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“What Is ‘Pandemic Fatigue’?” (Quora)

Dr. Michael LaitmanMichael Laitman, On Quora: What is ‘Pandemic fatigue’?

Pandemic fatigue takes place when people get exhausted with the pandemic’s restrictions over a prolonged time period, and become less inclined to adhere to public health guidelines.

People with pandemic fatigue turn their attention away from health department regulations, and while different people feel and react to it differently, symptoms often include restlessness, irritability, low motivation, and difficulty to concentrate. It might also include socially retreating or changing eating and or sleeping patterns.

Also, people experiencing pandemic fatigue might react by blatantly opposing its regulations: attending parties, protests, cafés, restaurants, bars, and generally rejecting social distancing, mask-wearing and the recommended level of personal hygiene.

However, despite the various types of pandemic fatigue that many people experience as we plod forward in these testing times, the coronavirus itself remains unaffected. As carelessness increases, so do the amount of people testing positive for the virus. And we see that wherever governments loosen their public health restrictions, infections also increase.

The stressful paradox that many face today, where on one hand, they see no light at the end of the pandemic’s tunnel the further they trod into it, and on the other hand, they burn out in desperation, will lead more and more people to erupt in resistance to the regulations.

Pandemic fatigue should ultimately serve to accelerate our demand to try new remedies for the coronavirus. Instead of twiddling our thumbs waiting for vaccines, we can try to implement a remedy that is risk-free, and which costs us nothing. Before discussing this remedy, I’ll make an important disclaimer that this by no means suggests that we pay no attention to public health guidelines, but on the contrary, while rigorously following public health regulations, we can try to implement the following remedy to the coronavirus: adjusting our attitude to each other to think positively, considerately and responsibly toward one another.

If we could look deeper into what brought about this pandemic, then we would see that negative attitudes to each other create the biggest imbalance in nature, which invites a negative response upon us from nature. Likewise, if we change our attitudes to each other from negative to positive, careless and exploitative to considerate and responsible, then we would enter into balance with nature—and nature would respond positively to us in return.

So while we keep our physical distance from each other for the time being, we would be wise to seek how we could become closer in our mental and emotional distance. One practical way to do so is by relating to the observance of the health department regulations not for each one’s individual protection, but on the contrary, that we observe the health department regulations, keeping our social distance and wearing masks, etc., in order to not infect others. In other words, if we all thought of only “myself” as the one who hosts the virus, and that I now do not want to infect anybody else with it, then we would be on track to seeing the virus quickly subside from our lives.

Inverting the focus from one’s personal protection and benefit to the protection and benefit of others holds immense power. By using this period to make significant improvements in our concern and responsibility toward other people, we would bear witness to tremendously positive effects spreading throughout human society, starting by securing each other’s health.

We thus have nothing to lose and everything to gain, just to twist a little attitude knob within us so that we relate positively, considerately and responsibly toward each other, and then we would be headed on a path to healing not only ourselves, but human society as a whole.

Success = Work + Prayer

236.01We must try to build as many correct relationships, correct qualities, Hassadim, between us in the group as possible and not wait. Usually the inner Klipa persuades a person: “Wait and you will receive everything. The Creator will take pity on you and help you.”

But without our request, without awakening from below, that is, without beginning to work, we will not get help from above. You must know this.

People have been standing on one spot for years waiting for the Creator to give them spirituality. But you have not started working! You must start, and when you are pleading that everything is about to collapse and an unbearable burden is about to fall upon your back, then the Creator will help you. This moment needs to be held and realized. This is the secret of the spiritual work: we start, and the Creator finishes; this is so in every action.

I must act as if everything depends on me. And if in the middle of the way I suddenly find that I can not cope on my own, then I will add a prayer to the actions. Thus, my work and prayer together create the conditions for this to be realized. Remember this, start implementing it, and you will see how it opens the path for you. Step by step, you will certainly move forward.

A person waits for many years and does not want to start the work himself, waiting for a miracle from above. Our egoism convinces us: “Wait, the Creator will take pity on you, He will come, do everything, and reveal Himself to you.” But it will not happen! Until we start working and see that we are not able to cope and then ask for help, the Creator will not come and do it.

It is said: “The Lord will finish for me.” But it is precisely: “He will finish.” It is my responsibility to start it. Therefore, anyone who complains that he has been studying for many years and has not seen success, he simply did not work correctly. He had to start the work, find out that nothing comes out of it, raise a prayer, and demand that the Creator take part in it. Then you will see that He will help.

The Creator wants to participate in your work but only together with you in the same way as we do with children. If a child starts something himself and then an adult helps him, then the child understands how it needs to be done and learns. This work is called the work of the Creator, not of a man. After all, the Creator does it! But only when the person really needs help.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/7/20, “Sukkot

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Blitz Of Kabbalah Tips – 6/4/20

281.02Question: What is important for you in your work?

Answer: To see my students advancing in their understanding of the structure and the goal of creation.

Question: What is your favorite work?

Answer: Studying, spiritual education.

Question: What awakens you to study in the most efficient way?

Answer: Only my students and the goal of our life.

Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages in your daily work?

Answer: I would not say that there are any particular advantages or disadvantages in my work. It is meticulous daily work for many years with different kinds of videos, writing, speaking, holding different gatherings, meetings, conventions, etc. It makes no difference how it is done as long as the work leads to the spiritual advancement of those who participate in it and that they appreciate this opportunity.

Question: Who or what can obligate you to stop working?

Answer: I think that only death can force me to stop working.

Question: What do you think is the best way to motivate employees?

Answer: The feeling of necessity and at the same time satisfaction. This means the need to work and the satisfaction from the work.

Question: Do you agree that work makes a person?

Answer: The exertion for the sake of the upper goal inspires anyone and turns a person into a human being.

Question: Which habit, which skill would you like to acquire in the near future?

Answer: To become better.

Question: What kind of work are you ashamed of?

Answer: I don’t think that any kind of work can be shameful if it is done for the sake of society. Why? When a baby defecates in his diaper, we wash and clean him, and we are not ashamed of this work. If a sick person needs help, we don’t disrespect taking care of him either. There is nothing humiliating about any kind of work that is done for the sake of society or an individual.

Question: Have you done certain work that you can be proud of?

Answer: I have organized a system of virtual learning with my students since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in which everyone is mutually connected. This is something to be proud of.
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From KabTV’s “The Post-Coronavirus Era” 6/4/20

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The Holiday Of Sukkot: Moses

276.02The days of Sukkot represent the building of our soul one Sefira after another. The first three days are devoted to the first three qualities: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob—Hesed, Gevura, Tiferet (HGT). These are the first stages of the Creator’s work within the creation, and therefore they are called the forefathers.

And then we move on to the sons Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David and complete the entire structure. Therefore, the Sukkah that is built is called the Sukkah of David.

Moses is the main character of the Torah, the main quality. It is he who receives the Torah and passes it on to the people of Israel and the forefathers are the upper system. This is why it is so important to understand the work of Moses within our soul and within the Kabbalistic group.

The main thing is to allow the upper force that has already built the first three qualities, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to descend from HGT into our desire to enjoy NHY (Netzach, Hod, Yesod). And here all the work proceeds by faith above reason when I annul myself and wish for the Creator to control me and fill me, giving me everything that He has in the qualities of HGT—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, meaning to bring it into my ten.

Therefore, Moses’s work consists of total annulment before the first three qualities of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob so then the qualities of HGT can be clothed into NHY. Moses is called a “faithful shepherd” because it is important for him to completely annul himself to what the Creator wants to realize through him, that is, with his help, with all the desire to enjoy, with all the people.

The Creator addresses the people through the qualities of Israel that are able to unite and strive for the Creator for the sake of bestowal and acquire His qualities, His form. And then these qualities become imprinted on all of humanity, on all of reality.

Moses’s work is in faith above reason because he is in the middle between the power of faith, the upper force of bestowal, and the lower force of reception. He is the very first of the Sefirot NHY where the upper force is clothed in the desire to enjoy, and therefore he stands in the middle between the Creator and the creation and plays such an important role in the Torah.

The entire Torah tells of the steps of Moses’s ascent. This is the most important practical action because it guides us through all the states and organizes the creations so we can acquire the form of the Creator. Moses’s task is to establish the correct connection between the Creator and the creation, and therefore the Torah is called by his name: The Torah Of Moses.

After all, the Torah is given for this purpose, so that we can gain faith above reason. The quality of Moses, faith, must always be above the desire to enjoy for us so that this desire takes on the form of Moses and begins to work in bestowal.

To imprint the qualities of the HGT within the Sefirot of NHY means to establish the power of the Creator within the creation. Let us do this in one desire and one heart, in a common connection. It is more important here than ever. This is already practical work in connection between us.

Moses was the greatest of all the prophets. A prophet is not a person but a special quality. A desire that is completely devoted to the Creator and takes on His form is called a prophet, i.e., it is the dressing of the Sefirot HGT in NHY.

This is why Moses is called a “faithful shepherd” because he shows us an example, takes care of us, and brings the quality of bestowal to us from above so that by revealing this quality inside us we could gradually build the form of the Creator within ourselves. The quality of Moses brings us to similarity with the Creator, to adhesion with Him.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/6/20, “Sukkot

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Guest Of Honor — Abraham

530The spiritual Partzuf begins to build from Keter. Keter, Hochma, Bina—these are properties that come to us from above. And we need to reproduce them within us, in the connection between us, that is, not inside each, but in ten.

Therefore, the construction of the Partzuf begins with Sefira Hesed, the quality of Abraham. This means that all ten are working on the quality of Abraham in order to connect with each other through this quality.

It must reign in us and begin to rule us so that we understand and feel that the power of Abraham, Hesed (mercy), clothes in us. Abraham, which the Torah talks about, is a force of nature.

This is where the spiritual Partzuf begins, that is, the sensation of our soul. During the week of the holiday of Sukkot, we will try to realize within ourselves the properties of all the Sefirot: Hesed, Gevura, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, and Malchut. Then they will manifest in us and begin to live. That is, we will feel this spiritual structure, a special atmosphere that connects us, and from it we will reveal all the new elements and forces of the spiritual world.

