Audio Version Of The Blog – 4/4/21

Listen to an Audio Version of the Blog
Download:MP3 Audio

“World Leaders’ Call For Pandemic Treaty Exposes International Ill-Will” (Linkedin)

My new article on Linkedin “World leaders’ Call for Pandemic Treaty Exposes International Ill-Will

On March 30th, AP’s Maria Cheng reported, “More than 20 heads of government and global agencies called … for an international treaty for pandemic preparedness that they say will protect future generations in the wake of COVID-19.” Cheng added that World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and several heads of state proposed “a renewed collective commitment” that will provide “a framework for international cooperation and solidarity.”

The future may seem forbidding, but I think that in fact, we should be grateful that we are living through such a transformational period in history. We are transitioning from a self-centered society to a connected humanity. Since we already know the direction, we can choose whether to go there fast and easily, or slow and painfully. How many generations could say that they have a clear path for all of humanity? I think we are lucky, but we should seize the opportunity and ride the wave. We shouldn’t be afraid; there is no need to suffer. We can join hands and build together a world where people care for one another, where there are no pandemics, no wars, and no alienation. The choice is ours; we can take it or leave it.

On the face of it, it is a good idea. In practice, it will lead nowhere. Cheng herself noted that “Although the 25 signatories of the commentary called for ‘solidarity,’ and greater ‘societal commitment,’ there was no indication any country would soon change its own approach to responding to the pandemic.” Moreover, “China, Russia and the United States didn’t join in signing the statement,” she wrote, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki went as far as stating that the treaty “could divert attention away from substantive issues regarding the response, preparedness for future pandemic threats,” effectively sealing its fate before it was born.

Once again, alienation prevents an initiative from succeeding. If every country caters only to its own interests, how will they be able to solve any global problem, especially when they are as widespread as the Covid-19 pandemic? And since they can’t, they are paying the price. Already, Europe is facing a third wave, Brazil is nearing 4,000 Covid fatalities per day, and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) director Dr. Rochelle Walensky passionately warned of a fourth wave saying, “Right now, I’m scared …of impending doom.”

We are approaching a tipping point; we will have to choose between solidarity or pain, great pain. Reality has given us an ultimatum, and we must choose whether to stay selfish and suffer, or start thinking of each other. This choice will manifest on every level: international, national, social, and personal. Solidarity is the call of the hour; if we do not heed it voluntarily, it will force itself on us or punish us. Nature has created the virus; nature has created us, and all our innovations will not outsmart nature, our creator.

The future may seem forbidding, but I think that in fact, we should be grateful that we are living through such a transformational period in history. We are transitioning from a self-centered society to a connected humanity. Since we already know the direction, we can choose whether to go there fast and easily, or slow and painfully. How many generations could say that they have a clear path for all of humanity? I think we are lucky, but we should seize the opportunity and ride the wave. We shouldn’t be afraid; there is no need to suffer. We can join hands and build together a world where people care for one another, where there are no pandemics, no wars, and no alienation. The choice is ours; we can take it or leave it.

“We Have to Grow, Despite the Media Smokescreen” (Linkedin)

My new article on Linkedin “We Have to Grow, Despite the Media Smokescreen

Even before Covid-19 spread like a brush fire across the globe, we were approaching a downturn. The media pretended as if there were many more treats to find out there, but despite the smokescreen, we were inching toward the end nonetheless. We will not be happy living on a colony in Mars; we will not be happy because there is a new president; we will not be happy because our car is electric and our energy comes from renewable sources, or because we’re eating vegetarian burgers or lab-grown meat. We will be happy only when we take responsibility for our lives and stop focusing only on ourselves.

When you give, you grow, you become more than just yourself; you connect to the person you give, and something of that person becomes you. All of life, the entire universe is connected. When you adopt that frame of mind, you, too, become connected, similar to your surroundings. By this, you connect with everything around you. Then, even if you’re unaware of it, your surroundings begin to energize you. This is why givers are never depressed and never hopeless. Just as people grow up when they become parents, so we must now grow and become parents of the world around us. We can only gain from the transformation.

We are approaching the truth. The desires that previously drove us into action are gradually losing their charm. We still want money, fame, and power, but people’s willingness to make the necessary effort to acquire them seems to be waning. These aren’t lazy people; they are simply more aware than others that such achievements will not make them happy. And if they can’t be happy having those things, why bother getting them?

