Entries in the 'Group Work' Category

The Primary Concern

laitman_572_03Question: Can I assume that the unity of our total awe, our common fears, into one single fear creates the Creator among us?

Answer: Our fears—even better to say, anxiety—does not create the Creator, but the precondition for His revelation.

Fear is what we call concern for our material existence, but anxiety is a condition that is above our physical life, when I am in awe as to whether I will have an opportunity to exist in the property of bestowal. My concern is not even about that because it is also somewhat egoistic, but so that my awe serves as an opportunity for the Light to pass through me to others, as through the transfer channel.

The concern as to whether I can be a conduit for the Light to all the rest of the world is the correct awe. If a person imagines everything all the time in this way, then he is already close to a good state, connecting with others in one intention. Then, we have an ability to become a wide channel for passing the Light, a vessel in which we will feel the Creator.

Therefore, I am constantly in awe as to whether I will be able to pass through myself all that good, all that correction, which the Creator wants to produce in the whole of humanity. I want to be just a means for the movement of forces for correcting others.
[145618]
From the Convention in St. Petersburg “Day One” 9/19/14, Workshop 1

Related Material:
The Parameter For The Equivalence Of Form To The Creator
The Fear That Replaces All Fears
Primordial Fear

A Drive For Correction Of The Network

laitman_281_02Question: Our sick friend becomes a trigger so that we will unite in a connected network of webs. What can become a trigger like this in everyday life when we are immersed in learning and even in active dissemination, this all gradually becomes routine?

Answer: We must be connected between us all the time and understand that it is specifically through this that we feel the web of connection. Our points that are found in the connections of this system are compulsory only so that we can nullify ourselves for the sake of the entire network of webs, for the sake of our unity.

This is because the web is the characteristic of bestowal, and the connections (the small intersections) we are in are our egoistic spheres. So, all of the work is directed outside of us, which means that it is realized in the webs themselves.

How can we awaken ourselves? As a general rule, the most fruitful and useful means is dissemination. You then invite uncorrected and completely new desires upon yourself and try to work for their sake.

Imagine that when you are in these webs, you are linked with a few more “links” that are working incorrectly, swallowing energy, without giving it to others, are in confused states. You try to take their desires and intentions, and somehow adjust, correct, and help them approach the awareness of their mission.

With this, you are carrying out useful work for the entire system. Through your participation, you apparently balance the incorrect work of the rest of the parts and create additional links between you and between those people whom you connected to yourself.

So, I always say that our dissemination is the greatest drive and incentive for correction of the network.
[145563]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/8/14, Shamati #5

Related Material:
Curing An Element Of The General System
Sparks Of The Light Of Bestowal
Transplant Of My Soul

Resonating With The General System

laitman_276_02Question: On the one hand, it says that I am glad when the wicked are revealed in me and that it is a good sign. On the other hand, if we see the problems that are revealed, it is an indication of our flaws and defects.

How does this dualism go together? Are the problems that we see a sign of good or bad work, or should the assessment of our work be different?

Answer: It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally.

The point is that we are in a big system and cannot say definitely that if I act properly, everything will be alright and nothing will happen to me. On the contrary, when we act properly, we prepare ourselves for advancing in some way.

Our advancement is along three lines: the left line, the right line, and the middle line. The middle line doesn’t exist, and we actually choose it by the maximal and optimal integration of the left and the right lines. Thus, no matter what we are given from above, we must accept it as the right action from above.

It is because the system always responds in the most optimal manner toward its next state. However, it takes into account only our general state and not anyone’s individual state, neither yours nor mine.

Therefore, you cannot say that if you behaved properly,then your next step will be smooth. Why do you suddenly encounter such problems? However, whom else should they be sent to but you since you are ready for them. You are so healthy and so ready, and so ten more tons are loaded on you. Beside you, there is a small, weak egoist. So, what can be done with him?

This is the reason that we must advance with the intention external to me for the Creator, and ignore what I am given, thanking equally for the goodness and for the evil no matter what state we are in. This should be our lighthouse.

We shouldn’t think that if we encounter a serious problem it means that we haven’t acted properly. It can be the opposite that, as a result of behaving properly and being so serious and responsible, this mountain now has fallen on you, since you are the one who can carry it forward.

We shouldn’t relate to what we do and what we receive in return in a one-sided manner. We see this in all the examples in the Torah. It is because we constantly are working toward correction.

