! Every one of them is necessary because this mosaic, this Lego, adds itself to create a complete picture of perfection.

Moreover, the technique is very simple and is designed for everyone not just particularly talented and wise people.

If people were to turn just a billionth part of themselves towards the creation of a system of integral and virtual education, then the world would become completely different. A person would easily change his desires and begin to look at everything differently. This can work very simply for a person today.
[107655]
From KabTV’s “The Global Crisis”, 3/19/13

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Question: The upper world is composed of 125 levels of attainment. What happens with the soul if it rises to the fifth level, for example, does it have a free choice to advance further or to remain at this level?

Answer: Free choice doesn’t exist anywhere or in anything except regarding one and only one activity: strengthening the connection with the group.

Free choice is only in this. For if you don’t hold onto the connection with the group, then that power that you need to awaken in yourself in a good form to advance forward will constantly push you back through negative influence, through suffering. If you begin to flee from these sufferings, but not from your desire, rather against your will, then you advance like the rest of humanity. But if you understand that it is necessary to rise in spite of it all, then you must connect with the group.

There is no other free choice  in the world besides this choice. All humans on the face of the earth are enslaved and lack free choice. It is impossible to do anything in your present, past, or future if you don’t begin to change your fate with the help of the group and not choose going forward with an individual yearning instead of the stick that is pushing you from behind.

Therefore, the way for everyone is the same, but if you grasp this as desirable and pass through all the inner changes from your own free will, then you will begin to be changed from egoism to altruism. And if not, then nature will obligate you to change through great suffering that will eventually break you and you will agree to do everything yourself.

Question: So if a person doesn’t feel happy about his involvement with spiritual work, this is a sign that he is doing something incorrectly?

Answer: This is saying that he is not advancing. It is possible to advance only through happiness. Forward movement represents my preference for the characteristic of bestowal instead of the characteristic of reception, the characteristic of love instead of the characteristic of hatred. How is this possible if you are not happy with your choice? There cannot be anything like this. It is a sign that there is still no choice.
[110170]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk Day One 6/14/13, Lesson 2

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Opinion (Sergei A. Kravchenko, psychologist at Moscow State University): “We define dead communication as communication of strangers on the phone, via email, Internet, and via other methods. Unlike live communication, dead communication forms only rational structures in humans, without affecting the emotional spheres of the mind, and causes alienation of people.

“People spend more time watching TV, on the phone, on the computer, and in meetings. At the same time, they are trying to get rid of emotions that, due to the media, are filled with light entertainment. The collapse of culture creates the preconditions for the younger generation become ignorant. The thin line between morality and ethics, conscience and the law, good and evil, love and hate leads, to the dominance of negative forces. The prevalence of dead communication over live communication is planetary in nature.”

My Comment: There is no doubt that the absence of heartfelt live communication exerts a negative influence both on human psychology and physiology. But it is possible to correct it not by psychological training, which no longer works as practice shows, but through the introduction of integral education: This is what will bring warmth, participation, and confidence into everyone’s world.
[110612]

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Opinion (Jens Weidmann, head of Deutsche Bundesbank): “A broad deepening of fiscal integration leading toward a ‘fiscal union’ in the euro zone requires deeper public support than currently exists both inside and outside Germany, European Central Bank Governing Council member Jens Weidmann said Monday [June 17].

“Speaking at a reception sponsored by the local chamber of commerce, Mr. Weidmann urged a ‘realistic’ approach such as deepening of the fiscal policies in the single currency zone. He said that support among the broader public for such a move in the face of the euro zone crisis at present is seen ‘neither in Germany nor in partner countries.’ Mr. Weidmann is also head of the Deutsche Bundesbank.”

“Elsewhere in Europe, Bundesbank chief and ECB official Jens Weidmann claimed that there was nothing more the central bank could do to help solve the region’s crisis while speaking in Paris. He said the ECB Governing Council has agreed that monetary policy cannot solve the crisis and that the bank has already gone to great lengths to try to mitigate the damage. Now, Weidmann said, it is up to individual governments to make the necessary structural reforms.” Source: International Business Times

My Comment: Gradually life will force us to accept the need for full integration as a mandatory condition to overcome the crisis. Nature will compel humanity to unite. We are weak and dependent on it. So, it is better to become wiser in advance and recognize that salvation and prosperity are in unification.

We must proceed with the full change of the structure of civilization: the satisfaction of all basic needs and not more and all our other opportunities to be directed only to the creation of a single organism of unified civilization.
[110556]

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Question: Young people who are studying both in schools and universities are still children but at the same time they already have an absolutely mature attitude. There is such a large gap between these two states that it is as if it “splits” them. Therefore, it is very difficult for adults to communicate with them.