However, something has to satisfy us! Without satisfaction, we don’t feel alive! Today, many people have already given up on finding satisfaction in wealth, power, or fame, yet do not find a substitute ambition, and therefore sink into hopelessness, which then becomes depression. Others try extreme sports, excessive eating, or eccentric sexual habits, but these are all stages toward relinquishing these interests, too. Even religion, which used to be one’s most secure haven from life’s apparent meaninglessness, no longer seems that promising.

Eventually, when we have exhausted all the options, and the media’s promise of potential joy no longer fools us, nor any other enticement, we will find ourselves clueless as to what will make us happy, what will make life seem worthwhile. That moment, when we hit rock bottom, is a eureka moment. At that moment, when we find that nothing can please us, we stop looking only at ourselves. This is when we truly see that there are others, a whole world outside of us that has been waiting for us to look outside rather than only inwards.

This is when we stop asking about the meaning of life because every moment becomes filled with meaning and purpose. The opportunity to feel others, to connect, share, and care, expands our narrow horizons to such an extent that we discover infinite desires we can satisfy.

When we exert to realize our own dreams, we often remain dissatisfied. Moreover, even when we do achieve our goals, they usually stop satisfying us shortly after we accomplish them. Contrary to that pattern, when we seek to connect with others and cater to their needs, the work, and the achievement, are both satisfying. Think about it; have you ever done something for someone and didn’t feel good about it?

There is a good reason for it: When you give, you grow, you become more than just yourself; you connect to the person you give, and something of that person becomes you. All of life, the entire universe is connected. When you adopt that frame of mind, you, too, become connected, similar to your surroundings. By this, you connect with everything around you. Then, even if you’re unaware of it, your surroundings begin to energize you. This is why givers are never depressed and never hopeless. Just as people grow up when they become parents, so we must now grow and become parents of the world around us. We can only gain from the transformation.
[280474]

“Who Were The Mixed Multitude In Exodus 12:38?” (Quora)

Dr. Michael LaitmanMichael Laitman, On Quora: Who were the mixed multitude in Exodus 12:38?

We can divide a nation—inside and outside of a person—into three parts. Those who aspire for the Creator are called “Israel (Yashar-Kel).” Those called “Egyptians” have no interest in spirituality, and instead deal with their corporeal lives. The mixed multitude are those who, on one hand, fear the Creator, but on the other hand, try to use their connection with the Creator selfishly.

Most people believe in the Creator or some higher force. There are several methods and teachings that express the person’s desire for the Creator. Even atheists have an inner point that aspires for connection with the Creator, and it defines their innermost reasoning for existence.

People are divided into two types. One defines those connected to religions and other faith methods who use their connection with the Creator in order to gain confidence and success in this life. The other defines those who want to discover their connection with the Creator in this life. They demand the Creator’s revelation, and wish to discover Him in themselves. They want to reveal an additional layer of reality above the still, vegetative, animate and human levels, which we perceive through the five senses.

Our deepest spiritual aspiration can be fulfilled through the method of Kabbalah. It leads us to the sensation of the highest governing force in reality, which determines everything. The wisdom of Kabbalah can prepare us for such an attainment while we are alive in this world.

How, then, can people considered the mixed multitude fear the Creator—the quality of absolute love and bestowal—when their sole aspiration is to serve themselves?

We can use our connection to the Creator either selfishly or altruistically. A selfish connection to the Creator positions us as consumers toward the Creator. It makes us constantly demand self-aimed fulfillment as a result of such a connection. It is merely a continuation of our inherently selfish inclination toward life. While aiming at the Creator selfishly, we accept that there is an all-encompassing force in reality that we fear, but we consciously demand a reward for such an acknowledgment. We then hope that we will be rewarded either in this life, and/or in the so-called afterlife. Such a selfish relationship with the Creator is called “mixed multitude.”

The Egyptians (in the Torah) simply want a good life with or without connection to the Creator. Such is the simple consumer attitude we observe in this world. They might observe certain commandments and certain actions, but not in order to become completely altruistic, i.e. to realize the principle commandment of “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The mixed multitude are egoistic desires that reject the exodus from Egypt, i.e., to exit the selfish ego and live a life of love, bestowal and positive connection to others. They cannot cross the Red Sea, and they want to return to Egypt. They do whatever they can in order to stop those who want to escape from slavery in Egypt, i.e., those controlled by the ego. They live in parallel with those who strive toward becoming as altruistic and loving as the Creator.

Those on the path of becoming altruistic and loving as the Creator need to encounter those desires called “mixed multitude” on the way, because these desires ultimately help us distinguish our true desire for connection with the Creator from others: that we wish for no self-aimed reward, but that all the contentment and goodness will be for the sake of the Creator.

