Michael Laitman, On Quora: “How could the technology boom of the past 70 or so years have been more beneficial to humanity if it were not largely driven by military or market forces?“

Humanity’s development happens by means of and under the pressure of egoism—the desire to self-benefit at the expense of others—which increases in humanity from one generation to the next, and in our individual lives from one year to the next. This is why such development is already flawed, and leads us to problems and misfortunes. It is why everything that happens in a mismatch from nature, unaligned with the altruistic law of nature, but according to our egoism—is flawed and will fail in the future. After all, such developments do not come from the postulate of care and love for the neighbor, from the understanding and realization of the fact that we live in a single integral system, where life and the world are interconnected as a small integral village.

On the contrary, we each care first and formost about ourselves, which is completely opposite to what nature demands of us. Our technological development thus looks no more like attempts and efforts to somehow fulfill our egoism. Instead of cutting it off from ourselves and correcting the way we use it for humanity’s benefit, we try to fulfill it directly. In other words, instead of bringing ourselves to equivalence, unification and balance with nature, we increasingly distance ourselves from nature. Therefore, instead of achieving delight, goodness and perfection, we experience amassing problems, crises and disasters.

If we thus use our technologies for the benefit of humanity, to correct humanity from egoism to altruism, then we will merit perfection and happiness.

Based on a Q&A with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman on September 9, 2006. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “Can a brain be connected to a computer?“

Unquestionably, it will be possible to connect a human brain to computers in order for them to work conjointly. And approximately by the middle of the 21st century it will also be possible to replace all parts of our body with different artificial forms.

We must understand that we are not discussing the inner part here, i.e. a person’s own “self” or soul. In the end, we are speaking about parts of our body, about that which is animalistic. Even today, by means of genetic and biological engineering, we have no problem performing all kinds of changes in the human body, replacing and removing organs. In all of its wisdom, there is nothing in this science that is above human abilities. Such acts are on the animate level, while we ourselves are on the speaking level.

Our problem, our correct, high and highly unique activity lies in ascending from the cares of the biological level, the level of the animalistic body, to the speaking level. We will then work in our soul, in the human self, which is above the body. Precisely there we will perform such manipulations that will let us perform actions in the soul called “corrections.”

As for the body, obviously, we will keep making such advancements as connecting our brain to computers, among others. In the end, it solely depends on technological development.

Based on a Q&A with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman on September 9, 2006. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Question: In April this year, Itzik Saidyan, a 26-year-old disabled soldier, set himself on fire in front of the Israeli Ministry of Defense Rehabilitation Department. This event has awakened public discourse and brought up awareness of those suffering from PTSD and other emotional trauma. Many of these people feel that they are invisible because their handicap cannot be seen.

Let us say that same person would meet you a few moments before he goes to set himself on fire. What would you say to him?

Answer: I would tell him that human life has a much greater purpose than what he can even imagine. Even when one finds oneself in this difficult state, eternal, whole, perfect, and joyous states can be reached.

Question: Many people among us are suffering from trauma on one level or another. How can we act, as a society, to strengthen them and give them hope?

Answer: We have no other choice but to learn how to approach and reach out to them, to listen and explain the process that a person must go through. In this way we can help them reach the truth.

Question: What is the truth Dr. Laitman?

Answer: The truth is that each one of us exists under the general plan of nature and every situation we go through, is all predetermined within it. If we can come to agree and discover the fact that this is how things are, this will give us great satisfaction.

Question: Can one rise from this shattered rock bottom state?

Answer: Yes, for the general correction of man brings him to a state where he rises above himself and is included in the perfection and harmony of nature.

Question: What allows him to grasp eternity and perfection when he is at rock bottom?

Answer: Precisely that this care and understanding, is all that one has left in order to prevent “being buried alive ” so as to heal these traumatic and post-traumatic situations. And in general, all events in a person’s life can be changed because we all go through such traumas in life, with the reason being that everyone needs this to push us into changing.

We only need to understand that the correct care is that we rise above our current nature to that of bestowal, love, and connection.

Question: Is this the remedy for everything?

Answer: There is no other remedy!

