Question: The upper world is composed of 125 levels of attainment. What happens with the soul if it rises to the fifth level, for example, does it have a free choice to advance further or to remain at this level?

Answer: Free choice doesn’t exist anywhere or in anything except regarding one and only one activity: strengthening the connection with the group.

Free choice is only in this. For if you don’t hold onto the connection with the group, then that power that you need to awaken in yourself in a good form to advance forward will constantly push you back through negative influence, through suffering. If you begin to flee from these sufferings, but not from your desire, rather against your will, then you advance like the rest of humanity. But if you understand that it is necessary to rise in spite of it all, then you must connect with the group.

There is no other free choice  in the world besides this choice. All humans on the face of the earth are enslaved and lack free choice. It is impossible to do anything in your present, past, or future if you don’t begin to change your fate with the help of the group and not choose going forward with an individual yearning instead of the stick that is pushing you from behind.

Therefore, the way for everyone is the same, but if you grasp this as desirable and pass through all the inner changes from your own free will, then you will begin to be changed from egoism to altruism. And if not, then nature will obligate you to change through great suffering that will eventually break you and you will agree to do everything yourself.

Question: So if a person doesn’t feel happy about his involvement with spiritual work, this is a sign that he is doing something incorrectly?

Answer: This is saying that he is not advancing. It is possible to advance only through happiness. Forward movement represents my preference for the characteristic of bestowal instead of the characteristic of reception, the characteristic of love instead of the characteristic of hatred. How is this possible if you are not happy with your choice? There cannot be anything like this. It is a sign that there is still no choice.
[110170]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk Day One 6/14/13, Lesson 2

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Everything that we want to attain in spirituality, which is the attribute of bestowal, can be attained only by our unity. So if we want to learn something during the lesson in the convention we can do that only if we imagine the unity between us. To the extent that we imagine this, to the extent we aspire for this, even if we don’t understand the upper unity (above our ego) exactly, even if we are only trying to imagine all that in our current attributes, it already spurs the upper Light, which means the next level that bestows upon us and “draws” us to it.

To advance is to ascend as a result of the influence of an upper level, which illuminates upon you to the extent that you are drawn to it. So every time we try to connect before a lesson, especially during conventions, we have to accurately focus on that.

If a person tries to create such inner tension by himself and to search for it, it will lead to nothing if it doesn’t go through the society, through connection, through the attribute that operates when many unite into one whole. After all, we were shattered so we would collect ourselves and feel spirituality independently, so we would be a spiritual “embryo.”

When we descend from the top down unconsciously, from the world of Ein Sof (Infinity) to our world, we have no knowledge yet, no awareness, no feeling, since it all happens as a direct result of the Light, or under the influence of the Direct Light. So we don’t exist yet, we are only on the first levels of our development. We have to develop just as our universe developed from energy to a material form through the levels of the still, vegetative, animate, and human beings.

The ascent from the bottom up, now that we are only beginning to implement it to all of humanity, can be performed only according to the unity between us or more accurately, according to our efforts to unite. We don’t have to unite, it is impossible, but we can aspire for that. To the extent that we aspire for that, we create the conditions to get closer to the next higher level, and then the first spiritual level illuminates upon us. By our attempts to unite, we spur its influence according to our yearning for unity.

If a person aspires for attaining spirituality without this influence, then no matter how he does it, he will only attain the distortions that exist in the world today: religions, beliefs, various methods, etc., many of which are based on different connections. If, on the other hand, we aspire to find ourselves in the center of unity (since we don’t exist otherwise), which means to create something common, whole, spiritual, the general vessel that was before the shattering, then we will draw the Ohr Makif (Surrounding Light) upon ourselves to the same extent. So let’s control ourselves and examine ourselves.

Any personal attempt to learn something, to understand, or to feel is wrong if it is not immediately aimed at unity and through it to exiting. Then the “I” becomes “we” and “we” becomes one whole in which we already begin to feel the upper level.