In every person on every spiritual degree, a wide spectrum of desires appears. We can learn how to use these desires and sort them out with the help of Kabbalistic sources, i.e., to sort out the qualities of Malchut (reception) and Bina (bestowal), and elevate the value of the bestowal qualities over those of reception. This is done by engaging in a spiritually-supportive environment, where we aim to connect positively to one another in order to become as altruistic and loving as the Creator.

Based on a talk with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman and Michael Sanilevich, “Spiritual States: Mixed Multitude” 4/1/21
Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

My Thoughts On Twitter 4/4/21

Dr Michael Laitman Twitter

Between #truth and falsehood, we can enter into the form called the Creator. “Bo-re” – “come and see.” I come from a lie, His opposite state, to Him, to the truth. All attainment is the revelation of the truth. Truth is the source of life in which we discover and feel everything.

The Creator is the Upper force, and the truth is His program. The program can work if it includes the opposite form, falsehood. Falsehood in the Creator is His opposite. To understand the Creator, creatures must be created from two forms: truth and falsehood.

Everything around us is a lie. If we treat a lie as coming from the Creator, directing us to the right state, then for us this lie is part of the truth. I’m ready to be in a lie if it leads to the truth. Then I can understand it, feel it, and it will change me, lead me to the truth

In our world, truth is a lie. We can’t live without it. April Fool’s is not just a day of the year. We’ve been constantly lying to each other all year. The evil inclination, egoism, forces us to lie because we do not want to tell each other the truth but what is beneficial to us.

The Upper force is the general force of #nature. All nature is a program, all its parts are interconnected and united. Congruence with the Upper force gives us the feeling of living inside a good force—everyone can succeed in all that they do, for it is all aimed at unification.

Unification happens inside man’s desire. All desires unite, and in the single desire start resembling the Upper force. Everything comes to similarity: people “below” and the Upper force of nature “above.” They develop contact and support between them, and start to feel each other.

We are unable to unite with each other, nor can we exist without #unity. We cannot conquer each other, nor can we free ourselves from the power of #evil, #egoism. We are at an impasse and don’t know what to do. But we have the opportunity to tip the scales one way or the other.

There are two forces at work in society: the force of unification, love, rapprochement, dialogue, cooperation, and the force that separates people, sets them against each other and creates rivalry. There are periods of each of these developments. We cannot control such processes.

What is the difference between Kabbalistic dates and holidays and secular or religious ones? By the fact that they originate from their true source—the Torah, descending from the Creator of the Upper light, and its manifestation in the desire—created matter.
From Twitter, 4/4/21

Related Material:
My Thoughts On Twitter 3/31/21
My Thoughts On Twitter 3/25/21
My Thoughts On Twitter 3/23/21

“Most Everyone Is Religious” (Linkedin)

My new article on Linkedin “Most Everyone Is Religious

When we think of religion, we usually think of prayers, ceremonious garments, perhaps fragrant incense or candles burning in designated dents along the walls, and people’s lips moving silently as they speak to their God. They ask for what they need; they pray for themselves, for their loved ones, and they believe, or hope, that God will grant their wishes. They’ve never seen God, never spoke to God the way we speak to one another, but their faith is steadfast nonetheless. Indeed, their faith is all they have. Religious people exchange proof for faith, seeing for believing; they act on faith as though it were the proven fact.

Where matters are vital for our lives, we mustn’t follow blindly, but experiment, try for ourselves, and see what is true and what is not.

However, if you think about it, people who believe that a political view, a social doctrine, or a scientific theory will yield certain results for them, and change their lives accordingly, such people act the same as believers of any traditional religion. So, essentially, since we all believe in something, be it a deity, a political party, or a scientific theory, we are all religious. Who, then, is not religious? Only those who do not say “Amen” to anything, but check it for themselves. Indeed, they are a rarity.

Clearly, sometimes we have no choice but to accept what is given to us. Not all of us, for example, can hop on a spaceship and fly to outer space just to see for ourselves that the Earth is round. But such notions, however interesting, do not change our lives. Where matters are vital for our lives, we mustn’t follow blindly, but experiment, try for ourselves, and see what is true and what is not.

When Kabbalists, from whom I learned everything I know, write that the Creator is benevolent, they do not expect you to believe it. They tell you how they conducted their experiments, how they reached the conclusions they had reached, and it is up to you to try it for yourself. Until you repeat their experiment and reach your own conclusion, you will not be regarded as a Kabbalist. You might be regarded as a Kabbalah student, but not a Kabbalist. If you choose to act on blind faith, you will never become a Kabbalist and you’ll remain religious. If you choose to question everything they tell you and perform the experiments on yourself, then you just might attain what they have attained, and you’ll be worthy of the title “Kabbalist.”

