Entries in the 'Daily Kabbalah Lesson' Category

Your Efforts Do Not Vanish Into Thin Air

Dr. Michael LaitmanIt is written, “There is none else besides Him,” meaning, the upper Light is always at absolute rest and always influences us with goodness. But on the other hand, it is written, “The monster will swallow it and spew it out,” and indeed, we see that no matter how many efforts we make, everything disappears. Months go by as we work, exerting in the intention to the best of our ability, but it all ends up useless.

Yet it’s impossible for any action to exist in nature without bringing any result, whether good or bad. Of course, the result is always there and it does not disappear anywhere. The results just seem to disappear to us because the actions and thoughts of the past become forgotten, and at every moment I am like a new person.

But where is all of this saved? In our desire, at its very depth! If we make any action with our desire, intention, or effort, with all of the reality that is depicted to us by this desire, regardless of it being correct or not, then it no longer disappears.
Everything that any person or any element of creation does, any part of it – whether still, vegetative, animate, or human, according to its level – everything is swallowed inside of Malchut, the desire that exists in creation.

But if a person has the aspiration to attain bestowal, then his actions become special. Even if he acts for his own sake for now (Lo Lishma), he forgets that he has to give pleasure to the Creator and does not know when he will ever achieve this.

All of a person’s actions (in the group, in his attitude to the study) are completely egoistic for now, and they are swallowed by the “impure force” (Klipa), meaning his egoistic desires in which he acted at that moment. His desires and thoughts were aimed at his own benefit, and the action turned out egoistic. Yet everything is preserved and nothing disappears. After all, a person nevertheless makes efforts in the state he was given, and he has to gradually grow.

And when he reaches a stage where the sum of the efforts he made, his attempts and the group that he organized for himself, produce a result, then all of his accumulations, which are preserved in the impure desires without his awareness, suddenly appear and come out in the form of corrected desires. Then he receives them and continues moving onward with them.

This happens all the time, and it is a very important principle. We have to understand that every action is beneficial, even if it’s egoistic. And all of our actions, which we make over many months, eventually gather together in order to suddenly become revealed.

And when at times a person manages to attain a slightly greater aspiration to bestowal, even one that is still “Lo Lishma,” but is already closer to “Lishma,” then he starts to gain a better understanding and sensation of the past. He realizes what he has gone through and what has happened to him.
[48589]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/19/11, Shamati

Related Material:
An Endless Attack
The Healer’s Sharp Knife
Zero Can Be Infinite Too
A Gift For A Broken Heart

Upbringing Works On Every Age

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: We are trying to teach the world about unity, but an egoistic one for now. How can we later raise people to the level of love for the Creator?

Answer: They will make this transition under our guidance. After all, we are leading them into the framework of the new upbringing, rather than just gushing in front of the public.

People will have to enter the network of upbringing, which envelops every age group, from 0 until 120, and which is in effect from now until the end of correction, throughout all times. Everyone will have to undergo an unceasing process of upbringing. Say, a third of the day will be spent on work, and two thirds on upbringing, which is also work in and of itself.

Then, through a gentle, customary presentation, we will explain to people the principles of Baal HaSulam, adapted to the whole world. After all, the science of Kabbalah talks about the will to enjoy and the will to bestow pleasure, about their relationships and interactions, about how to correct our nature. There is nothing “virtual,” imaginary, “spiritual,” or mystical about it. It is talking about forces that act inside of you.

By revealing them more and more, you will see that no one is forcing you to “float up in the clouds.” “Spirituality” is the intention for bestowal. If I attained bestowal to another person, that means I am spiritual. But if I care for myself, then I am material. Our relationships, which are based on bestowal, are the spiritual world, whereas our current relationships are the material world.

But we are not even talking about any kind of “worlds.” After all, it’s difficult for a person to give up his old notions, and therefore he will become confused. Therefore, we are giving him simple explanations, presenting the entire science of Kabbalah without any special terminology, with scientific words.

We have to build up this system of upbringing so we could gradually give people the knowledge about human nature. Nothing more than that is necessary. We are talking about man’s nature, which is the only thing that was created.

Thanks to this, a person will constantly develop until he discovers what lies on the outside – the system of his interconnection with others. And in it, he will reveal the Creator.

In practice, we can give explanations in terms of perception of reality: A person isn’t even revealing a connection with others, but himself. The desires that appear external and alien to him become revealed as his own. It turns out that this is him. By bringing the external parts closer to himself, it’s as if he sews them on, implants them, and joins together the separated organs of his body. And according to this, he feels and reveals the perfect reality.

