Audio Version Of The Blog – 12.16.13

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Two Embracing Sparks

Dr. Michael LaitmanWhen I give a friend presents, I bring myself closer to the Creator because I perform the same actions of bestowal that the Creator performs regarding the desire of the friend, and I thus buy him, as Kabbalists advise: “Buy yourself a friend.” I work with his desire to receive and don’t look at the person. I don’t see a person before me but only a desire to receive. His face and his character don’t matter. What’s important is that there is a spark in him that yearns for the Creator. I have to have a partner who has the same spark that I have in order to reach the Creator. So I have no choice because he was sent to me from heaven as my partner and I have to accept him and work with him.

This means that “the Creator puts a person’s hand on the good fate.” This means that He brings him to a group and says: “Take it!” So I take, since I simply have no other choice. Here the rigid laws of nature work, like in physics: I have to use these forces in order to reach the desired result.

We have to connect at least two sparks, two Reshimot (reminiscences), two yearnings for the Creator, but the friend’s spark, just like my spark, is wrapped in a thick shell of egoistic desire. I can penetrate and reach this spark only if I buy his ego. This is very simple: I have to know what he wants and start bestowing and giving him one present after another. Thus I bribe his ego and he will stop rejecting me. The result will be that our sparks will get closer to one another.

My goal is not the friend, but the Creator! And although our intentions are totally Lo Lishma (not for Her sake), at the moment, the Light reforms us. The Light shines on us and begins to work between us. By giving the friend a present, I don’t only neutralize his ego, but also evoke and draw the Surrounding Light that begins to operate on my spark and on his spark. As a result our sparks get closer.

Our egoistic desires also get closer. We see that we can delight one another and fill one another even with our corrupt desires. Together we will feel better and things will be easier! We build a center by our common efforts and arrange everything in it and serve one another. It’s worthwhile. Everything is arranged that way in order to facilitate the first steps along the spiritual path for us.

Our world wasn’t created artificially or by chance. It was created as a result of the shattering of the vessels and therefore it is arranged that way in order to enable us to rise from this specific state to the world of Ein Sof (Infinity). We have all the means we need here, but we only have to follow the advice of Kabbalists.
[122890]
From the Preparation to the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/11/13

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Exact Calculations And Performance Guarantee Results

Dr. Michael LaitmanWe operate in the system of forces: reception and bestowal, and that is why any action should be calculated in terms of the law of the effect of force on matter. Then, there will be no doubts whether it could happen or not. The result will be determined precisely as by the laws of physics of this world.

Knowing the active force and the matter on which it acts, we can calculate everything in advance and evaluate the result. Similarly, we make calculations of some mechanism and are sure that it will work.

The same applies to a person’s internal spiritual work. Although we do not know all the laws of human psychology, determining desires, intentions, impressions, and reactions, but the wisdom of Kabbalah gives us a clear understanding and explains the principle of action of a human being as a mechanism, in which the upper force of nature operates.

We need to take part in all these actions and use the power of the Creator acting on our desire to enjoy. If we know how we react on the action of the force of bestowal, then we will be able to calculate all our reactions and actions; we will be able to plan in advance how we can attain the same force of bestowal like the Creator.

To create a group, we need to connect with the desires of others. We can do that by influencing each other with the same force with which the Creator acts upon us, that is, the force of bestowal. But a person does not have this true desire to bestow yet and he acts out of his egoism.

He just heard from the teacher and read in books that he needs to connect with others because only inside this connection the place for the revelation of the Creator can be formed. Therefore, he wants to act altruistically with respect to the other, although he has neither altruistic properties nor love for the other, but wants only to use them.

But it is possible to do because we live in our world in such special circumstances when we can act mechanically even against our desire. It turns out that one affects the other and thereby attracts the Light that Reforms. By my good attitude toward a friend, I produce in him a particular reaction on me. Every gift to a friend seemingly makes an opening in his heart. As a result, he begins to pay attention to me and react, although at first he was completely indifferent to me.

It will definitely happen because I use the laws of nature: I give to him, bestow, and thus buy a friend with my gifts. Gifts are my good attitude, my attention. Thus, I cause the same response in him.

First, this can produce an opposite reaction in him because he does not want to owe me anything. Instinctively, he can distance from me, become afraid that if I give him gifts, then I want to use him. In our world, we are used to in our world that there are no unconditional services. But time will do its work, and gradually the friend will be imbued with my care and will begin to answer me in the same way. Both of us will begin to treat each other nicely and thus will build a relationship between us. Developing it, we will create the place that the Light that Reforms can affect.

