The purpose of creation, the goal of an all-inclusive, comprehensive nature is to bring us in balance at all levels: the still, vegetative, animate, and human. We, at our human (speaking) degree, corrupt nature, and this corruption expands from us down to all lower levels. We ourselves already feel it.

Since we belong at the animate level, we experience all pain at the still, vegetative, and animate degrees. As to the human degree, we have to achieve it by becoming similar to the Creator in our qualities. The way to accomplish it lies in our unification.

That is why in the recent times, once we have arrived at the evolution of the human level in humanity, we also start experiencing suffering in it. Not only nature, but humanity and all its systems as well are in a deep, general crisis that we witness today.

There is no doubt that nature, this omnipotent force that includes us too, will win and bring us to the final destination. But we have an opportunity to reach this goal consciously, by cultivating the human within us. We can’t reach the goal if some force keeps dragging us forward or pushing us from behind. It won’t work. Either way, the pain will become so intense that it won’t allow us to remain in apathy and idleness.

We will have to act and realize that each action carries the intention of the Creator, His objective, and we will have to accept it willingly, not through being forced into it. All forces of nature will pressure us and force us to evolve.

Therefore, we have two paths to the goal: pain or pleasure, “Beito” (in its time) or “Achishena” (ahead of time). But this doesn’t mean that we can walk the path of “Beito” and some day, at the right time, we’ll achieve the goal. No, it won’t work since to walk the path of “Beito” means that each moment brings me tremendous suffering so I may learn from it. Frankly, until now, that is exactly how we have been developing.

If we were to evolve by this method, the wisdom of Kabbalah would not have been revealed to us. But the program of creation dictates that with this wisdom we can transition from the path of suffering to the path of the Light, by choosing the path of correction and not waiting for the blows to continue falling on us with each small step we take.

Of course, it isn’t an easy path. Nevertheless, when we acquire an anti-egoistic screen, and with its help can control our nature, the path becomes easy, pleasant, and short.
[30651]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/23/10, “Peace in the World”

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Talmud Eser Sefirot, Volume 3, Part 8: Time and place in spirituality signify a renewal of form. Since a Partzuf grows only through a multitude of unions (Zivugim) and transfers of Lights that differ from one another, building it together, they are called "the months of the intrauterine development" or the period of embryonic development, which can last for 7, 9, or 12 months depending on the amount of portions of Light that are necessary to form it.

We study the changes that happen to the will to enjoy and count the number of these changes or renewals, which are called "months" (Hodesh, month, comes from the word Hidush, renewal). There is no time in spirituality. Time is determined by the number of changes that we have gone through, rather than the motion of the hand of a clock or the changes of some external factor. As much as I changed, that is how much time has gone by. This is how time is defined in spirituality.

Therefore, the period of an embryo’s development means that I go through one state after another ("I go through," Over, comes from the word embryo, Ibur). I have to go through a specific amount of changes in order to go from the intrauterine development inside the Upper One to development outside of Him.

Now I am also in the Upper One and He develops me. During this process of development I have absolutely no influence on the changes I undergo. I am forced to change by instincts and forces that I experience as suffering, and thus, I go through these changes against my will.

Then another phase comes: I start to feel that there is some kind of reason behind it, that there is a high need for it, and there is an Upper One who makes all these changes to me, wishing for me to start finding out about the system of governance, the cause and effect order of development, the beginning and goal of the whole path. That is how the whole world is beginning to awaken in our times.

After that we reach the realization that we have to evoke these changes ourselves. From a certain state onward there is no time that the Upper One changes for us, forcing us to develop. Now the Upper One only adds Lights for us, which we perceive as evil. However, this does not enable us to develop, but only to reach the realization that we have to demand development from the Upper One. That is, we must already participate in the development ourselves and demand it.

The Upper One does not force me to do the action itself, but only to request it so I would ask the Upper One to carry it out. My request has to be in the middle. For now this request can be expressed as a cry due to feeling bad.

After that I develop and am required to have this cry come out of the realization of goodness, when I understand that all of this is for my good. Even though I might feel bad in my sensations, I already realize that this is good for my development, because I have to ascend to the next level. Then the Upper One no longer demands a cry from me, but cooperation in development. This is called partnership.

