Question: In the past, a leader was chosen based on how truthful his promises came across, his charisma, courage, determination in decision-making, and only then on how he leads state affairs, how he deals with unemployment, people’s incomes, and so on.

Business psychologists raised the question: what will happen in the post-coronavirus period? Will our vision of leadership talent mature to be based on concern for people’s well-being? What do you think future leaders will be like?

Answer: The leader of the future is a person who understands how to bring people together. That is all. Nothing else. But we need a small note here: this is not like Mao, Lenin, or Trotsky who would get up on an armored truck and inspire people. There were such great inspirational personalities.

The fact is that you need a person who sets a goal not to defeat someone at another’s expense, but to unite absolutely everyone. This is a problem because we are always competing against someone.

This cannot happen here. We are all together against our nature, our essence, our beloved egoism. A leader must know the genuine nature of the world, and how we can deal with this nature. Or rather, how not to deal with it. Otherwise, how can he be a leader if he does not understand what he is dealing with?

He must fully grasp and feel nature, its altruism, its self-enclosed finite nature, and its value. He should understand that man must come to achieve a complete similarity with nature through unity with each other, what is called adhesion with it, how to achieve this, what kind of forces, his connection with nature should help him in this.

Our nature is egoistic, but the environment is altruistic. So, I have to change myself from an egoist to an altruist in connection with other people. So, when we all remake ourselves in this way, we will become like the general nature of the world—altruistic. This is what we must achieve.

This is not a high hurdle; this is nature setting this bar for us. It will definitely happen! You will see within a few months how the world will begin to move toward this.

The leader will have to offer the world a method of uniting all of humanity. He must strive for this. There can be no other way.
[269758]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 7/13/20

Related Material:
Leadership In The New Era
Leaders Of The New Century
The Difficult Path Of Humanity

Filed under: Crisis, Education, Globalization, Health, News - No Comments →

My new article on Linkedin “A Nature Made Hiatus”

A new year is a great time for reflection. These days, as a new year begins according to the Hebrew calendar, I think we should reflect on what Covid-19 has meant for us as a society. Where were we going? Right up to the outbreak, the international tensions were rising to such levels that everyone tacitly agreed that a huge war was going to break out. America vs. China, Russia vs. America, North Korea vs. America, Pakistan vs. India (both nuclear powers), regional and global conflicts were threatening to erupt the world over. The virus forced it all to stop. It gave us a hiatus, a chance to reroute.

The pandemic, unprecedented fires, insane hurricane season, street and domestic violence, racial and social tensions, and all the other blows that have landed on us this year indicate that we are facing a systemic shift. But they have saved us from ourselves.

The coronavirus showed us also how quickly nature recovers if we only leave it alone. For a few weeks, we witnessed a recovery of wildlife that we’ve never seen before and didn’t think was possible. But as soon as the closures were eased, we resumed our gluttony, as if saying “Nature can wait.”

The pandemic, unprecedented fires, insane hurricane season, street and domestic violence, racial and social tensions, and all the other blows that have landed on us this year indicate that we are facing a systemic shift. But they have saved us from ourselves. Whatever harms the disasters have caused, they are far less than what we would have, and will cause ourselves with our total alienation and abusive attitude toward nature and toward people. We were on the brink, and nature pulled us back from the edge.

I hope it does not let us go there again, and I hope we will finally understand that we have to stop and think about our lives. Nature has stopped our rat-race, but we have to ask why. If we do that, then we can build a great life together. If we don’t then either nature will continue to restrain us through increasingly painful blows, or we will destroy ourselves and much of the planet along with us.

Filed under: Coronavirus, Crisis, New Publications - No Comments →

Medium published my new article “Blazes of Hate Are Hotter than Fire”

Somehow, the blazes on the West Coast, which have by now spread across the western half of the US from Montana to Texas, seem to have toned down the heated election bickering, the hopeless battle against Covid-19, and even the tragedy that this hurricane season is unleashing in the states along the Gulf of Mexico. But unless we realize that the blazes, the storms, the virus, the racial tensions, and the violence on America’s streets and in American homes come from the same source, things will only get worse, as hard as it may be to imagine.

The hatred in the hearts of too many Americans today is hotter than the blazes that are burning down the country’s most beautiful sceneries. It is setting off storms, setting the streets on fire, and pitting people against each other. Until the fire in the hearts of Americans is put out, the country will continue to fall apart.