Attaining The Creator

294.4Question: What is the difference between the feeling that the Creator manages me and the feeling that only He manages me?

Answer: As we approach the Creator, we must constantly aim ourselves to this unique creative force— “There is none else besides Him”—and only with it to solidarize and attribute everything to it.

If we do this, we will eventually be able to actually begin to perceive everything around us as the outcome of the one unique force, which means to perceive Him through all of its different opposite outcomes.

As a result of the infinite revelations of the Creator, we will begin to feel Him as the force behind everything. This means that the attainment of the Creator as the one and unique happens thanks to the fact that we perceive Him as present in all the different attributes, forces, and opposite actions.

Question: And at the same time the one who perceives remains?

Answer: Of course. A person does not disappear in any way, and this is its uniqueness: it was created this way, so that when one attains the Creator he will become equivalent to Him. This is the reason that he does not disappear in any way, and does not destroy or annul himself. To the extent that he can increase the Creator and see His unity in all the opposite revelations of nature and of ourselves, a person can become similar to, equivalent to the Creator.
[245860]
From KabTV’s “Fundamentals of Kabbalah” 1/27/19

Related Material:
The Source Of All Existing
In Tandem With The Creator
Living In Harmony With The Creator

Suffering For The Light

527.03Question: Baal HaSulam says that the happiest moment in a person’s life is when he comes to despair. How can a person feel happy in this state?

Answer: No. Then despair will be sweetened.

A lot of people in our world rejoice in some kind of suffering; they enjoy it. It is absolutely selfish suffering. A person loves to suffer, respects himself for suffering. This is absolutely not at all what Kabbalah is talking about.

In spiritual work, it is the striving for the upper, for changing oneself, and the realization of the complete impossibility of achieving this. And then a person has the opportunity to cling to the upper force.

Question: By studying The Book of Zohar  do we move away from suffering and choose a more direct path?

Answer: We move to another type of suffering: we lack spirituality. This is suffering for perfection, suffering for the light.
[279986]
From KabTV’s “The Power of The Book of Zohar” #8

Related Material:
Why Do I Feel This Way?
Exile From Love
Brothers In Exile

Jerusalem—Absolute Awe

933Comments: At the very beginning of the Passover Haggadah, it is said that our forefathers were engaged in idolatry. That is, we had a fragmented worldview when people lived in selfishness and everyone worshipped their own god.

My Response: People did what they wanted to do.

Question: Then, after leaving Egypt, it is written: “Next year, in Jerusalem.” What does it mean?

Answer: This is a completely different kind of connection between people when they reach a new level in uniting over their egoism.

Egoism remains inside everyone, but above it, we build the next level, the level of mutual bestowal and love. This highest level is called “Yerushalayim, ” i.e., “ira shlema”—absolute awe.

It means there is no greater concern, no greater awe in me than to maintain the quality of bestowal and connection with everyone. This is what I value above all else.

But today we are in a completely opposite state. Today, Jerusalem is the very opposite of the spiritual property.

Comments: When the Kabbalists wrote this, they did not mean at all what we mean by these words.

My Response: It is not difficult for them to describe everything that exists in the spiritual world in terms of our world. They see it.

The walls of Jerusalem, the stones, and the city mean certain internal properties and levels of spiritual development.
[279675]
FromKabTV’s “Spiritual States” 4/15/19

Related Material:
Jerusalem: Not Stones But The Spirit
“Everyone Who Mourns For Jerusalem Is Rewarded With Seeing Its Joy”
Jerusalem – A “Perfect City”

Within Reason And Above It

608.01Question: I cannot analyze myself at the level I am at. To do it, I must rise to the next level. What does “rise” mean? To go from your senses to a higher level, to the mind?

Answer: When you rise to the next level with your senses, you cannot intelligently process them in it. And the lower level from which you have ascended is now clear to you because it has already entered your mind.

When you ascend with your senses, you have intellectual feeling of where you have risen from. Therefore, the ascent from the lower level to the next in Kabbalah is called faith above reason.

That is what we do. When you get to the upper level, you begin to feel the lower level, perceive it in your mind. Faith above reason is no longer needed here.

And in order to understand the next step, again senses, faith above reason, and the lower level, which is within reason turns into knowledge.
[279998]
From KabTV’s “Meeting with Kabbalah” 3/1/19

Related Material:
Mind—Connection Between Specks Of Feelings
Mind And Feelings In Spiritual Development
The Mind Only Evaluates Feelings