The best advice that Kabbalists give us is to close our eyes and advance by blessing everything. Whatever happens to you at any given moment is given to you by the general system for your optimal advancement. You should try to resonate with it.
[145469]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/8/14, Shamati #5

Related Material:
A Step Forward
As Fast As Possible
Don’t Resist Change

The Signs Of High Quality Work

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: Do we have to increase the number of friends who actively participate in this system when we transcend to a new qualitative level of the connections between us?

Answer: No. What is most important is to actually improve the quality of our work to maximum incorporation, unity, and understanding of each other and each one’s maximal control as to how strongly he is connected to others.

I have to feel the inner vibes of each one in order to ensure their successes and their basic corporeal well being. I have to worry about them, which means to worry about them on all levels and to feel to what extent we are one body. The most important thing is for me to lose myself among them. If this concerns me, it means that positive changes are already taking place inside me.
[145462]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/08/14, Shamati #5

Related Material:
Curing An Element Of The General System
Our Connection Matters Most
Quality Is What’s Important

Curing An Element Of The General System

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: Now we all are rallying around a sick friend. This is evident: thousands of people, men and women thinking and worrying about him. Together with this external expression there is also great internal work that is similar to a prayer in a way because it is very easy for us to hold on to this thought.

Answer: We affect the system we are in by our desires and our intention. All of mankind, everything that is on this planet and beyond it in different forms are elements of this system.

Thus we insert a special signal into it that is focused on one of the elements returning to its minimal balanced human existence. We affect the system this way so that it will have a positive effect on our sick friend. This is a very strong signal. If we keep on working this way, we will see an amazing outcome.

We don’t know and are not aware of the whole system, its plan, and its intentions. We don’t know each one’s fate, meaning each one’s role in this system, but generally speaking, we have to affect it as much as we can so that our friend will be equal to us.

We have to feel the problems of all the others and totally annul them so that we will have no more corporeal or spiritual problems other than attaining complete harmony among us since we are the only ones who are disturbing the harmony of the whole system. This is the reason that we have to summon this state in which the influence of the upper force that operates it is clearly revealed.

The system itself cannot reveal the upper force in it since we are its corrupt element. We have to spur the positive forces that will affect and correct us (in this case, our friend) to match the general harmony. Then we will feel the nourishing upper force in this system that evokes and directs it (the Creator). If we bring the whole system to the state in which the Creator is revealed, then through it we will be able to be in full connection with Him.

Thus our friend is an element that invokes us so that we will connect more strongly among us so that our desires and demands of the Creator, of the whole system, will be collective, identical, and accurately focused. Thus through him we learn how to be connected.

I hope that eventually we will see that he fully recovers. It depends only on our efforts.
[145455]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/08/14, Shamati #5

Related Material:
The Signs Of High Quality Work
Our Connection Matters Most
Quality Is What’s Important

A Roof That Shelters From Current and Rain

laitman_940Rabash, Letter 36: The matter of S’chach (the covering of the Sukkah) which is called shade is made of the waste of barn and winery. This is the matter that we refer to in our prayer in the Sukkah, “to shelter from current and rain,” which means that a person’s faith saves him from all the damagers. It is because the matter of damagers is the matter of strange thoughts and strange ideas and faith is actually built on such waste materials and only that way is it a shelter from current and rain, since otherwise a person is drawn by the current of this world.

We have to find and attain this state each time when it doesn’t matter to our mind and heart, which means that the “waste of barn and winery” (barn refers to the heart and winery to the mind). These waste materials become so important to us that we raise them above reason by ascending above our thoughts and desires of in order to receive, we work above them and thus build the S’chach (roof) of the Sukkah which saves us from the currents. It seems that these currents come along as if to fail and to weaken us, but in fact they are sent only in order to force us to strengthen the roof of the Sukkah.

Question: Isn’t it dangerous to start behaving like a smart-aleck instead of feeling?

Answer: Of course you have to be smart, but if you examine others with your feelings (heart and your mind) you will surely come up with the wrong answer, because these tools are invalid. Before a person becomes a neutral judge, he cannot examine and assess anything. It isn’t by chance that “Themis” (Lady Justice) judges with her eyes blindfolded.

A judge should be neutral, which means above his own thoughts and desires. He should know how to manage himself or in other words how to be in vessels of bestowal. Only then is it possible to say that such a person can investigate and clarify what is going on, because a judge only has what his eyes can see.

The reason for all the failures in the world is actually because people think that they can be objective. But where can such an objective approach come from if the world is totally immersed in its ego.

