Audio Version Of The Blog – 01.02.14
Posted on January 2nd, 2014
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Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Book of Zohar,”: Thus, the Thought of Creation itself necessarily dictates the creation of an excessive will to receive in the souls, to fit the immense pleasure that His Almightiness thought to bestow upon the souls. For the great delight and the great desire to receive go hand in hand.
The purpose of creation is to benefit. Whom? To anyone who wants to get this benefit. To what extent is it possible to bring him benefit? To the extent he wants to receive it. It turns out that the Creator needs to create in the created beings the desire, matching His benefit. If the Creator wants to give the created being endless pleasure, to bring him unlimited fulfillment in all directions, then it’s necessary to create such a being that could understand, comprehend, and feel endlessly.
But that does not mean just to be fulfilled. The goal is in another thing so that the created being constantly wants more, without limit, without end. How can we get this ability? How can I form the vessel of desire that will always want more and never be filled? Is this possible?
Comment: It’s necessary to be integrated in the group.
Answer: Well, I integrate in the group, put myself under its influence, and adopt the friends’ desires. But eventually, the end will come. Can we imagine an infinite desire?
Comment: We need to take fulfillment beyond the limits of desire and then it will become unlimited.
Answer: Correct, this is already a solution. Fulfilling myself in the end I always “become closed.” We understand that in order not to “close” the vessel of desire, the opposite approach is necessary, which is based on bestowal, love. Striving to get outside, being out of myself, it can then be unlimited in my senses.
And yet, isn’t this vessel unlimited? After all, I give others what I have. Even if I obtain their vessels, desires, I fill them with what I have. This already imposes a limit.
In essence, here is a question of whether it’s not enough to love only created beings. Why do we have to achieve love of the Creator, mutual bestowal with Him? Indeed, this is the condition: In order to do good to His created beings, they have to enter into relationship with Him, which is based on bestowal – reception.
Meanwhile, we cannot imagine what the infinite love of the Creator is. We have nothing infinite inside and that is why these words tell us nothing. Even the entire universe is not limited, as it has been discovered. In fact, there is no true concept of infinity in our world. “I love you immeasurably,” we say. But it means, immeasurably for the time being. We cannot comprehend true boundlessness; it’s not manifested in our senses.
On the contrary, we feel that we exist only due to limits because of restrictions. We perceive our existence; see ourselves and our surroundings within this framework. But in boundlessness, everything will immediately disappear, and it’s a terrible sensation. It’s called the “illumination of Malchut,” which is revealed in the form of a dark abyss. There’s nothing worse than it.
[124182]
From the 4th Part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/29/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam
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Question: We see many corruptions in human nature but we don’t have an example of the corrected state. So how can we clarify things? How can we draw our path from incompleteness to completeness? Why didn’t the Creator give us an example?
Answer: Indeed, we have no examples of the perfection of the goal. But let’s suppose that I study how to create a sculpture or how to draw. In Rodin’s Museum in Paris there are groups of students studying how to sculpt according to the famous statue of The Thinker. It’s probably a good way to study. They study the different elements and become familiar with the details of the human body in order to sculpt it.
But what if I continue to copy from a ready made model when I graduate? Would I be able to become a real, creative independent artist? No. The best I will be able to do is to copy what someone else does. But I will not be able to express myself that way, I will only make a certain duplicate and that’s all.
It turns out that if there is a ready model before me I will never understand what it means to be the Creator, and we want to resemble the actual idea of the Creator. On the way I correct what He has done, but it’s only a means, and theoretically it could also be different. The goal is to reach His level and to be there, to acquire the ability to make all of reality from nothing.
Question: What kind of stimulus for that can we find in our world?
Answer: First you have to start from nothing, like Him. In the same way a person in our world invents something that did not exist before.
Question: But how can I start from nothing?
Answer: That’s right, we don’t understand that. But without this I will not be like Him. Without this I will remain on the level of traditional science that copies and uses what it finds in nature, medicines, chemical substances, and different metals—all this is a complex, sophisticated copy of what we find in nature. I study different elements and then I learn how to put them together successfully. This isn’t real art, it isn’t creativity; by doing so I merely follow nature.
For example, we calculate the features required for the walls of a submarine and then we find the right combination of metals to build it, but we don’t build it from nothing since we use something that already exists in nature. In our world we simply don’t understand what it means to be the Creator. Even the most brilliant and ingenious ideas cannot compare to it.