Now I see only what is present in a small part of the broken body. But the more parts I reunite with it, the more I reveal in it.
[48600]
From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/19/11, “Arvut”

Related Material:
The Catalyst Of The Spiritual Desire
Our Meeting Place With Humanity
The Influence Of The Environment With A Spiritual Illumination

Know The Desire Of Your Neighbor

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: Are we addressing scientists and other thinking people so that our message could descend through them to others?

Answer: Yes. We could direct scientists to address the governments on the top and the people on the bottom. It’s as if we are approaching from aside and mixing in with this middle layer of intelligent, thinking people and scientists. We bring them to a common task, to a common opinion, and elicit them to address the higher and lower layers.

We don’t have any other opportunity. We cannot do this on our own because we are armed with a method that appears unrealistic to both. And if we will wait until they discern that it is realistic, we will be letting the world slide down to the path of suffering.

Question: Are we striving to build this address on a reasonable basis?

Answer: Of course. Only on a reasonable basis. Every person has to be addressed according to his desire. And that includes the Creator as well: If I want to establish a connection with Him, then I have to act in agreement with His desire. He wants to bestow to me – and that’s wonderful. I give him this opportunity. I open myself up for His gifts, and this is reception for the sake of bestowal.

I am always working with someone else’s desire because otherwise I do not make contact with others, but on the contrary, I close myself off inside. At first I have to feel the desire of the neighbor, be it a desire of the masses, of scientists, of my friend, of the group, or of the Creator. After that I work according to this desire. For what? For unification. In what way? However this desire dictates to me.

Incidentally, this is why advertising agencies first hold surveys in order to discern what people think, what they want, and what they are drawn to. Everyone who works with the public and desires to achieve success is always holding his hand on the pulse of his audience. How else can they go about it? If you want to speak to a certain part of the people, then you have to know their desires. These are basic truths.
[48606]
From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/19/11, “Arvut”

Related Material:
To Give Does Not Mean to Impose
Talk When You Have Something To Say
Falling Asleep In The Enemy’s Grip
Turning To The Creator To Get Light For The Friend

Who Fell: You Or Me?

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: How can I justify a friend who fell and lost his correct intention?

Answer: So, the question sounds like this: How can I justify myself for thinking that my friend has seemingly lost the intention? One has to relate to it in two ways: Externally, I should help him with practical actions. Internally, I should justify him and think that if I were him, I would have fallen much deeper.

And even deeper within myself, I say that I see him fallen only because the Creator made me see it this way. And all this is done so that I rise above this thought and consider that he is totally corrected, and I am not corrected if I see him so fallen. As it is said: “Every person judges according to his own flaws.”

The key is to understand that it is like we are in a crystalline lattice; we are in the force field of the Creator Who manages all our states. And therefore, you need to consider a friend as the Creator’s representative who shows you some of His attitudes towards you. You have to view the entire group and even the world and yourself in this way.

You are given a site where you should always put things in order and bring it to the final corrected state. You must correct your sight to see the world at the end of correction (Gmar Tikkun). Through this, you will reach the end of your correction.

Indeed, nothing changes in spirituality; even now you are in an absolutely perfect state. Why do you see its exact opposite, this broken world and everybody uncorrected?

Yet, if you disseminate the method of correction in the world and desire to attain the corrected state together with everyone else as much as possible, you will be correcting yourself and transferring these parts which seem external to you into internal ones.

When you will pray, you will judge yourself and want to change. As a result, you will come to a state where everything will be connected, and the upper Light will be revealed in these connected parts. Then, externality and internality will become equal.
[48397]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/17/2011, Writings of Rabash

Related Material:
What Is That In Your Hands: A Rod Or A Serpent?
Whom To Judge And Why
All That Is Bad In You Is Your “Self”

The Blindness Of Egoism

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: What is happening in the world, and what do these developments require us to do?

Answer: A lot of things are happening in the world. Some people already understand that we are approaching a crisis or catastrophe. When speaking in Europe with those who are versed in economics, I felt a mixture of anxiety and fear. Learned people do not understand what is to happen next and have no idea how we will find a way out of the predicament we are in.

They say that in the last two or three centuries, humanity became trapped. Thirty years ago, the study confirming that the consumer society can develop steadily to infinity claimed the Nobel Prize. The human ego just could not see that one day the feast would come to an end.

But wait a minute, what about the natural resources? And what about human nature? Our ego was so blinded by its own “success” that we were unwilling to acknowledge the obvious.