Being in a strong group of ten we investigate, clarify things, and make decisions by discussing things among us and trying to ascend together, we begin to look at different phenomena through the prism of the group of ten. This is serious research, although each of us is not yet corrected. But trying to see things through the group of ten helps us advance and brings us closer to the right answer.
[145324]
From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/10/14, Writings of Rabash

Related Material:
“I Sat Down Under His Shadow With Great Delight…”
Waste Of Barn And Winery
Let Us Meet In The Sukkah Of Peace

See The Friends As Higher

laitman_527Question: Practically, how is it possible to try to ask for Light for the friends in a group of ten? Must I imagine them as miserable and try to transform them into being happy, or is it preferable to imagine them as uncorrected and ask for the Light of correction for them?

Answer: The right mutual relationships are shaped in a group when for me all of the friends in a group become exalted spiritual creatures, completely corrected people. I look at the friends through my ego so I see them negatively, with a multitude of deficiencies. If I were to correct myself, then I would see them as complete.

So I adhere to them and constantly try to work with them only for the purpose of bestowal. This is not because they need this, for in fact they are complete. Rather it is because if I try to help them with everything even though they don’t need any of this, because, after, all I am looking at them with my ego, then I will also advance towards them.

I must pray for them, ask for them, and follow them in everything, dissolving in what they say. First and foremost, this is a full nullification of myself in regard to the others. And it is completely unimportant who they are and what they are.

There were new students, small and limited with the great Kabbalist, Rabbi Yosi ben Kisma. But he saw their inner state and could humble himself in regard to them; he could feel them as being higher than himself. So he advanced forward. We must also do the same thing. We are not yet on the level of the great Rabbi Yosi, so it is much easier for us to do this.

But in no way should you allow any criticism! On the contrary, everything is done only to make it possible for me to make myself into the characteristic of bestowal. And then I will feel that the whole world was created for me.

We must concentrate only on this, so that with intellect and heart, with thoughts and desires to be with my group of ten, I try to create one thought and one desire in it, as one person with one heart. Try to reach a state like this and you will see what it carries within it.

You will begin to feel completely different characteristics and laws. This will be like a feeling from the start of a higher state, of the upper world. Switching the laws between us is correct; this is the spiritual world. Within it we begin to feel a completely different plane, a different dimension.

[144604]
From the Convention In St. Petersburg 9/18/14, Preparatory Lesson 2

Related Material:
Giving Yourself To Others
Variations And Spiritual Transitions
Dissolve Into The Friends

Ego That Is Squeezed Out Like Lemon Juice

laitman_933A few years ago, if you were to hear from me about the evil of the ego, you would think that I was simply preaching morality to you. Now that a connection has been created between us, this feeling of dependence upon your ego has been handed over to you. Soon, you will begin to feel that it is really tiresome for you to be a slave of Pharaoh and to serve him.

After this, the prophecies and movements will begin as they did with Moses, “Come to Pharaoh,” and everything will continue to happen just like in the story. You will feel how Pharaoh puts pressure on the people of Israel, loading more and more work on them. The ego brings evil to you; life will go on without benefit. All of the fruits of your work will go to Pharaoh. Everything will be swallowed up by him, and as much as you try to correct something nothing will come of it for you.

In principle, you would want a little revitalization to make your soul happy, but nothing works. A little later, the crisis will appear everywhere, even in America and in Europe. However, it is possible that it won’t come to such a state. Instead, you will do all scrutiny in emotion and intellect, and not in coarse material. The problem is that people don’t hear the warnings.

It is possible to depart from the ego without waiting for the plagues of Egypt by developing the heart and mind. But in any case, this takes time, and it is not just a few waves that will pass over you because it is impossible to overcome the ego through one wave. One big wave would drown you so it is divided into several small waves.

Here, patience is required, but it means that you have to arm yourself with all the means at your disposal: connection with friends, with the teacher, along with the study and dissemination. Then, it becomes possible to hasten time very greatly.

Question: It is terrible to discover that someone always is cheating you and striking you, and you don’t even feel that this ego is living in you as a part of yourself. Why don’t they let us see it so that we can ask to be free of it?

Answer: You could ask, but this wouldn’t help you because this would be an egoistic request. You want to see the wretch who deceives you all of your life and destroy him? However, this will work only when you ask for this in order to reach the Creator. Then, you will be shown this wretch, otherwise, no.

Moses, the “point in the heart,” must come to Pharaoh and close accounts with him. Otherwise, you are acting for the sake of your own benefit because you want to be released from difficult work, from whomever is deceiving you.

