“Surfing The Pandemic Waves” (Medium)

Medium published my new article “Surfing the Pandemic Waves

Public discourse now speaks of a second wave of COVID-19 when the first one is far from over. Just when we thought the epidemic was under control, the opening of the economy has brought new contagion outbreaks around the world. What does this portend for the future? We may try to avoid flip-flopping policies on how to tackle the pandemic and its consequences, but the truth is that now we only see the tip of the iceberg of what lies in store. What we do know for certain is that our way of life will change forever. The most important thing for us to understand is that nature is driving us to new forms of connection among us since we all influence and depend on one another, just as the waves of coronavirus infection illustrate.

“The more we unite through the heart and soul, and the more we understand nature’s guidance today, our anxiety about the future will decrease. Our consciousness will be enlarged and we will begin to discover a higher dimension which nurtures us so wisely, the force of nature. This is a force whose signature characteristic is love and pure giving.”

The coronavirus will not quickly disappear from among us. It may remain for years though it may change its form. This is why it is imperative that we shape society and the economy in accord with the emerging reality. Experts warn that within a few months we will be in the deepest recession since WWII. Businesses will collapse, people’s savings will run dry and they will be unable to return loans, pay off mortgages, or pay rent. The unequivocal signs are already here. Therefore, we need to revolutionize our priorities.

Countries must invest their resources in the vital industries that can ensure that every person’s basic needs are met at a reasonable level. Public budgets should secure funds for this first and foremost on the list of priorities and not squander resources in other areas because of pressure from once powerful stakeholders. Luxury industries will certainly suffer a severe blow due to the economic crisis. It would be pointless to attempt to recuperate them because their products will have very little demand.

Thought must precede action: Tomorrow’s humanity will need a much calmer lifestyle, free from senseless running back and forth, one centered around the essentials instead of the superfluous. People will need to invest primarily in building deep ties among them to discover in them the taste of life. Our good future lies in research and development of connections and love among all people, and this enterprise will be our exit to a new world.

Until we reach these desired human connection, we must cleanse ourselves of non-vital businesses which only increase the destructive competition among people, suck out precious resources from nature, and pollute the air, earth, and sea.

The era of coronavirus is peeling away the non-vital husks of an outdated way of life in an intelligent manner. Gradually, it will slim the economy to healthy and sustainable dimensions and the non-essential fat will fall away.

Governments will have to think outside the box in order to provide employment and livelihood to the millions who will be ejected from the labor market. The best solution will be to provide the citizens with universal income conditional upon active participation in social education and community building.

This escape route through education will offer a gateway to a new understanding in humanity about the changes taking place in this special era and what they mean in the development of man, society, and the world, as well as the kind of new relationships that must be established among people. Those who study will also work a few hours in areas which build community and society.

The happiest and healthiest possible life evolves out of caring for others, just like a mother who is always concerned about her children and finds an incomparable sense of satisfaction and vitality in providing this care. Although seemingly contradictory to the notions of social distancing, the era of corona is actually here to teach us how to correctly approach each other, — the true form of connection at the internal level from heart to heart, and how to avoid hurting each other.

The more we unite through the heart and soul, and the more we understand nature’s guidance today, our anxiety about the future will decrease. Our consciousness will be enlarged and we will begin to discover a higher dimension which nurtures us so wisely, the force of nature. This is a force whose signature characteristic is love and pure giving.

Therefore, the coronavirus is not just an epidemic meant to frustrate and destroy, but an evolutionary riddle for us to solve together. Our success will depend on our unity, not only to ride the wave of the pandemic, but to reach the crest of the wave for a healthy and secure future.
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“Fight The Right War” (Linkedin)

My new article on Linkedin “Fight the Right War

We like to think that we are masters of our own lives, but are we really? If we had our way, would we have asked for the coronavirus to derail our lives from their carefully planned routes? Would we have wanted the mayhem that has engulfed cities across the country following the death of George Floyd? If we had any control over our lives, would we have chosen to live in a country where law and order have become a mockery while anarchists on either side of the map do as they please, while the regular Janes and Joes are fearful stepping out and speaking out their sane truth?

Right now in America, 130 people die of prescription drug abuse each day, 50 million don’t get enough food, and tens of millions have no jobs, no income, and no future. Any person who were asked whether he or she wanted to live in such a country would respond with a resounding “No!”

Sure, many people have it going for them in America. Some are actually living the American dream. But many are not, and many more are joining them daily.

But if we stop for a moment and think, we will see that there is one clear message, if you can call it that, in all this pain: This society is really dying because of loneliness. Its disease is not COVID-19, it is alienation, division, suspicion, and separation, or in a word: hatred. Cure hatred, and you have cured the country.

If people stopped fighting against each other and started fighting for love, that love would bridge the gaps, there would not be divisions. It is so easy to see the good in different people when you love them. Different people are what makes our society diverse, vital, rich with culture, colors, and brilliant innovations. But if there is hate then the more different another person is from me, the more I hate that person, and the more blind I become to his or her merits.

Think about it: If we fight against injustice, we are increasing hate. But if we fight for love, we are increasing justice. Let’s join a common battle against the right enemy; let’s fight together against the hatred within us toward our fellow human beings whoever they are.

Daily Kabbalah Lesson – 6/24/20

Lesson Preparation

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Lesson on the Topic “Concerning Above Reason” 

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Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 13

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Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to the Book Panim Meirot uMasbirot,” Item 19

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Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Matan Torah [The Giving of the Torah],” Item 12

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Selected Highlights

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