After that we reach a state where the Upper One does not awaken me at all, but I have to search for an opportunity to awaken inside of me, using the environment. I have to awaken the Upper One so He would awaken me, and then agree with His action and tell Him exactly how to do it. It’s as if I understand and choose the best form of action for myself, and then the Upper One does it.

In the end we reach a state where I give the Upper One all the orders. In the beginning of the path He made all the actions upon me, from beginning to end, without my awareness. I did not know who is operating me, what He does, and where I am. But at the end of the path I determine everything from beginning to end, and only use the force of the Upper One.

Our entire path lies in that we acquire increasingly greater independence and self-sufficiency, becoming more and more similar to the Upper One.
[29951]
From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/16/10, Talmud Eser Sefirot

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Question: What is the inner work in the group between circles (Igulim) and the “straight line” (Yosher)?

Answer: Before I was satisfied with success in the corporeal world, but then I suddenly felt that something was missing in my life, and I began to search for a place where I would feel better. Thanks to this sensation I have come to the science of Kabbalah, but who was it that pushed me to it?

My questions are called “the desire for fulfillment” (Hissaron). I (my “point in the heart”) had existed in some “round” place and suddenly felt bad. In other words, a certain tension had emerged between me and my environment, a difference, a “delta.” I felt this delta (difference) as evil, as I was tormented by the question “What am I living for?” because I do not feel satisfied and balanced.

From this sensation the Surrounding Light had already begun to influence and move me since the preservation of balance is a law of nature. The Surrounding Light is what is pushing me to a state of balance.

I had begun to move and had transitioned into my next state; I began to look for answers in say mysticism, then came to some philosophy, and ultimately arrived at the center of the circle: the science of Kabbalah.

So who was it that has been leading me along this entire path? It is the Surrounding Light! I have always existed in it, only I didn’t always realize it. Thus I pass through the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th states.

In the 2^nd state, I was calmer with respect to the Surrounding Light because I felt less pressure than in the 1^st state. But after spending some time in that state, I was influenced by the Surrounding Light and began to feel that this state is not very good. That is, I increased my sensitivity to the Surrounding Light, which caused me to feel bad again! And again I began to search.

Thus I am pushed by the Light every time. In essence, I don’t do anything myself; it’s the light working on my desire, until I reach the very center.

At the center is a totally unique quality called a “group.” In this point the Surrounding Light (Ohr Makif) and the Inner Light (Ohr Pnimi) cease to influence me entirely.

I exist in the central point of all the “circles” (Igulim) where they do not function and also at the end of the “line” (Yosher) where it does not function. So what am I to do?

And here is where I need to act independently, for I find myself at a point of free will. Presently Light does not act on me, but waits. To the extent that I can bring myself out of this state of balance, the Light will begin to influence me!

I connect to the group, and all the additional desire that I receive from it elevates me! This desire pertains to the line, for I have received it from the group.

When my desire falls within the line, I find myself once more under the influence of Igulim (after all, I do not yet have a screen [Masach] and do not belong to Yosher), and once more I feel a difference between myself and the circles.

This leads to the Surrounding Light influencing me. It is not the general Light, but one that belongs to the Light for I have received my desire from the group, which is the line. This Surrounding Light in the line wishes to elevate me for the two of us to be in balance.

Herein lies the Segula (remedy), the miraculous power of the Torah, for this light influences me and elevates me in this straight “tube.” I rise on account of the Surrounding Light, but this Light influences me to the extent that I actualize my freedom of will in the group, by connecting to it in collective study.

Herein lies our entire work! Baal HaSulam explains it in the book, Beit Shaar HaKavanot, which is the foundation of all our intentions to reach bestowal. Therefore, I can only ascend “in the line” with the help of an additional force, which I receive from the group. According to the desire received from the group, the impression of the goal’s importance, the Creator’s greatness and the paltriness of my own ego, the Surrounding Light begins to influence me.
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From the 3^rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/14/10, Rav Yehuda Ashlag “Beit Shaar HaKavanot”

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Question: If we create a virtual spiritual environment for children in all the study groups in the world, will this affect the acceleration of time, as it is written, “Israel accelerates the times”?