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“Do not judge your neighbor until you walk two moons in his moccasins” (Native American wisdom quote).

That’s right. What does this mean for us? You must first correct yourself, and then you will be able to see others correctly.

To correct yourself means to correct your attitude toward others; that is, make it absolutely kind, at least absolutely neutral. Do not perceive the other person as corrupted, evil, and so on. Then, on this condition, you can see the facts, the truth.

Question: How should I treat a person whom I instinctively, naturally dislike? He is my enemy.

Answer: You should do as it is written, “Who is the mightiest of the mighty? He who makes his foe his friend.”

Question: Could you give advice on how to do this?

Answer: Do to him all the good things that you would do if you loved him.

Smother him with your love. It is very difficult. But when the understanding comes that the world is built on this and we need to act in this way, even though it takes years, then everything becomes simple.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 7/15/21

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The Meaning of Ubuntu: “In certain regions of South Africa, when someone does something wrong, he/she is taken to the center of the village and for two days he/she is surrounded by his tribe, while they speak of all the good he/she has done. They believe that each person is good yet sometimes we make mistakes, which is really a cry for help. They unite in this ritual to encourage the person to reconnect with his true nature. The belief is that unity and affirmation have more power to change behavior than does shame and punishment. This is known as Ubuntu – humanity towards others.”

Question: How do you like this method of education?

Answer: This is a very powerful method. Imagine sitting for two days and listening to good things about yourself, knowing that they all know about what you did. It would be better if they beat you!

A man eats himself: “How could I do this?! This was their opinion of me! And what is their opinion of me now knowing what I have done?!” This is a double punishment.

Question: And why does humanity not adopt this? A practical primitive tribe, close to nature…

Answer: The primitive tribes were much higher than we are and they remain so.

They understand how a person can be encouraged and put in a good place, how to make him a normal member of society, and put him back in the right state. This is the only way, education by social influence.

Question: Why not adopt it? Give it a try.

Answer: We do not have such societies. Our society is purely egoistic; it is aimed only at censure, at suppression, even to the point of murder. Therefore, we cannot have such a thing.

Question: And how will the society of the future cope with this?

Answer: The society of the future is after correction! Of course, it will already have a different effect on people. But only through love, through the right communication, the right influence. To take a person inside yourself, to warm him inside, so that he feels the good influence of society.

Question: Are you talking about a criminal who has committed a crime?

Answer: Yes. And then he will feel what he can lose, and understand how others think well of him and want to place him among themselves, bail him out, and so on.

Question: But I don’t think well of him, do I? I hate him, is he a criminal?

Answer: No, then it will not work.

Comment: We are talking about a serious step for humanity. We should arrange expeditions there, to this society.

My Response: We won’t understand! Today’s society is not able to correctly perceive such an attitude of people to one another.

Question: What, then, is the future of our judicial system?

Answer: Our judicial system can take the only right step; it is to bury itself. I say this absolutely clearly, calmly, and steadily. This is not a judicial system. There is nothing worse in our society than judges and everything they have done.

Question: So they have ruined their own destinies, and the destinies of other people?

Answer: Absolutely everything!

Question: How can humanity get out of this?

Answer: Only by the correction that we are talking about. Put judges through the training and correction system, so that they do not think that if they have some book in their hands that was written by all sorts of clever people, then this book is infallible, and if they adhere to it, they can judge everyone.

Question: By what law should the corrected judges work?

Answer: The Torah is at the heart of the trial, the charter, and the legal provisions. And so we need to take it in its true form, try to understand it and start following it. Otherwise, nothing will work.

Question: When you say “Torah,” everyone pictures the book of Torah. What do you mean when you say the Torah is the basis?

Answer: Love your neighbor as yourself. This is the main law. And everything else comes from that.

Question: So this principle should be at the forefront of all of law for everyone?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is it possible?

Answer: We will have to do it anyway. Only when? This is already a problem.

Question: And when, what do you think?

Answer: When we can understand what judges should be like. And we will not agree with the view that they represent today.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 3/8/21

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Preparation to the Lesson

Lesson on the Topic “The Creator Is Revealed in the Connection Between Us” 

Selected Highlights

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