Why do we need the Restriction and the Reflected Light, total darkness, and uncertainty with regards to the upper level? We do so in order to really create something that didn’t exist before.
What do we create? We create the Creator, design Him and make Him out of emptiness.
[124034]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/27/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam “Introduction to The Book of Zohar”
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Question: What can I say to a person who wants to “attain the world in one hour”?
Answer: It is said: “There are people who attain their world in one hour.” In one hour means by one action. One action can only refer to connection. Attaining one’s world in spirituality refers to a certain revelation of the true reality in contrast to our fictitious reality. The stronger we can connect, reaching not just a quantitative change, but a qualitative one, the sooner we reach great success and discover a new world.
We are preparing for a great convention with this motto. Although it doesn’t mean that this motto should actually be written, this will be our intention: to fulfill this opportunity and to attain the spiritual world in one hour. At the congress, we will meet people who are distant from us, people who have had no contact with us, those who have learned about the wisdom of Kabbalah via our TV channel or the Internet and do not know each other.
We invite everyone and we hope and expect them to reach a feeling, an understanding, of what spirituality is by being incorporated with us. We can do this in a short time during the days of the convention or even in the few hours that a person will attend the convention with us. Therefore it is said: “There is a person who attains his world in one hour.” A person a long the journey of his life doesn’t know where the greatest treasure that can give his life meaning is. We, on the other hand, do have a special book, The Book of Zohar, which we want to open for everyone.
[124160]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/29/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam
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Baal HaSulam, Shamati #19, “What is the Creator Hates the Bodies in the Work”: We must know that “God hath made even the one as well as the other.” It means that as much as there is disclosure in Kedusha, to that extent the Sitra Achra (Other Side) awakens. In other words, when one claims, “it is all mine,” meaning the entire body belongs to Kedusha, the Sitra Achra, too, argues against him that the whole body should serve the Sitra Achra…
One must know that it is a sign that this work hits the target.
All of nature, all the levels from the bottom up, still, vegetative, animate, and speaking nature, and also every level width wise, every cell, every species, are all based on the connection between opposites. A difference means oppositeness, a plus and a minus. Everything, from the tiniest particles to the bigger structures all connect since they are opposite from one another and can thus add or complement one another.
So nothing can be stable unless it is made of two opposite parts. Only when two opposites can mutually complement one another, despite their oppositeness, can they exist. This is the only way the connection between them can exist and the only way they can exist.
This principle stems from the initial development of the Light, which means “something from something” that created the matter of the desire to receive as “something from nothing.” We can discover the Light only in the desire and the desire can exist only if the Light sustains and revives it.
So in all of creation, every discernment in any thought, in any desire, in any action always includes two opposite parts that are in relative balance. So if there is goodness, there must also be evil in it which balances the goodness. It’s because of the evil that a person can discover the goodness and vice versa. There cannot be one without the other, just as we cannot be balanced standing on one leg, but we always need two legs. So it’s clear that we develop by two opposite forces, and each time one overcomes the other alternately; the right leg is put forward and then the left leg, and this is how one advances.
So when we are not very developed, we think that everything has to be ideal and that ideal means one thing for us. But when we grow, we understand from our experience and by the expansion of our perception that the states must be complex, and that they must always include two forces, two opposite attributes. Only then can they exist, as it says: “and there was evening and there was morning, one day,” only according to this principle.
[124083]
From the Preparation to the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/27/13
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Baal HaSulam, “Disclosing a Portion, Covering Two”: … the secrets of the Torah are revealed only to those who fear His Name, who keep His Glory with their hearts and souls…
Even though we tend to feel “reverence,” we must realize that trepidation is a law that we are talking about here. The Book of Zohar writes that fear of the Lord is the first condition, the first correction that precedes the next step, love. If one doesn’t yet feel trepidation or has not yet acquired the vessels of bestowal, the level of Bina, one cannot attain the Creator.
That’s why it is said that the secrets of the Torah are revealed only to those who fear Him. The vessels have to be corrected so that the Light can dress in them due to the equivalence of their properties. We are not talking about ethical teachings here, but about a firm conformity to the law. A “mystery” is something that is revealed to one who fears the Creator, i.e. to those who rise in their self-correction to the level of Bina. Only they happen to reveal things that were previously hidden from them.
It is said in Midrash Rabbah: “Everybody who fears Me and follows the directions of the Torah has the whole Torah and the entire wisdom in his heart.” A simple condition applies here: similarity of properties between the vessel and the Light.