So the most important thing is to imagine this general state, the general vessel.

We have to train ourselves for this state. Here our very attempts are important, no matter what they are: if our search fails, when you constantly fall into your ego, into your personal desire and feeling. All these efforts are actually good, lead us towards the goal, and are accepted. It is just like a small child who constantly tries to do something and although he doesn’t succeed, it is such attempts that help him grow and eventually turn him into a skillful, understanding adult.

So we have to examine ourselves especially regarding this point. We have to get used to it just as we get used to every action or different perspective that seems strange at first. First, our ego will certainly reject this until we see some benefit in it for ourselves. But it is its help called “help against” that gives us the chance to make certain efforts when we enter and when we exit, that means when we are thrown out of thoughts about unity and by making artificial efforts, we remind one another about it and unite again in our thoughts, no matter what the outcome is, whether we succeed or not and whether it is easy or difficult.

Of course we will succeed less and less since the ego that we need in order to attain the first spiritual level is not a simple thing. Compared to the ordinary ego it is much greater and more sophisticated. It is our spiritual ego and it belongs to a different level, to the “human” level. It is based on the integrality that is above our nature, above the speed of Light, above the understanding of cause and effect that we see in our world. This ego is different not only in power but also in its inner intensity. Its structure is more complicated.

It is as if we build electronic circuits from different components and they begin to communicate with one another. They used to be separate parts: capacitors, resistors, diodes, and transistors, but they didn’t work. Each of them seems to be living a minimal life, but the circuit itself actually begins to work only when it is put together correctly and is connected to a source of energy, to the upper level.

So we mustn’t forget that our ego will constantly grow and that it will always be increasingly more difficult to reach the thoughts about our collective powers about the collective feeling and the collective mind. But in this way we reach the state of our initial connection.

The example of the electric circuit helps us understand that the main thing is the initial connection. Then more and more elements that cooperate better, join it and tune to one another, enter a “resonance,” and adjust themselves to one another. This is the spiritual ascent.

Then it is simpler. If someone starts working and if there is minimal life in this circuit, it becomes easier. After all, now you will work with the spiritual level with new data. You examine these instruments, you know them, you feel them, which means that you constantly adjust the circuit and tune it to work better until it becomes a system that functions fully at its utmost level.

But in the meantime, we have to assemble it first. After all, the moment we reach the minimal spiritual effort, there will be an immediate connection to the source and the beginning of a movement in the circle of connection between us. Then we begin to feel the upper mind and already work according to its laws.
[110009]
From the Convention in Krasnoyarsk 6/13/13, Lesson 2

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We have two methods of dissemination: physical dissemination through the usual system of connection and simultaneously an inner dissemination in the spiritual network that is discovered to the degree that we apply the integral method between us. Our success depends on the degree to which we aspire to this, that our efforts will somehow be able to enter the system of creation, and then gradually will enter it.

Therefore, inner work in the system of creation in the connection between us and between all of humanity needs to be primary and the external work needs to be secondary. Then after that, paradoxically, the secondary external system will begin to act since they will require our method. If we work among us in groups in the right form, our actions and efforts will extend into the inner system. Then the people around us will suddenly begin to feel how relationships in couples, in the workplace, internationally, among peoples, and so on, should be organized. This will attract them, they will come to us and will aspire to this.

Do you see how each of us suddenly feels and understands where the origin of this higher knowledge is to be found? I personally searched for truth everywhere until I found it “coincidentally,” as it seemed to me. But the truth is that nothing is coincidental in this world since from our side there is some kind of distinct desire to bring ourselves out of depression from a blind alley; it seems there is everything, but there is nothing, on one hand.

On the other hand, my teachers Baal HaSulam and Rabash tried to disseminate. So it happened that I was influenced by this inner force that they tried to insert into the system of creation. Therefore, I advanced towards them like a charge in an electromagnetic field advances toward its origin. So it is for each of us.

We must understand that the main thing is unity between us. We dedicate much time and effort to dissemination, but the main thing is dissemination between us. The groups are now essentially involved with external dissemination.

