Question: Why do we need physical suffering? Is it to awaken the point in the heart?

Answer: Our material essence is a body that we want to provide with the maximum comfort.

We live in a family, and want everything to be good there: house, children, health, pension, rest, etc. Meaning, we want to live comfortably in this world.

However, if a person achieves it, and everything is fine in his life, he becomes an animal because he already does not aspire anywhere; he is not doing anything. Give him everything that exists and you will see that nothing will change. We see how without wolves, sheep begin to get ill and decline.

It is the same with the Jewish people. Without antisemites, there would be no Zionists, there would be no Jewish home and Jewish nation. It means we have to respect antisemites and understand that they exist as a certain force in nature that is holding us. Otherwise we would run away in all directions.

It is the same with a person in general; he cannot exist without suffering. Suffering directs us because we are egoists. Our desire is absolutely egoistic: to become filled, to do nothing, and to have everything at the same time.

How is it possible to accomplish this? It is impossible! After all, the task of a human being in nature is to reach his highest development. But if I enjoy and feel good about everything, then I will never fulfill this task.

We should not forget that “love and hunger rule the world.” Therefore, only suffering pushes us forward. “One beaten man is worth two unbeaten.” This is true indeed. Therefore, “through thorns to the stars.” We lack precisely these thorns.

The wisdom of Kabbalah says that a “point in the heart” that has awakened within a person triggers depression in us, a question about the purpose of life and its futility. If this weren’t the case, how would we go forward? Thus only suffering leads us.

Moreover, it has to be suffering that is directed to the achievement of the goal, its anticipation and aspiration—the suffering of love. However, if we lack it, we become urged on by other suffering. This is how the entire system of nature is structured, and it is doing it.

If you want to go forward correctly and willingly, no problem; there is the wisdom of Kabbalah for you. It shows you the entire system and the correct direction to the destined goal. The goal is defined in advance. There is nothing to make up.

However, if we are not going toward it, then nature causes suffering in us through various alternative ways. It still leads us to this goal, but already through the long and tangled path.

Question: Does it turn out that our earthy (animal) suffering leads us to the suffering of love?

Answer: Not right away and not directly, but it does lead us. Any little suffering in our life pushes us forward. Had a person understood this, he would himself aspire to the goal, and there would be no need to “move with a stick to happiness.” He would be moving forward faster than the stick could reach him.

This is the sensible development, and this is what Kabbalah shows us: the goal, and the shortest path to reach it, so you would not be pushed by suffering from behind.

Come and join the kind, good, and correct development. We look forward to seeing you!
[198799]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman,” 11/21/16

Related Material:
The Formula for Reducing Suffering, Part 1
The Sufferings Are Different
What Is The Meaning Behind Suffering

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