A viewer on my Facebook page asked with resentment, “Do you pray for her (America)? Do you pray for your neighbors?” She resented what sounded like admonition and felt as though I didn’t care. I understand why she would feel that way, but the truth is quite the opposite. Since 2002, I have taken at least four long tours from coast to coast elaborating on the future that I saw for America in general, and for American Jews in particular. During all of them, my warnings were met with mockery and condescension. It didn’t stop me from trying over and over. And when I wouldn’t tour, I would write or talk about it — on my own social media pages and on every outlet that would publish my cautions. I am still doing it. Are these the actions of someone who doesn’t care? Would someone who didn’t care go out of his way, invest money, and face derision and accusations that he is unrealistic?

Even now that my warnings are coming true, some Americans choose to focus on the tone of my words rather than on their own actions. Instead of seeing that I am saying now what I have been saying for the past two decades, and that my only aim is to warn them and suggest what I believe will help them, they pick at my choice of words. It would be much more helpful to them if they looked into their own hearts and examined how they feel about each other, since this is the heart of the problem.

This is the truth. I could choose to sweet talk my readers and be a popular person, but that would not be an act of love; it would be fawning in order to win fame or money. Worse yet, it would not give my English speaking readers anything valuable to help them with the mounting crises. My gift was then what it is now: the truth. If you’ve got a blister, burst it while it’s small. It always hurts the least.
So now you know I do pray for America, and my prayer is always the same: that Americans will know the truth and have the strength and courage to act accordingly.

The hatred in the hearts of too many Americans today is hotter than the blazes that are burning down the country’s most beautiful sceneries. It is setting off storms, setting the streets on fire, and pitting people against each other. Until the fire in the hearts of Americans is put out, the country will continue to fall apart.

In the squabbles and arguments over who is right, everybody’s wrong. The only right answer is that quarrels are made in order to rise above them and make peace. Differences are made in order to help us grow up and see more views. As long as we do not understand that we cannot win the social war unless both sides unite above their hatred, and that hatred itself is the only real enemy, the troubles will keep coming faster and more intense.

This is true for America as it is true for everywhere else. But right now, America is burning, drowning, dying by gunfire, and filling its hospitals with Covid patients. And since Americans are aching, my heart goes out to them. I pray for them and wish them the best: to see the truth and to have the courage to unite above hatred.
[271154]

Filed under: Crisis, New Publications - No Comments →

Question: The quotation attributed to Buddha, “If you truly love yourself, you would never harm another,” seems to be a simple wisdom. What can you say about it?

Answer: If you really love yourself and understand what kind of world you live in, the integral world, how much it is all interconnected, then you will not harm others because in this way you indirectly harm yourself.

Question: Why did you just connect “love yourself” with “the integral world”? After all, to love oneself is an egoistic desire.

Answer: But if the world is integral and you influence the world negatively, then it comes back to you.

Question: That is, I feel that it comes back to me? So if I love myself, then I will not do evil to another person because it will return to me?

Answer: Yes. If the world is integral, then harming oneself or others are one and the same thing.

Question: And in loving myself I still do evil to another person?

Answer: I also harm myself this way.

Question: Does this mean that everything comes back? Does the boomerang effect exist?

Answer: Because the world is closed. It is round.

Question:  What do you have to say about another quotation attributed to Buddha: “Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.”

Answer: In principle, this is also true.

Question: So I should be grateful no matter what I have. Even if I am in the worst condition, I should still rise to the level of gratitude?

Answer: Gratitude is a prerequisite for receiving the feeling of happiness, the feeling of the light.

Question: How can I be grateful if I feel so bad? It is just impossible!

Answer: It depends on your perception of the world. Why is it so bad? Try to raise yourself anyway.

Question: Even in this state, I am obliged to reach gratitude?

Answer: Gratitude must be present in any state. Even a second before death.

Question: Do all prayers begin with gratitude?

Answer: Of course. And if there is no such attitude, then to whom do you pray?

Question: The state is high, of course! So whatever my condition is, I first give thanks?

Answer: Yes. But this is because you divide yourself into two parts: dark and light, suffering and thanksgiving.
[270413]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 6/15/20

Related Material:
Comprehend Love Of Others Through Love Of Oneself
Gratitude For The Past Prepares For The Future
It All Starts With Gratitude

Filed under: Children, Crisis, Education, Globalization, News - No Comments →

Question: After reading your books, I realized that you are not a socialist and you are not going to take property from the rich. But why would the rich start to pay scholarships for 80% of the population for their studies?