But unless we are ready for internal dissemination, we will not get anywhere. In the spiritual world, everything is interconnected: In the beginning of the action is its end, and in the end, the beginning. The opportunity was given to us to reach the method of correction, the ascent, because the rest of humanity requires this. In an integral system you require others—each requires all and all require each—you see this is an analog system mutually connected, so we have no other choice. It is even forbidden for us to think in an individual form.

If we are detached from spiritual thoughts, immediately we must think about closeness between us, meaning the basis, the bedrock, upon which our dream can be realized, a higher state. We have to think of the matter: where it will manifest itself, in what medium. The carrier is our common connection between us. So it will be with the entire world.
[109942]
From the Convention in Krasnoyarsk 6/13/13, Lesson 2

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Question: It is very important for us to transform the inner states rapidly. State number one is: “There is none else besides Him.” And what is the second state? There must be at least two if there is a change of states.

Answer: In contrast to the state of “There is none else besides Him,” its opposite is found, my ego. What else can there be?

You are like Moses found between the Creator and Pharaoh and both are plagued by it. The Creator says to him, “Go to Pharaoh.” And he, the poor man, stands unable to decide, “Where am I going? Where are you taking me to this gigantic snake?” The Creator intentionally pushes Moshe towards the ego because it is only when you face it that you need the Creator. This means that the Creator pushes us into an abyss so that we will be caught there. This is all the work in exile from spirituality since we are detached from the oneness of the Creator.

The state of “There is none else besides Him” is not happiness but immense tension, so as not to fall and open this state further, for the moment that you leave Him, that’s it! He disappears.

Therefore, I wish you to be only in a single state like this all the time. There is no need for a second state because you see it is contrary to the first, everything is disconnected within it, you don’t see anyone or anything managing our world, so you begin to invent something by yourself.

In order to discover “There is none else besides Him” it is necessary to use the principle, “If I am not for myself who will be for me”.

Question: Actually we pass through a multitude of different states….

Answer: There is no multitude of states. There is either the Creator or myself. There are no other states! Who establishes the state? Either I understand, see clearly, and feel clearly in every one of my cells that everything around me is the Creator or I think that everything depends on me and a few other sources. One of the two! There cannot be three. It is either the ego or the Creator.

Question: Which is to say if I hold onto the Creator like a leech, then nothing else concerns me and I don’t replace this state with anything?

Answer: It is not that nothing concerns me. There is a constant tension that doesn’t allow you to let go, don’t miss, don’t miss, and don’t miss. But if the group helps you this becomes a pleasant journey because together with the others when everyone helps, everyone acts, everyone awakens, then you are freed from tension.

Anyway, you cannot hold onto a position in this state by yourself. But when the group encompasses you, then your shared work begins. And the Creator, instead of personally illuminating you with some very small ray of Light, begins to be revealed between you as a whole range of feelings like a sea overflowing its banks.

And you begin to play with this level of power between you. But this is already an easy game. It is difficult only as long as you are individually held by the Creator. But when you feel Him among you, already you begin to play with this characteristic: how it can be increased, how its form can be changed; it’s in your hands.
[110403]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk 6/14/13, Lesson 3 

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Question: How is it possible to understand that I am found in the right line? How long can this feeling continue and at what moment does the rejection into the left side occur?

Answer: The expression of being found in the right line is a feeling of joy, happiness, security, spiritual elevation, and a mutual yearning for this. A feeling of good energy is the right line. It is impossible to cry and be thankful simultaneously.

Theoretically, we can advance in the right line only by constantly growing, extending, and expanding in connection with the friends, the group, bestowal, and love. But in practice, this is impossible. In spite of it all, we are not that strong.

In practice weakness, laziness, and so forth comes, we leave the right line and are thrown into the left. For the sake of the work, the ego enters, drawing us to the “left,” to comfort, relaxation, and letting go. We no longer want anything, we begin to criticize others and no longer want to work with the group, with the friends. It is apparently necessary to leave this state, but we don’t succeed in doing this.