Question: This excerpt is about those who “fear His Name, who keep His Glory with their hearts and souls…” Is it the same thing?
Answer: No. “Fear” means that one has a screen and the reflected Light at a level of Bina, whereas “keeping His Glory” is at a higher level. The Torah contains the words of Moshe (Shemot, 33:18): “Show me Your Glory.” This is a level of Hochma, a perfect faith, vessels that receive for the sake of bestowal.
On the other hand, we bestow through vessels/desires that tremble in front of the Creator, thus we initiate our “acquaintance with the Creator,” yet a passive one – same as in this world where we live without knowing much about it with the exception of things that provide our sustenance. In spirituality it is quite similar; an analogue situation precedes the next step – the revelation of the Creator that lets us penetrate in His laws, His nature. How do we do this? For that, we have to receive the Light of Hochma; it becomes possible only if we keep and reveal His Glory. His Glory is in fact the Light of Hochma.
That’s why it is said: “Show me Your Glory.” It’s about seeing and knowing.
Question: What does it mean “to fear the Creator”? What do we have to be afraid of?
Answer: The one who experiences trepidation in front of the Creator is afraid that he won’t be able to please Him maximally. We should not worry about ourselves, our families, or about this world, but just about Him. If we keep His Glory, that is, reveal the Light of Hochma, it’s even better. However, for that we have to use not only the vessels of bestowal but also the ones of receiving.
As to trepidation, let’s say you love and respect somebody very much. It means that you constantly think of what you can do for those you love and how to please them.
Question: What pleases the Creator?
Answer: If you constantly think about this, you’ll find the answer. He needs your concern. If you really are eager to know what exactly He likes because you want to please Him, it’s already the Reflected Light. The Creator will reveal Himself and will show you what you are supposed to do on one condition: that you enjoy taking care of Him and are happy having the opportunity to please Him.
In this case He interacts with you and you both give pleasure to each other. By doing so, you feel love.
Question: Who exactly do we want to please? Who is the Creator?
Answer: You should be careful and never materialize these notions. “The Creator” (Bo-Re) is the property of bestowal that reveals Himself in us according to the principle “Come and See” (Bo-Re). We “play” and “have fun” with Him and He enjoys our “company.” We should not treat this property as a personality, but rather as the Upper Root.
Question: What do I have to imagine before this reveals in me?
Answer: There are certain details of perception that are inbuilt in us and let us see the upper reality. Gradually, we transition from love of the creations to loving the Creator. This level is gradually formed and built in us.
The answers to fundamental questions are hidden: Why does this step appear above our current nature? Why is it contrary to our egoistic desires? Why are creations built this way? Why is it so arranged that in the creation’s search of the Creator has to be “above reason” and go against its desires? …
In any case, now, we do not have any idea of who the Creator is, nor should we “draw” Him in one form or another.
Question: How should I relate to the upper force at this time?
Answer: You have to relate to it through your friends and your teacher. In this case, you won’t make mistakes.
[122943]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/13/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam
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Opinion (Michael Khazin, economist and political research analyst): “Modern society bears a heavy contradiction within itself: it is organized post-industrially; its management system is built on the feudal principle of a rigid vertical; the elite is arranged by tribal lines. As a result, problems arise all the time.
One of the ways to overcome them is to increase the number of wealthy people – the financial elite. Due to the credit system, the number of rich people increased by 10 times compared with what the economy can sustain. This allowed to greatly decrease the destructive activity of talented and energetic people, who normally could not have access to the “system” since it is just not big enough.
“Two questions arise: First – What can be done with those who are active, but not rich yet? Where could they be pushed? To fascists? To communists? To Wahhabis? All three options are extremely dangerous for the government and the elite, but the alternative is not visible. Second – What can be done with those active and already competent, who are still rich, but due to circumstances will soon cease to be?
“To put it bluntly, using the activity of those who have already lost all hopes for the future (including those who have already become either a Wahhabi or a fascist), the nouveaux riches may try to topple the current government and its elite under the pretext that they could not avoid a huge crisis, with which they do not know what to do. In my opinion, this is the main danger for the modern elite.
“In the past decade, the share of profits which the financial sector redistributes in its favor grew at least 5 times – from 10 to 50%. As the crisis develops, it will fall in the best case for financiers to the same 10% (and most likely even more). The economy itself will fall by 50% in the developed countries, which means that in absolute terms the financial sector will be reduced by an order of 10 times. How many people who will be left in it who will be able to maintain a standard of living above the average? Where will those who today provide luxurious consumption go?