Answer: Naturally, such a gesture on the part of the rich cannot be voluntary at first. But, like during the revolution, these things are dictated by necessity. One person cannot have a billion while another does not have enough money until the end of the week to feed his family. This is a clear imbalance. Therefore, it will be necessary to balance these relations.

At first, it is necessary to force our relationship to a completely different structure—what is “money – commodity – money”?

As a result, a law must be adopted according to which everyone will receive a certain quantity of funds necessary for him, sufficient for a dignified existence. This will be accompanied by a commitment to work for the community in accordance with the capabilities of the individual and at the same time receive training in proper parenting.
[270514]
From KabTV’s “The Post-Coronavirus Era” 6/4/20

Related Material:
To Change The Paradigm Of Life
Will People Lose Their Desire To Be Rich?
The End Of The Era Of Consumption

Filed under: Crisis, Economy, Globalization, Society - No Comments →

Question: How would you explain the expression from the Torah, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread”?

Answer: The Torah refers not to the corporeal, but to the spiritual component of the work. In order to correct our egoism and make a person into a social element, which considers the connection of society and the similarity with integral nature as one of the highest values, we will have to work very seriously and deeply on ourselves.

The work here is not limited by anything, and we must do it. Its implementation will determine the state of humanity in the new era.

Question: Does “In the sweat of thy face” mean the inner work of a person with his egoism? Not to use other people for one’s own benefit?

Answer: Yes. And not only that.

Question: What is “shalt thou eat bread?”

Answer: Bread symbolizes the quality of bestowal, something we must procure. However, it is very difficult to procure this quality.

Question: Do I, at the same time, receive pleasure from bestowing to others?

Answer: From the fact that you are bestowing, because you feel that society needs you, you take care of society. All this is our task and our work.

Question: Does it mean that we need to work hard on our egoism in order to receive pleasure from bestowing to people?

Answer: Yes, but not for the sake of receiving pleasure.
[270730]
From KabTV’s “The Post-Coronavirus Era” 6/4/20

Related Material:
Bread-Offering Gift
Unleavened Bread
Bringing A Sacrifice Is Getting Closer To The Creator

Filed under: Crisis, Globalization, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

The Creator obliges us to follow the program of creation, and therefore shows us that it is bad to remain separated from each other. But how can He show us that it is bad?

Only at the expense of suffering, otherwise we will not understand that separation is evil. Therefore, the Creator is forced to attach some unpleasant event to our separation so we can start feeling it.

We need to feel through the coronavirus pandemic that we are in trouble because of our separation. We need to link our physical and mental states together. The fact that we are so far from each other mentally and do not feel how beautiful the connection is, is the cause of all the misfortunes that have happened to us. The virus itself is not so terrible, but because it covers the whole world, it paralyzes all our lives. If it had hit a single country, it would not have attracted such attention.

But since it comes from a completely different level, from the global spiritual force around the entire globe, from the spiritual state, from the program of the end of the global correction, it awakens a very special attitude toward itself and plunges everyone into confusion and perplexity.

Scientists can’t come up with a solution, and there’s no hope of a vaccine coming soon. This epidemic is unlike any previous ones, which were more local, not aimed at correcting the last generation, and did not come from a common force called Mashiach that acts on all of humanity. This is the first time we have encountered it.

This is why such measures are being taken. After all, why does it seem necessary to stop all industry around the world, destroy the economies of all the countries, and radically change the entire lives of people just because of some virus? And if there was a war that would have killed millions, it would not have stopped, people would have continued to fight. Why are we stopping our lives because of the coronavirus?

It is because this power comes from the upper level—from where we are already connected together. And this power comes to show us that we have to connect here in this world.

Therefore, we don’t understand it and are perplexed. Gradually, we will start listening to the way the Creator is teaching us, and begin to understand how He treats us and what He wants from us.

Through this, we will hear the voice of the Creator, feel His actions, and be able to respond to them. We will get closer to each other and immediately see the epidemic abating. And then we will fall back into our egoism, and the epidemic will return.

In this way, we will get closer and drift apart, like a child who climbs into his father’s arms, then runs away from him, then gets scared of a dog and asks to be picked up again. In the same way, the Creator teaches us how to always strive to connect with Him.