A substantial reaction is required as in a chemical experiment that makes it possible to examine the composition that is filtered and separated it into several components. If you want to discover and see the truth in Egypt, it is possible only if you try to become a single whole with the group. Then, you will begin to feel what it means to go against Pharaoh. While still in Egypt, a reaction or mechanism will appear within you that will make it possible to differentiate and clarify where Pharaoh is and where is that which is above him.

This is because you never work directly regarding the Creator. In Egypt, this is not possible at all. So, you work in relation to the group, which is called the “people of Israel.” Begin to connect all of your friends in Egypt, which is, today, what all of this world is called, and then you will see where the power of Klipa is and where the Kedusha is, where Pharaoh is and where he isn’t.

Pharaoh is everything that disturbs unity. So, you will discover him more and more until the ten plagues of Egypt, and all of these plagues are relevant to the increasing connection. Ultimately, you will understand that you must leave Egypt.

However, this is possible only through such a connection where you squeeze all of the Pharaoh out of the group like lemon juice. All of the ego will ooze out, and only the group will remain. Then, this group must be filled with the power of bestowal, something that is impossible to do in Egypt, and so it departs from there.

All of the work is done only on the connection. It is impossible to work directly against Pharaoh. You can only summon blows upon him through a connection with the friends. The ten plagues correspond to the ten Sefirot. By rising higher and higher, from Sefira to Sefira, to a greater and greater intensity of connection, you summon the Upper Light to act and influence Pharaoh and filter the ego.
[145255]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/8/14, “Sukkot”

Related Material:
On The Right Track Thanks To Pharaoh
In The Future State, We Are Free
Tell Me What You Want!

In Pairs Or In A Group Of Ten?

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: When we work in a group of ten, it seems that we are restrained because we are ashamed to reveal some things. In a relationship between two friends, we act with greater freedom.

Answer: It is not about freedom. Rather, in the meantime, there is no other structure through which it is possible to feel the next level before even entering it. It is discovered very sharply and suddenly, as a result of gathering immense internal potential.

Essentially, you are building yourselves. In the connection between you, you begin to acquire some new sensations, habits, characteristics, and intelligence, and to discover all kinds of different feelings. In this way, even before entering the upper world, you build within yourselves a system of consciousness and the perception of it.

When a person proceeds alone, everything happens differently. Today our world is moving in a different direction, only in the form of a group! If there is no group, it is very difficult to work in pairs, and it is even more difficult to work as a pair with the teacher. It is difficult because you begin to abuse him, belittling him and relating to him as a parent. In general, this is how we relate to parents, as if they owe us something.

My teacher, Rabash, had a similar situation. He told me how difficult it was for him to nullify himself constantly toward his father. So, it is also difficult to nullify yourself toward the teacher if you learn with him in a pair. This is called  student–friend, and this is not easy.

So, be thankful, and consider yourself blessed that you have a group.
[145000]
From the Convention In St. Petersburg “Day Two” 9/20/14, Lesson 3

Related Material:
Like My Ten Fingers
Two People Is Also A “Group Of Ten”
Let’s Share The Work

Going Through The Ten Plagues Of Egypt

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: The path of the ten plagues of Egypt is actually the path of suffering. Is it possible to bypass them and avoid them, or is it impossible to avoid them even if I focus on love and bestowal toward my group of ten, the people who are close to me, and the teacher?

Answer: It depends on the person who follows the spiritual path. If he identifies with the forces of Egypt and with Pharaoh, he surely suffers. However, if he identifies with working above reason and ascending above it, his ego suffers, but he doesn’t identify with his ego and so he doesn’t suffer.

The time of the spiritual development is called the plagues of Egypt, which means the plagues that the ego feels that help a person rise above it. However, if he is in his ego, they force him to rise.

It all depends on to whom you compare your position.

Question: Do the plagues of Egypt reflect a certain state that we go through?

Answer: We must process and practice together to the fullest, everything that is written in the Torah! You will see that we cannot miss even one step. There may be levels that I have gone through but did not realize it, then ten years later, as often happens in life, I begin to realize what I went throug and what these actions and circumstances were.

Question: This means that we have no chance of skipping any of the plagues?

Answer: What for? How can you detach from your ego if you don’t go through all the ten plagues? You will not have a whole vessel, a vessel of ten Sefirot.
[144947]
From the Convention In St. Petersburg “Day Two” 9/20/14, Lesson 3

Related Material:
The Work In The Exile In Egypt
Plagues For The Sake Of Future Life
Forward Towards The Dark