“This conflict – between the elite and the “nouveau riche” who have grown over the past decade – will become the basis for the destruction of Western society and the entire liberal ideology.
My Comment: The egoistic ties that held and developed society throughout centuries are broken, and the egoistic society that developed naturally and existed for tens of thousands of years is beginning to break down. This destruction is not like the transition from one regime (formation) to the next; it is the destruction of all the foundations of society; it is the transition to new, altruistic ties, through suffering or the awareness of the need.
This type of public relations needs new people for whom a feeling of life is in the property of bestowal upon others and not in the property of reception from others. This is a form of anti-world. It can be obtained only under the influence of the Upper Light that can be attracted only by the method of integral education (Kabbalah).
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In our days a very great conflict is being created between the elites and the impoverished masses. With every passing day the gap between them grows and is acquiring threatening dimensions. The tension is growing in society. We see how nationalistic, fascists regimes are gradually rising in many countries as a natural reaction to what is happening.
The elites cannot part from the movement towards wealth. With each devaluation, they are becoming wealthier, while the masses become more and more impoverished and lack perspective. A serious problem is created in society. The tension and polarity reach very great dimensions and already begin to be felt in the developed nations.
The third world nations still live in poverty and it’s doubtful if their inhabitants will ever succeed in reaching a condition of wellbeing. A question about the future of the world is appearing: What can be done about all this? The wisdom of Kabbalah warned about the development of events like these. What we talked about 10 – 15 years ago is beginning to be realized now; moreover, this is being realized very rapidly.
We can expect to see conditions that will not be good for us. People feel this. The feeling of no escape can be seen in their lack of desire to raise families, to give birth to children. A tremendous number of people living in the western nations and in America (65 – 70%) suppose that it will be much worse for their future children than it is for them; therefore, they don’t want to give birth to them.
In such a complicated time like this, the wisdom of Kabbalah has appeared, a hidden method for changing the world, which has waited for this moment and which warned about it many years ago. We know that Baal HaSulam traveled to Poland to convince people of the need to change. He wrote to many leaders in the world trying to prevent the Second World War. For Kabbalah speaks about this, that according to the development of creation in four stages there may be four world wars.
Kabbalah begins to proclaim louder and louder that it has a means for helping the world that has no need for anything besides this. We see how the greatness and importance of scientists and philosophers has fallen, how the leaders of the nations are gradually impotent. This is the natural movement of evolution which cannot be stopped.
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From the Moscow Virtual Convention “Unity Without Boundaries” Day Three 12/15/13, Lesson 5
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Question: We are accustomed to the fact that in order to change society we should have some kind of plan….
Answer: There is no plan! There is only natural progression! How did humanity originally evolve? According to the same principle! We cannot make a plan like Baron Munchausen’s: Tomorrow at nine o’clock in the morning do something heroic, because this is true and natural development.
The main thing is to combine the second altruistic force and allow nature to develop the integral society comfortably, there is no need for anything more than this. It will build itself by itself. Only in this way do we make the right society; nature does this. It summons in us some drive and we apply it further, making an effort and scrambling like a sperm that finds its way and produces a new life.
So the old society will begin to organize an additional system, a new society.
This system is built in a natural way. There are no obligations and dictates in it. We don’t tell anyone what to do, rather only teach people how to mutually communicate between them correctly through the principles of bestowal and love. There is nothing more than this.
Egoism is simmering in you all the time. But in opposition to it, with the help of the surrounding society, the examples and support from the friends, you try to show yourself as loving and bestowing to the environment.
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From Kab TV’s “An Integral World” 10/24/13
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Question: Which of our egoistic needs will be less valued and which will be better in the integral state? That is, will there be a need to change them all?
Answer: There is no need. If egoism will begin to work in the right partnership with altruism and they complete each other, there will only be benefit from it.
Think about what is happening in our body: a huge amount of all kinds of reactions, connections, disconnections, mutual destruction, births, and so on. A body that is assaulted by a multitude of hostile elements and germs destroys or corrects them. There is a great struggle, constant work of analysis and synthesis of the data obtained, and decision as to what to do with them.
In other words, the body cannot function without positive and negative forces; they both must operate.
So when an altruistic force appears against egoism, the egoism enters into balance with it, immediately becoming equal to it in importance. It is a system that maintains itself in homeostasis, in balance, in harmony.
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From Kab TV’s “An Integral World” 10/24/13
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