Answer: At school they naturally behave like regular children. Accordingly, the relationship and the demands on them remain on the same level.

During the integral process, they transform very rapidly into adults but not as usual adults, instead they are like those who are connected. They form another social structure. We call on them to participate because this structure is the best and most fertile for both internal spiritual development, intellectual development, and generally for success in life.

Therefore, the integrality they acquire smoothes out any differences in their opinions when on the one hand, they enter into a mature society and study at a university and on the other hand, at the age of 14 they are still children. The integral relationship between them connects these two polarities, softens them so they become simpler, easier, and smoother; they feel mutuality. It follows that those with integrality take upon themselves the burden of adulthood they still may not want to take on. Through a correct approach like this we can straighten out all the problems.
[106705]
From a Talk on Integral Upbringing 4/4/13

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Preparation to the Lesson

Shamati #175 “And if the Way Be Too Long for Thee“

The Book of Zohar — Introduction, “The Donkey Driver,” Item 89, Lesson 34

Talmud Eser Sefirot, Vol. 3, Part 10, “Histaklut Pnimit,” Item 22, Lesson 59

Writings of Baal HaSulam “Peace in the World,” Lesson 5 

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The second principle of relationships between married couples says: “Each one must try to elevate the mood of the partner all the time.” Every person always welcomes the opportunity to improve his mood. And in a circumstance like this you need to see yourself as more than a partner, like a mother who cares about the welfare of her child.

That is to strive to please the other, to improve his mood, to be concerned that things will be good for him, to try to bring him what he loves, to prepare, to arrange things for him. And I need to show that I am doing this especially for the sake of my wife that I want to give her pleasure. I give her an example of behavior that I would like to see from her in relation to me.

This is talking about a married couple that learns to build the right relationship with each other. We understand that we are two egoists that must correct the condition of our family. Therefore, each one shows a different example and has the privilege to remind the other of how he needs to behave.

Together with this, it is very important to lift each other’s mood because we want to build a connection between us! A good mood helps open the person and a bad mood causes him to withdraw within himself. Therefore, in a bad mood, he is not prepared to connect with others.

If the partner is found in a depressed state like this, it is not possible to make him happy about anything, then it is necessary to descend to his bad mood, to share in his concerns, to try to see everything through his eyes, to agree with his assessment, and to justify him one hundred percent. And after you feel you are found in the same mood, in shared anger, try to take him out from there. For without connection it is impossible to bring the person out of a descent, it is first necessary to grasp him somehow.

And if you try to make the partner happy in this state, then this is liable to create the opposite effect and your optimism will summon within him even greater anger because you are standing opposite each other. First we must attain a connection, solidarity, to feel each other, and only after this, gradually, very slowly begin to lift his spirits, this will be the right psychological approach.

Every state needs to be exploited for the work of nullifying yourself. For example, you come home and see that your house slippers are not in their place, so you are happy that you have the opportunity to rise above your anger and that you receive material on which to work. You know that you will benefit from this in that you will empty an area within yourself for a deeper connection.

A person needs to get compensation for his concession so he will feel that it is worthwhile for him to make this concession, for in a form like this he gains love, a good connection, and even something higher! Within these feelings suddenly some kind of unique elevation appears that he rises from the level of the beast to the level of a human relationship and he can understand that it was worth it.

Question: What if I go home and see that he is wrapped in a storm cloud? My wife is in a bad mood and I’m terribly angry, I’m infected by the bad mood. What should be done in a circumstance like this?

Answer: Go look for a good mood the same way you would look for your house slippers! Search for ways to improve her mood and yours. You now need to become a psychologist in regard to your wife and search for a scientific approach to her, constructive and thoughtful, to build a connection like this with her that will take her out of despair and anger and will raise her to another level of relationship to life. Now you are working like a true psychotherapist.

And you even have stronger tools of influence than an external psychologist because you can approach your wife, hug her, and in a relationship of trust ask her what happened. First of all hug her, this will thaw everything immediately. This is like everything in life that brings a person pleasure and a feeling of support.

The whole method of familial relationships is supported by concessions and the connection that is attained with them by overcoming your ego so that “love covers over all iniquities” by helping the other, by giving an example of how to connect back with you. Everything necessary is already in these words; I have nothing more to add.
[110078]
From a Talk on Integral Upbringing 8/1/12

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Everything that we want to attain in spirituality, which is the attribute of bestowal, can be attained only by our unity. So if we want to learn something during the lesson in the convention we can do that only if we imagine the unity between us. To the extent that we imagine this, to the extent we aspire for this, even if we don’t understand the upper unity (above our ego) exactly, even if we are only trying to imagine all that in our current attributes, it already spurs the upper Light, which means the next level that bestows upon us and “draws” us to it.