A few years ago in our discussions with leading economists, they denied any possibility of a crisis. Such is the human ego; it is arranged so that it does not allow us to see it. Even the most brilliant experts take its bait, no matter how clever they are. The reason is human nature.

Today, many VIPs prefer not to think about tomorrow. There is no escape; nothing can be done; come what may. And this pain, this confusion, we cannot succumb to. After all, on one hand, they have billions in their pockets, while on the other, billions of people have nothing to eat.

As a result, there is talk of world war, that should get rid of half of humanity. They see this as a “solution.” Logically, there is no other solution: Sources of energy are depleted, and the economy can no longer stay on edge. Therefore, the revival is possible only after the mass destruction.

No one is acting in this direction intentionally, yet everything is headed there out of despair, by the nature of things. World War II was the result of a process caused by the Great Depression, and the same scenario could be repeated today. For example, today nearly all believe that the common European market is counting its days.

Under the circumstances, we, on our part, have to make sure that the name of the Good Who does Good emerges as a living sensation in all humanity, in all people, in the collective vessel, one common soul, which was initially created, in order to feel it in its original form and as quickly as possible.
[48303]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/17/2011, Baal HaSulam’s Letter No. 13

Related Material:
A World War Or A World Guarantee?
Globalistics
Standing At The Beginning Of Glorious Deeds

Focus On The Mutual Guarantee

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: Why don’t we realize the mutual guarantee between us and then influence the whole world? What do we want from others?

Answer: It is correct; we have to experience this first. For example, it is written in the article “Love for the Creator and Love for the Created Beings“: To the extent in which the sons of Israel unite by keeping the Torah, to that extent they pass their power to the rest of the nations.

Therefore, we have devoted many years, our entire life to organize groups and supporters around the world. We must continue what we have started. On one hand, this brings us to the mutual guarantee, but on the other, dissemination should not be only internal but also external. One does not cancel the other.

And of course, our main focus is the inner work.
[48158]
From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/14/2011, “The Arvut (Mutual Guarantee)”

Related Material:
What Is Mutual Guarantee In a Virtual Group?
Mutual Guarantee On A Silver Platter
The Simple Law Of Mutual Guarantee

Daily Kabbalah Lesson – 07.19.11

Shamati #35 “Concerning the Vitality of Kedusha″
Download: WMV Video|MP3 Audio

The Book of Zohar – Selected, Chapter “Truma (Donation) 2,” “And I Was Beside Him an Amon (Apprentice),” Item 640, Lesson 27
Download: WMV Video|MP3 Audio

Talmud Eser Sefirot Part 1 “Table of Answers for Topics,” Item 83, Lesson 42
Download: WMV Video|MP3 Audio

Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah, Item 32, Lesson 21
Download: WMV Video|MP3 Audio

“The Arvut (Mutual Guarantee),” Item 21, Lesson 5
Download: WMV Video|MP3 Audio

An Endless Attack

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: We aren’t doing enough in our individual, inner work. How can we come out of this state?

Answer: With an attack. You cannot do anything else here. All the primary sources are in front of you.

Question: But why aren’t we able to turn all of our attacks into one common attack, one desire?

Answer: One attack won’t help. It will work only if it becomes unceasing, if our blows will be constantly pelting into one point without a break.
[48489]
From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/18/11, “Arvut”

Related Material:
The Healer’s Sharp Knife
Everything Depends Upon You
An Attack Inside The Heart

In Nature’s Clutches

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: Baal HaSulam writes that the whole world has to enter the boundaries of the mutual guarantee. What does that mean?

Answer: Indeed, right now the whole world is entering the conditions of mutual guarantee. Stated differently, in our times all of the conditions have come together for mutual guarantee to be accepted in the whole world.

Obviously, this is a gradual process. Until now we have developed inside of our egoism, which increasingly grew stronger, and we operated only by using our environment for our own benefit. We constantly “modified” the external environment, while in the meantime, egoism grew bigger.

And today, a very curious occurrence has happened: the environment which we constantly wanted to change to suit ourselves became a rigid, fixed, interconnected, wholesome system. We cannot change it any longer. On the contrary, it is letting its temperament come through, is putting pressure on us and is ready to elicit changes in us by means of disasters and problems.

The external environment consists not only of ecological, natural factors, but it is also the human society, the interconnection between us in different areas and aspects: in economics, education, family life, healthcare, and so on. Every one of us lives in this environment.

Previously I changed it as I wished, in whatever way was most comfortable for me. Stated differently, I changed by nature, and I changed nature. But now nature is appearing as an integral system to me and I have to change myself. In the past I changed this natural system, but now it is pressuring me and changing me. It is becoming increasingly more integral, cramped, wholesome, and soldered together, and because of that, it squeezes me in its clutches, forcing me to take on its standard whether I want it or not.