This will be our common Light that will build between us the area, which did not exist in this world previously, the area of our mutual bestowal! It will not be an influence of one egoist on another. Acting together, we attract a different Surrounding Light, goal-oriented, and it builds the area between us in which it will be able later to be clothed as the Inner Light.

It all works in this way. We can act on the degree of this world, at first even without a desire. But later, this desire will be changed by the influence of the Light that Reforms. Due to our connection with each other, at least two people, we will create a special area, as if we will be covered with one blanket. This “blanket” cover will become our common screen within which we will be able to obtain the revelation of the Creator and reach a spiritual degree.

We understand all the stages of this work based on the immutable laws, using the known forces. We just need to use all this correctly, like in any science, where I know that if I do not meet all the conditions, then there is no point in waiting for mercy. Conversely, if I have done everything correctly, then the result must be in the expected place and in due time as an outcome of my efforts.
[122826]
From the Preparation for the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/11/13

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Between Two Authorities

Dr. Michael LaitmanThere could be a condition where a person remains within a group physically, comes to lessons, participates in all kinds of activities and events, but in fact has already left the path and his heart is found in another place… .

Question: How is it possible to be careful and guard against this?

Answer: Only through humility and bowing the head. The ego burns in everyone, and therefore, my first action is nullification to the teacher, the lessons, and the group. First of all, I am not at all the wisest person among the students; rather the opposite, I want them to determine my way of life. For if I determine this myself, I will be carrying out the will of my ego exactly. And then I am no longer in the group. The moment that I get off the “train,” I am immediately found under the dominance of self-love.

In general, you have only two “authorities”: the group, which includes the Rav, the friends, the books, and the Creator, which comprises a complete unit; I and the world.

Question: I can “submit” myself externally. But how does one submit internally? What do I do with my thoughts and emotions? Can the person subdue them in a group?

Answer: There are two “scales”: On the one hand, the group that attracts the Ohr Makif (Surrounding Light), and on the other hand, the ego and the external world. So what is more important to me?

Between Two Authorities

Certainly I cannot  guarantee my tomorrow for myself, but if all the possibilities that are found in my authority are used, then I can tip the balance to the right side. There is no other way.

Question: If I see that my group doesn’t sufficiently match the spirit of Bnei Baruch, how can I submit myself to the friends?

Answer: Try to “submit yourself to them” except in what you must add to them.

Parents subjugate themselves regarding their children, not because they are beginning to listen to their opinions. Rather, their submission is from concern and caring for them. A mother serves her small child with what he needs and not with what he wants. He can scream: “Give me!” but she won’t give it to him, and in this way, from her side, she is serving him faithfully.
[122770]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/10/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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“An Attack On Workers”

Dr. Michael LaitmanIn the News (from MintPress News): “The day after two major developments in the U.S. saw worker pensions put on the chopping block in order to bail out state and local governments, an analysis in the New York Times shows that across the Atlantic, European nations are now stripping their worker protections and dismantling pensions as they follow the established American model of putting corporate elites first in a race to the bottom for cheap labor and deregulated capitalism.

“On Tuesday in Detroit, a bankruptcy judge ruled that city pensioners can have their earned benefits cut as he approved the largest municipal bankruptcy in the state’s history.

“Also on Tuesday, the state of Illinois passed a measure that dramatically alters the pension formula for retired workers and diminishes those benefit programs for current and future public employees. …

“Meanwhile, in an expansive piece in the New York Times on Wednesday, titled ‘Americanized Labor Policy Is Spreading in Europe,’ Eduardo Porter explains how European governments and policy makers—by following the U.S. example of cancelling collective bargaining protections, attacking pensions, and slashing wages—are not only expanding income and wealth inequality but are ‘radically changing the nature of Europe’s society.’ …

“Andrew Watt, an economist who heads the Macroeconomic Policy Institute in Germany, worries that the push for labor market deregulation will cascade from one weak country to the next, as all engage in a futile race to create jobs by gaining market share from one another in a world of insufficient demand. ‘Whichever country is weakest at the time is forced into major cutbacks. First Germany, now Spain, next France,’ he said.”

My Comment: Thus they come to war. The solution to the world conflict is in a conscious concerted transition to rational sustainable production and living standards. But it is not possible to even dream about it with human egoism. That is why it is necessary to first implement the course of integral education at least for the part of humanity that is freed from work as a condition for providing them with welfare. Otherwise, sliding to the bottom cannot be stopped.
[123032]

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Two People Are Good, Three Better

Dr. Michael LaitmanGenerally it is hard to find within one person all the good, desired qualities. However, when two or even three people are engaged in integral dissemination they complement one another. Then a new form is created that includes all these qualities. And this is good.