Answer: Education would seem like a secondary aspect, but in reality it is the most important thing. If we provide an example of the right upbringing where our children blossom like flowers and excel at everything, including education, their behavior, their ability to perceive and to express themselves, then we will be able to show the world the new humanity. No one will be able to withstand this example.

We will show that this kind of education system can be organized not just in one place, but it can be done in a virtual form in many places all over the world. Thus we can create a new generation of humanity.

The current generation has a problem because it has no continuation; there is no next generation. All the suffering experienced by parents and even by people who don’t have children or a family, is accumulating together. If we set up a network with a system of educational television in the main languages of the world, we will be able to strengthen the social connections among children, organize special children’s camps, and much more, and then no one will be able to provide anything better. After all, the national education systems continue to fall apart.

This is the trump card that will allow us to win! When people see that every child who is educated in this network is successful in all the subjects, stands out with his good behavior, correct attitude to life, understanding, and his physical health, then there is no doubt that this will tell all.

It is impossible to copy this system; others can only join it because its foundation is common unity, while copying it would mean disunity. Therefore it won’t give a separate group or country the same result.

This system can only be organized based on the principles of unity: the world is global, the connection is integral, the necessity is to unite, and all people are brothers. It turns out that the world will have to accept our method, which will take on a systematic, scientific form.

Our network must be diverse and include children from different countries. We have to show that they all study the same primary source and the same method, and are all connected together. They are the new humanity with universal values, which is what evolution demands from us.
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From the talk on education on 10/31/10

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Everything in the world is based on the interaction of two forces: attraction and rejection. All matter is subject to them, be it galaxies or atoms. This is how two spiritual forces, the Light and Kli (vessel) manifest at our plane.

The Creator’s nature is the force of bestowal, and the nature of the created being is the force of reception. The purpose of creation is to obtain the force of the Creator and attain the state of His being. This determines the entire program: the order of evolution and all its stages.

The Creator created us “without asking” and equipped us with a sole desire to receive. A spark of desire to bestow plugs into it, and this arranges a chain of states from which we understand what the Creator wants from us. As a result, the created being consciously joins in the process and promotes its development.

When a spark of the second force awakens in me, I start comprehending for the first time what is going on, and I start thinking and asking questions. The awakened point in my heart is the Creator in me. It gives me an opportunity to be independent: Being between two desires, I compare them and look for a chance to be born so that I myself can operate these two forces on my way to the goal.

I obtain free will, and now I ponder the purpose of my life, not how well it satisfies my egoism. And that is the moment when into the field of my consciousness steps the force of connection between the parts of creation. The point flickering within me begins leading me to unity.

Subconsciously, not knowing why, people with the point in the heart gravitate to seeing the world as integral. Without falling into mysticism and popular new age trends, they want to see and comprehend the common system of interrelations of all parts of reality.

This unified connection they are seeking is the spiritual life. Integral interaction of cells and organs gives birth to the common body, and it experiences itself as living to the extent that its parts are connected.
[25272]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/29/10, The Writings of Rabash

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We begin our spiritual path once we acquire a relatively large egoistic desire following millennia of development, notably in this incarnation thanks to the point in the heart. Because of this point, the desire to receive develops faster and more “aggressively,” demanding more as it does. The point drives the desire in an unclear direction so it raises its head and increases its demands from this world.

Developing within the space of our world without the point in the heart, it belonged to the desires of the masses, but now, the spiritual impulse is leading it somewhere else entirely. We continue to develop egoistically, but our ego has grown and now wishes to “devour” all of reality, corporeal as well as spiritual.

With these two forces, man begins his spiritual search until he comes to the group and finds the method of correction. If he utilizes this method correctly by studying the wisdom of Kabbalah with the intention of using the environment to draw the Light, he embarks upon a road of spiritual development. In this process, man’s ego is combined with his aspiration for bestowal, which he derives from the environment. Gradually, a demand grows in his heart, and the Light cultivates it.
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From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/21/10, “I Am the First and I Am the Last”

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Question: Does a person who arrives at the final correction thereby conclude his corporeal incarnations (Gilgulim)? Does he feel satisfied or does he want to continue to incarnate?