After all, I am inside of it, and when it comes right up to me, “skin to skin,” I don’t have a way out and I suffocate. I have to change.

I perceive nature’s communication with me in the form of crises, suffering, and great problems. This is the path if we go through it by the pre-scheduled program. However, in nature’s globality and integrality, I can see something good and desirable ahead of time, and then I will be happy to take on its form and “put it on” myself, becoming similar to nature.

In any case, it is necessary to observe the law of equivalence of form between myself and the environment, between us and nature. In order to be similar to the form that nature demonstrates to me today, I have to be wholesomely connected with all humanity, and all of humanity—with the still, vegetative, and animate levels. This is the meaning of existing inside the single nature.

First of all, I have to take care of the human society, including its attitude to the ecology. And for that it is necessary to change man so that people, countries, and ecological circles would unite with one another, so upbringing would become unified, so equality would set in all over the world.

It’s not equality of religion or faith, culture or customs. They can remain the way they are. But above them there has to be a common equality in which everyone are united. And even though differences are preserved inside, they do not interfere with what’s important. It is written, “Love will cover all sins.”

Besides, we have to care for the still, vegetative, and animate nature so we don’t destroy the earth, which is intended for all of us, and so its important resources won’t run dry.

We have to think about the future, but we are not doing that today. We mine oil from the earth, which is the basis for 90% of our production, be it plastic parts, energy, or others types of production. If we simply burn oil for the wrong needs, then we are robbing our grandchildren. Nothing will be left for them. And therefore, we must already think about how to act.

Thus, unification should not be limited by the current moment, the short-lived desire to mollify the situation and avoid problems. Unification must involve a vision into the future, a program for the future, an inventory of what we are leaving to our children.

We have already passed “the oil peak” and have shifted to the phase of exhausting the remaining reservoirs. So what will we leave to our descendants for an inheritance? After all, oil is necessary not only for burning, but also as raw material for the production of various goods. And on the other hand, we don’t have any comparable source of energy.

Unification between us will bring us to unification with nature, and then we will understand how to properly use the natural resources, how to make the transition to equality, to a normal, balanced economy with fair distribution.

Otherwise there is such a great meltdown in store for us that we will not be able to come out of it. If we exhaust the natural reservoirs, we will be simply left with nothing, and we won’t have anything by which to keep living. We won’t have a wealthy relative who can help us in an emergency situation. We will not survive this crisis with the previous means because it does not have alternative solutions.

What’s at stake here is not just oil, but many other resources of the earth. We think that there is no end to their abundance, but that is not so. Over several decades of reckless high rolling, we have discovered the bottom of the “bottomless barrel.” The time has come to shift to a new, global approach.
[48492]
From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/18/11, “Arvut”

Related Material:
Recognizing Darkness In The Black Point
Changing Ourselves Together
Becoming Global On The Inside

Do Not Hurt A Friend

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: When a person is approaching the property of bestowal, how is it reflected in his work in the group?

Answer: He tries all the time to maintain a sense of mutual guarantee so that his friends feel no lack of anything, so that they strengthen the mutual intention to bestow, do not forget about this, and do not abandon efforts for a moment. Then, they will also affect him, and the feeling of the importance of the goal and the warmth of the hearts will reign between them.

That is what concerns a person. The thoughts about the friends are more effective than the thoughts about oneself. Caring about personal advancement will bring only little correction, induced by fear and other external calculations. On the other hand, if one invests efforts in others, he or she certainly holds the true course.

Thoughts, intentions, and calculations not aimed at the connection with the group, at the unity with friends, are directed past spirituality. They do not attract the Light that Reforms. The important thing is only what you intend to do in the group. If you care about cohesion of friends, about their future, this is the spiritual work which will bear fruit, and everything else except this will not.

Hillel gave a short definition: “What is hateful to you, do not do to another.” In other words, you have nothing else to think of in your life but how not to hurt a friend. This is enough for your egoism for the time being. Try to correct yourself so that in every moment, in each revealed desire, you think only about how not to hurt a friend.

Do this, and you will succeed: When you will desire to act without hurting a friend, a good attitude towards him will be suddenly revealed to you.
[48313]
From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/10/2011, “Matan Torah (The Giving of the Torah)”

Related Material:
Quarreling For The Sake Of Making Up
Bestowal For The Sake Of Bestowal: A Clean-Up State
Why Love My Friend More Than Myself?
The Right To Serve The Friends