To advance is to ascend as a result of the influence of an upper level, which illuminates upon you to the extent that you are drawn to it. So every time we try to connect before a lesson, especially during conventions, we have to accurately focus on that.

If a person tries to create such inner tension by himself and to search for it, it will lead to nothing if it doesn’t go through the society, through connection, through the attribute that operates when many unite into one whole. After all, we were shattered so we would collect ourselves and feel spirituality independently, so we would be a spiritual “embryo.”

When we descend from the top down unconsciously, from the world of Ein Sof (Infinity) to our world, we have no knowledge yet, no awareness, no feeling, since it all happens as a direct result of the Light, or under the influence of the Direct Light. So we don’t exist yet, we are only on the first levels of our development. We have to develop just as our universe developed from energy to a material form through the levels of the still, vegetative, animate, and human beings.

The ascent from the bottom up, now that we are only beginning to implement it to all of humanity, can be performed only according to the unity between us or more accurately, according to our efforts to unite. We don’t have to unite, it is impossible, but we can aspire for that. To the extent that we aspire for that, we create the conditions to get closer to the next higher level, and then the first spiritual level illuminates upon us. By our attempts to unite, we spur its influence according to our yearning for unity.

If a person aspires for attaining spirituality without this influence, then no matter how he does it, he will only attain the distortions that exist in the world today: religions, beliefs, various methods, etc., many of which are based on different connections. If, on the other hand, we aspire to find ourselves in the center of unity (since we don’t exist otherwise), which means to create something common, whole, spiritual, the general vessel that was before the shattering, then we will draw the Ohr Makif (Surrounding Light) upon ourselves to the same extent. So let’s control ourselves and examine ourselves.

Any personal attempt to learn something, to understand, or to feel is wrong if it is not immediately aimed at unity and through it to exiting. Then the “I” becomes “we” and “we” becomes one whole in which we already begin to feel the upper level.

So the most important thing is to imagine this general state, the general vessel.

We have to train ourselves for this state. Here our very attempts are important, no matter what they are: if our search fails, when you constantly fall into your ego, into your personal desire and feeling. All these efforts are actually good, lead us towards the goal, and are accepted. It is just like a small child who constantly tries to do something and although he doesn’t succeed, it is such attempts that help him grow and eventually turn him into a skillful, understanding adult.

So we have to examine ourselves especially regarding this point. We have to get used to it just as we get used to every action or different perspective that seems strange at first. First, our ego will certainly reject this until we see some benefit in it for ourselves. But it is its help called “help against” that gives us the chance to make certain efforts when we enter and when we exit, that means when we are thrown out of thoughts about unity and by making artificial efforts, we remind one another about it and unite again in our thoughts, no matter what the outcome is, whether we succeed or not and whether it is easy or difficult.

Of course we will succeed less and less since the ego that we need in order to attain the first spiritual level is not a simple thing. Compared to the ordinary ego it is much greater and more sophisticated. It is our spiritual ego and it belongs to a different level, to the “human” level. It is based on the integrality that is above our nature, above the speed of Light, above the understanding of cause and effect that we see in our world. This ego is different not only in power but also in its inner intensity. Its structure is more complicated.

It is as if we build electronic circuits from different components and they begin to communicate with one another. They used to be separate parts: capacitors, resistors, diodes, and transistors, but they didn’t work. Each of them seems to be living a minimal life, but the circuit itself actually begins to work only when it is put together correctly and is connected to a source of energy, to the upper level.

So we mustn’t forget that our ego will constantly grow and that it will always be increasingly more difficult to reach the thoughts about our collective powers about the collective feeling and the collective mind. But in this way we reach the state of our initial connection.

The example of the electric circuit helps us understand that the main thing is the initial connection. Then more and more elements that cooperate better, join it and tune to one another, enter a “resonance,” and adjust themselves to one another. This is the spiritual ascent.

Then it is simpler. If someone starts working and if there is minimal life in this circuit, it becomes easier. After all, now you will work with the spiritual level with new data. You examine these instruments, you know them, you feel them, which means that you constantly adjust the circuit and tune it to work better until it becomes a system that functions fully at its utmost level.

But in the meantime, we have to assemble it first. After all, the moment we reach the minimal spiritual effort, there will be an immediate connection to the source and the beginning of a movement in the circle of connection between us. Then we begin to feel the upper mind and already work according to its laws.
[110009]
From the Convention in Krasnoyarsk 6/13/13, Lesson 2

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