What can one do? In a situation like this, the group needs to “shake and squeeze” us. It needs to declare: “You must leave this state!” It must agitate a friend in this manner to influence him with the power of persuasion and joy, with everything possible, just so he will not remain in a descent and will leave this critical state.

It is necessary to understand that if a person falls, his departure and descent from this fall depends on the group. The group must try to help him at least twice. If the group works on the friend for a particular time and there is no result, then it is necessary to let him rest; after a number of days the group can seriously begin to take care of him again. If they don’t succeed again, only then are they allowed to let him go, but he can also remain.

Question: Will there be a time when we become so strong that we can all advance together in the “right line”?

Answer: To advance together in the right line is our goal. It is necessary to work on this. For when we are found in the right line we attract the Light, the power of bestowal, maximally, we constantly thank the Creator and we are welcomed by Him. But this is only on the condition that there is serious cooperative work, because in general we become weaker in these states, we begin to enjoy our sensations, and this is liable to lead to a descent.

When we are found in the right line, we need to say to ourselves we are enjoying the friends and in this way, we are giving pleasure and delight to the Creator. If I hold on to my yearning for the Creator through the friends, then I will not fall.
[110166]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk Day One 6/14/13, Lesson 2

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Question: This comes up all the time that we need to work for the sake of some reward. How is it possible to correct this intention? Which actions must we pass through and how many? How can we really act opposite to this?

Answer: You will gradually change your assessment of the quality of the reward. Essentially you conceive the reward to be—either the state in which you feel yourself to be good, the state when others feel themselves to be good, or  the state where the Creator feels himself to be good due to your deeds.

That is, the reward must be constant. Everything depends on its quality:  What is my reward? If the friends become fulfilled as a result of what I do, this is the reward. Would it be impossible to enjoy this?

I only need to check myself, what is the cause and what is the result? Am I doing good for the friends for my own enjoyment, or do I behave like this because it will be good for them; and because of this I enjoy it? That is, my fulfillment is detachment of the feeling of joy from my Kelim (vessels) and its presence and feeling is in the Kelim of the friends.

Question: Is this a static process or is it possible to run it all the time?

Answer: This is a gradual developmental process of the person within a group. By blindly carrying out everything that the Kabbalists say and write, we can reach this rapidly.

After all, we can never see the next level of our development. Yet the Kabbalists give us advice, how we can make ourselves similar to the next level, become ready for it while being on the level where we are found. How can I be ready for it if I don’t see it and don’t know anything about it? Therefore, they give us advice and recommendations. And without these I would not be able to do anything.

So there is no reason to be alone in the desert to sit there and begin trying to get in touch with the Creator. The method for reaching the upper world was discovered once and we know exactly how this was done: ten generations, ten teachers, ten Kabbalists from Adam to Noah, ten generations from Noah to Abraham, and so on, and so on in a chain.

It cannot be that someone will suddenly discover it in some other form. A person can somehow feel the upper world but not consciously, only temporarily, and then it disappears. I have met people like this. And in order to be found in the spiritual world, clearly, realistically and correctly, and to work with all of our Kelim, which is to say with all the desires and thoughts, we require this method. This already came from Adam so he is considered to be the forefather of all people, all belonging to the level of Adam (Man).
[110408]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk 6/14/13, Lesson 3

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Question: You say that “it is impossible to thank the Creator when I am crying.” What does this mean?

Answer: I cannot cry from pain and simultaneously thank the one who causes me this pain. The sensation of pain suggests that you cannot thank Him, i.e., you might be doing this but superficially. You understand and are aware of this in your mind but not in the feelings.

You need to work on your feelings so that you can feel pleasure instead of pain while correcting the egoism. If the obstruction comes from the Creator, then it should be turned into happiness, joy, and pleasure. This is what we are engaged in. This is the correction of our Kelim (vessels).