The optimal number of people in a team is three. An odd number is always better than an even one in decision making. However, this does not apply to the tens group where the mutual work is directed towards assembly and tuning between the friends.

In places where three people (as a minimum) work, it is possible to make a decision by a majority of votes: two against one. In this case it is impossible to tell who is leading them.

Therefore, teams which consist of three people or more, like five or seven, are the best. They will be able to organize between themselves the necessary connection to the upper layer of the group and work with the general public.

They should be equal. Otherwise, they will be unable to achieve an altruistic, integral charge which they have to carry to the masses.
[122876]
From Kab TV’s “Through Time,” 9/25/13

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A Breath of Oxygen

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: Correctional facilities have asked us repeatedly to teach integral upbringing, but we have not been able to get ourselves to go there.

Answer: Integral education in prisons and correctional facilities is a lengthy process. Gradually, you need to become part of a group with the prisoners and talk to the them about life in a way they can understand; this is not easy.

But on the other hand, they have a special susceptibility towards this. A person who ends up in prison begins to think about the meaning of existence.

Some of the people develop a defensive reaction and, on the contrary, they do not wish to think about anything at all. Other people either become depressed or begin to philosophize. Someone else becomes interested in mysticism or religion because people want to make their life a bit easier, they want to protect themselves from the harsh reality. But also, there are those who ask themselves about the meaning of life.

And you need to find the right approach to all of them.

Our friends have had great success working with prisoners in American correctional facilities and prisons. I have a huge pile of thank you letters from the prisoners as well as from the prison authorities.
[122873]
From Kab TV’s “Through Time,” 9/25/13

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When The “Point In The Heart” Is Discovered

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: How is it possible to determine that this person or another who is studying the integral method has discovered the “point in the heart”? According to which indicators? And why in this case must he be taken out of the integral group?

Answer: As long as a person is found in a regular state, like the entire group, then there are no problems. But the moment that you see that he is found in a descent, then it is necessary to take measures immediately.

You see that a person cannot understand what is happening, the whole world is dark for him, he feels depressed and doesn’t even know it: “Why is this happening with me?” It is very difficult to deal with this and overcome this the first time. It will be immediately understandable to you that with him spiritual development has begun.

In a case like this it is necessary to wait: It could be that everything will transform by itself and he will get out of this state. I don’t think he should immediately be taken out of the group. It depends on how he acts. If he is removed from what is happening, then this could influence the whole group. So it is possible to explain his condition to the rest of the group as a temporary, transitory illness, for he doesn’t understand himself what is happening with him.

After waiting awhile and analyzing his behavior, you can decide what to do with him. It is certainly possible and worthwhile to continue to keep him in this group, and it could be that profound changes like will take place in him that make it necessary to take him out of it.

As a start, you can give him material to read that fits well with our method, something very soft, for example, about free choice being found in connection with others, and the person will realize himself in this way.

Question: What should be done if, on the contrary, he enters into an active criticism and begins to pull the group apart?

Answer: You would need to suggest that the group analyze his state, to include him among them in an integral form and clarify the questions that he wants to ask.

The group will begin to discuss his questions itself without paying attention to him. It is not necessary to bother him. Let him listen and draw his conclusions.
[122724]
From Kab TV’s “Through Time” 9/24/13

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A Unique Position

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: How is it possible to go out to people for whom you are not an authority? Suppose that you are considerably younger than them or are less educated. How is it possible to approach people in the right way so that they will receive you well irrespective of your education?

Answer: Why is there no connection? I am trained, I have a unique education, a unique position, and therefore I have the right to talk about this. Besides this, I don’t talk on my own behalf, not because I have much life experience and am like an old man with white hair who curls his moustache and tells everyone the simple truth about life.

We are learning a scientific, psychological, and physiological method here. I have finished courses. Even though I am young, I am an expert with experience and must teach everyone the integral method. This is all.

Incidentally, not far from us is a university in which they have opened with a unique faculty for older people who are studying happily there. Young lecturers who could be their grandchildren are teaching them. And this is not terrible. The old people happily go there to study. This makes no difference at all, for goodwill smooths everything.
[122722]
From Kab TV’s “Through Time” 9/24/13

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Daily Kabbalah Lesson – 12.16.13

Preparation to the Lesson

[media 1] [media 2]

The Book of Zohar — Selected Excerpts, Parashat, “Beresheet,” Item 753 

[media 3] [media 4]

Talmud Eser Sefirot, Vol. 1, Part 2, Chapter 5, Item 55

[media 5] [media 6]

Writings of Baal HaSulam,Disclosing the Secrets

[media 7] [media 8]