Ushpizin is an invitation of a guest, a new force to the group. It is when we make efforts to unite and want this force to be revealed between us as the beginning of our soul. It is known that such a force, the light of Hochma, cannot shine in us constantly, but oozes drop by drop intermittently, drip-drip, drip-drip. When we receive such drops of light, it means that good luck has come to us.

And in order to receive this light, we need to prepare a wide space between us, that is, a connection in the light of Hassadim where everyone is ready to open up to meet the other. The light of Hochma can shine only in the garment of the light of Hassadim. And the light of Hassadim (mercy) is called “wide,” as it is said, “wide heart” and “broad hand.”

The light of Hochma is called Ushpizin, a guest who comes and dresses in the light of Hassadim. And if there is no light of Hassadim, then the light of Hochma cannot come and clothe in us.

We are talking about ten friends who want to experience the spiritual. Therefore, they must unite with each other in mutual bestowal in order to relate to each other “with a wide heart and a broad hand,” which is called the quality of Abraham. If they organize such a connection with each other, then the force of Abraham is clothed in it, the first sensation of the disclosure of an upper force, a higher world, the Creator.

We do not allow any criticism of our friends, no verification, and thus we build the basis of the Kli called Abraham, Hesed, within which we feel the first spiritual revelation. The light of Hochma begins to unfold within the light of Hassadim that we have created.

The main thing is not to make any calculations except for our good association and trying from the bottom of our hearts to treat comrades as equals and to think only about how to give back to them. This means that I try to prepare a place for them for the disclosure of the Creator so that He opens up in each of them. This will mean that I am doing a merciful deed for them.

There can be nothing negative in the property of Hesed (mercy). It is above any clarifications and criticism as simple love for one’s neighbor, only a kind attitude.

We must constantly make efforts to maintain such an attitude, Hesed, because this is the basis of the spiritual Kli, the condition for being in the spiritual space. Therefore, Abraham is called the father of the people. All the spiritual people, that is, everyone who wants to come closer to the Creator, must acquire this property.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/3/20, “Sukkot

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How To Become The Master Of Your Own Destiny?

760.2Question: In recent decades, personal growth training has been very popular in the world. People are taught to achieve new goals, get out of their comfort zones, and literally change their lives. But it is interesting that these trainings do not work, and frustration from them is growing. People cannot change anything, despite the fact that they invest huge resources in it.

How do you really become the master of your own destiny?

Answer: To do this, you need to know what life is, who controls you, and what goal nature leads you to. And then you will be able, in accordance with this, at least understand what is happening to you. And then take an additional course of correct interaction with nature in order to achieve the goal of life.

Question: How do you achieve success in any endeavors, in any desires, in any goals?

Answer: Do not go against nature but go with it, that is, know where it is leading you to, what your personal goal is (from the side of nature), and do everything in order to realize it.
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From KabTV’s “Kabbalah Express” 9/1/20

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Man’s Relationship With Nature And Himself

720Question: In classifying interpersonal relationships, the main thing is considered to be the contact between man and nature. What is the basic principle of the connection between man and the upper nature?

Answer: The principle is very simple: a person must bring himself to convergence with the upper nature. The upper or inner nature is based on the quality of bestowal, love, and mutual assistance. In this, it is the opposite of a person who is in egoistic love for himself. If we attune ourselves properly to feeling nature, then we will discover it.

Question: How should a person relate to himself, to his “I”?

Answer: As to a certain detector, a receptive device, that is located in certain conditions and must use itself and these conditions to reveal the essence of everything that is happening, the real nature of our world.

Question: Most of the time a person talks to himself, conducts an internal dialogue. Although this happens unconsciously, is there any way to control what this dialogue should be about?

Answer: In Kabbalah, there is a whole technique about the inner dialogue of a person with himself, with friends, with a group, with the world, and with the Creator. In this regard, we must always be in the continuous flow of information.
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From KabTV’s “Communication Skills” 7/30/20

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Boss And Leader

177.06Question: Governance is the observance of the laws of communication. You are constantly in contact with people, gather a team, manage them. How do you see the difference between a boss and a leader in relation to subordinates?

Answer: A leader has nothing to do with his subordinates. He gives out his vision of the world, his plans, prospects. He is not very interested in the attitude of people to his idea, because how to perceive it is already the concern of subordinate managers.

Question: As a rule, the boss is appointed from the top and the leader grows from the bottom. Do you agree with this?

Answer: The boss is appointed from above because they see which of the subordinates is capable of solving practical problems. And the leader is set by the higher governance or as we used to think by chance. This is a person with a philosophical, forward-looking view of the world, who perceives the whole world as something of his own.
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From KabTV’s “Management Skills” 6/11/20

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Daily Kabbalah Lesson – 10/12/20

Preparation to the Lesson

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Lesson on the Topic of “Bereshit

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Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Study of the Ten Sefirot, Vol. 3, Part 8, Item 1

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Lesson on the Topic of “The Law of the Arvut (Mutual Guarantee)”

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Selected Highlights

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