The only difference between this world and the spiritual world is in who rules: me or the Creator. It is to this change of power that the pandemic should push us.

The Creator takes into account the global correction of the entire world: He thinks about the future of humanity, connecting all in one Kli and filling it with the upper light. We have already reached the home stretch of correction—the Creator is not very hidden.

It is us who cannot reveal Him, and He does not hide, influencing us from our connection. And so we feel a global blow to everyone, not somewhere more, somewhere less, but everywhere. After all, we are already on the home stretch and we only need to reach the finish line: the global connection.
[270788]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 9/13/20, “Work With Faith Above Reason”

Related Material:
Cracks In The Heart
Viruses Instead Of The Creator
The World Is Turning To Us With The Other Side

Filed under: Crisis, Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Globalization, Health, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Remark: The coronavirus and the pandemic associated with it are changing the habits, guidelines, and priorities of society. As a result, this has an impact on all spheres of business, including fashion. At Paris fashion week, one of the brands presented its collection on a barge that went down the Seine. It could have been observed from the Eiffel Tower and from different sides.

Dior has released a collection for dolls, and if customers want to buy something, then it will be reproduced in full size.

Another luxury brand has created a collection that matches the current conditions. Its couturier says that it is most likely a house dress or nightgown that now corresponds to the current time.

My Comment: Very good This is the most needed.

Question: What does a person convey through clothing from the point of view of Kabbalah?

Answer: His inner world, his inner attitude to the meaning of the world, to the meaning of life.

Question: What values should we pass on to each other so that we do not depend on clothing, its cost, labels, and so on?

Answer: With the help of the clothing, we have to convey our aspiration for unity, for a beautiful, simple connection between people above our egoism, for all people around to feel that I relate to them well, kindly, and they could see it in my clothes.

That is, the clothes should not be provocative, but endearing, drawing something compassionate to me. It is possible to check how children relate to it, whether they want to stroke it, press their cheek to it.

Question: What kind of fashion should be introduced for this to appear and develop between people?

Answer: Fashion for a smile. No outfits, no epaulets, or anything else can replace this. There should be a friendly smile. Not a leer.

Question: What information should the clothes convey to other people?

Answer: They should convey the good message of a person.
[270472]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 7/27/20

Related Material:
The Future Of High Fashion?
We “Outgrew” Clothes
Black Friday, Part 1

Filed under: Coronavirus, Crisis, Globalization, Health, News - No Comments →

Question: In business, income is built on the fact that everyone is trying to use others to make the most for their own super-profits. Therefore, there is practically no place for an honest person in a business.
What should a business be like to confirm with the laws of nature?

Answer: A business should be absolutely reciprocal when both partners understand that they cannot do without each other. Therefore, the material business should not be built on the fact that they come together, begin to deceive and steal from each other, and then quickly scatter.

And spiritual business is based on the fact that we unite and eventually form something more. And this is something larger. And this is something from which society can get the maximum benefit, and we want to offer it to society.

Question: What advice would you give to people who want to comply with the laws of nature?

Answer: To invest as much as possible in new education or in nurturing a new society.
[270461]
From KabTV’s “The Post-Coronavirus Era” 6/4/20

Related Material:
To Change The Paradigm Of Life
The End Of The Era Of Consumption
Business From Heart To Heart

Filed under: Crisis, Economy, Globalization, Society of the Future - No Comments →

Question: We see that every next generation strives more for freedom, breaks the limits of life’s restrictions, severs them. Where does this desire come from?

Answer: Each next generation does not break the previous framework, but simply cannot exist in it because the generation itself is different. It has different desires, different egoism, different priorities. Therefore, it cannot fulfill the conditions and restrictions that the previous generations performed with pleasure or with minimal energy.

Question: We see that the world is striving for greater interconnection. Integration is manifesting very strongly today. People move from place to place, privileges change, nations’ borders become more open. In nature, there are trends toward greater freedom and fewer limits. Is there any contradiction in this?

Answer: No. It is just that humanity is beginning to feel the next level of its development. Therefore, the previous framework no longer seems necessary.

We believe that the new generation does not want our conditions, our laws. It is simply created with such desires that can not comply with these conditions and feel them as necessary.
[269935]
From KabTV’s “Management Skills” 7/2/20

Related Material:
Escaping The Tight Confines Of Restrictions
How Do Generations Differ From Each Other?
Freedom Without Limits

Filed under: Crisis, Free Will, Globalization - No Comments →