Answer: I would word the question differently. You arrive in the spiritual world, cross the Machsom, and see to what extent you can bestow to others and how much you still need to do in this world, but then you suddenly hear: “No, you don’t; you are complete and eternal, and you will not go back to that low world!” But this is the time when you can truly act in bestowal and help the others on the path of correction. Would you miss it? Which world is better? Let’s live and see!
[24400]
From the Introductory Lecture 10/19/10, “We Shall Do and We Shall Hear”

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The evolution of the will to receive pleasure is a lengthy process. The whole wisdom of Kabbalah tells us about changes in the will to receive (desire). Baal HaSulam explains that in this process, desire (absence) always precedes fulfillment (existence).

First I feel a lack of something, and then I acquire what is missing; thus, one follows the other. At the same time, the lack, or will to receive (desire), is more important than the fulfillment since desire determines fulfillment.

In spirituality, this law acts exactingly, without concessions and favors, and if the creature doesn’t wish to climb the next step, it will not ascend; it won’t even come close to it. Everything depends on the preparation, based on the feeling of lack and absence of fulfillment. This is why “absence precedes existence.”

According to this law, all levels of creation are developing: from still to vegetative, animate, and speaking. Man, too, is born at the animate level, and then evolves and ascends to its designated level. The same is observed in the development of our inner world. As diverse as humanity is, so are its desires, which are also classified by four degrees: still, vegetative, animate, and speaking (within the human).

What then does a speaking level in humanity look like? They are the people or desires aimed at equivalence with the Creator, at the ascension to and adhesion with Him. In order to gain a strong desire, aspiring to this exalted goal, we must exist on both sides: sometimes rejecting the spiritual world, not comprehending, feeling, or agreeing with it, and other times, yearning for it and seeing something profound, good, and vital in it.

So absence and existence give way to one another, Light and darkness, and only thanks to both of them, the correct, wholesome desire are formed. For this reason, we enter the group with the understanding that there is no other way but in unification. Only among the friends do I grow a new desire to become equivalent to the Creator, and not just appeal to Him egoistically. In the group I absorb the value of bestowal, and at the same time, I discover how intensely I hate it.

If I am not afraid, and am willing to bear the revelation of my own evil, then this is called absence which precedes existence, the preparation to liberation. Having found himself at the mountain of his own hatred, a person demands existence, equivalence to the Creator. And then the reforming Light comes to bring him back to the Source.
[24534]
From the lesson on 10/22/10, Rabash’s Articles

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Question: Where does suffering come from? Am I causing it through my lack of equivalence to the Creator, or does He send it to us?

Answer: Definitely, all suffering is sent by the Creator since “there is none else but Him.” Humanity suffers on the path of its evolution, and the suffering is designated to develop the creatures on the still, vegetative, animate, and speaking levels so that they would come to need the correct fulfillment and well-being. In the end, one way or another, everyone feels a need due to the lack of a good, fulfilled state of existence.

All of this is necessary in order to complete the picture by correcting the breaking. After all, everything is caused by the lack of unity or absence of Light in the vessel. As soon as we begin correcting the Kli, the Creator becomes revealed to us, and then, following the speaking level, all of the other levels ascend, breaking free from misfortunes and problems.

We are being trained by the suffering sent from Above, until we start correcting ourselves. And there is no one to blame for this except the program of creation. Why then must we suffer on the path to love? Truth said, in the beginning the will to receive (desire) has to feel that it’s empty, and only then will it experience the fulfillment. Herein a question arises: If the Creator has prepared eternal pleasure for me, does it mean I must feel infinite suffering first? In that case, I’d rather remain a beast.

However, in reality, we start slowly and move forward in stages, time after time correcting and filling a new layer of our desire with Light. None of us would be able to bear the feeling of the dark infinite void. We are given the exact portion of what we can bear, going forth slowly and gently. This “feet dragging” is necessary precisely because we are unable to take a lot in at once. The breaking is being revealed to us drop by drop, according to our capacity.
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From the lesson on 10/22/10, Rabash’s Articles

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