But as long as you feel at least some flaw in your state, it is not called that you thank the Creator. In principle, He does not need to be thanked. When you feel good, this is your unconscious gratitude to Him. And if you also attribute this to Him, then it is complete gratitude. It’s very simple.
[110406]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk 6/14/13, Lesson 3

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Question: If I share my joy and impressions with a friend, how do I know that it does not harm him?

Answer: There are two prohibitions in relations with friends.

The first prohibition is to tell no one about your relationships with the Creator. The only person with whom you can talk about this is your wife if she is constantly with you on the path. With the friends you can talk about anything related to your relationship with the group, studies, and anything else, except your relationship with the Creator.

The second prohibition is in no way, not by word, not by gesture, not by facial expressions,to express any disdain for spiritual work. Do not decrease friends’ desires, but all the time try to awaken and develop their desire towards the goal. Do not provoke any momentary, insignificant descent in them. Be careful not to trigger it even by some gesture: watch constantly for this. In the end you will have to feel yourself in ascent all the time. Otherwise, they will take this degradation from you.
[110413]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk 6/14/13, Lesson 3

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Question: It says that the “Creator is good and benevolent.” So what do the words “in pain you will bring forth children” mean? What is the meaning of this pain and sorrow?

Answer: Childbirth involves sorrow and pain, and while reading the Torah we are under the impression that the Creator is cruel especially towards women. He says to the woman: “Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you.” As if these are two opposing forces but are both aimed at the same cause.

Malchut, our desire, yearns for the source of the filling, for Zeir Anpin, for the male part. What is more, it exists in each of us, both in man and in woman. We yearn for the source of the filling and this egoistic filling rules over us and we cannot do anything about it. This is the attitude of the female part towards the male part.

“In pain you will bring forth children,” means that the birth of every new level, of every new feeling, of every attainment, is through the path of sufferings.

Each time a greater ego is revealed in us, so when we go through many states for a long time we begin to see that it is evil and that we must exit it like from Egypt, to pop out like a pit out of a cherry, under the same pressure that a baby successfully comes out of his mother’s womb during childbirth.

But every birth involves pain, since birth is every new level in which two opposing forces are involved, one of them is the inhibiting force of the embryo, since the ego holds on to him and doesn’t let him come out, at the same time the altruistic pushing force, that pushes the fruit out and doesn’t want to keep it inside is also revealed.

The struggle between these two opposing forces creates a transition process called “pain,” “in pain you will bring forth children.” On the whole, all the corporeal phenomena stem from spirituality. Thus we are born on every level.

So we have to approach the spiritual states by understanding that the group is our “womb,” and in it we have to create the two opposing forces. One of them is the egoistic force that sustains us and the other is the altruistic force of rejection that raises us all. By leaving the force that sustains us on the outside we are born only by the force that pushes us and that leads us onwards.

This spiritual process is typical of men, who go through it in every spiritual birth, on every spiritual level, exactly like women.
[110297]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk Day One 6/14/13, Lesson 3

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Question: Why were we given such conditions of being thousands of kilometers apart from one another?

Answer: Because you are strong, you are heroes, you are the concealed righteous.

Actually you don’t have to stay in the same place if you can unite with others and there is no way to organize a group where you live. You don’t have to remain in the place where you live at all costs.

I also moved to live near my teacher. Of course in Israeli standards it wasn’t far but qualitatively it was very meaningful since I had to give up my business, my home, everything, since I couldn’t go on differently.

But it happened two years after I had started studying with him. I wanted to move near him immediately but he didn’t let me do so for two years.

Question: How can we choose the group and the conditions correctly?

Answer: You have to move to a place where there is a good group with good reliable guys so you will really be able to dedicate yourself seriously to the spiritual work.

Besides, there should be reasonable conditions for the family there and a place of work. You have to check all this.

I believe that there is no need to take any chances. But if there is no hope of organizing a group in the place where you live, you should move.
[110294]
From the Convention In Krasnoyarsk 6/14/13, Lesson 3

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