Entries in the 'Perception' Category

The Perception Switch

Laitman_131Question: What, in your opinion, is the most difficult point of ascent to the revelation of the upper world for the beginner Kabbalist?

Answer: The biggest challenge, I would say, is the revolution in the understanding of myself and the world, that happens in me when I realize that the whole difference between this world and the upper world is only in my perception, my attitude towards the world:

When I relate to it naturally, as I was born, egoistically, the world that I perceive is called “this world.” And since all the people perceive it in this way, we call it “our world.”

When I treat the world as if it and I are the same thing, with love and with bestowal, then the world that I perceive and feel in this case is called “upper,” “spiritual,” and “future” with respect to my previous, past perception.

So, the understanding that there is only a “switch” of perception, and it is inside you: “The desires and thoughts for myself” is “this world,” and “the desires and thoughts for others” is “the upper world,” I consider this realization the most difficult in a person’s life. It is not that easy to picture this emotionally rather than mentally, to make it “yours,” and so it takes many years for a person, in my observations, decades.

We can easily and naturally imagine “another world” as existing outside of our world, the universe, or beyond the limits of our life, after death. It is natural to imagine it like the Earth, or in the form of other creatures and images, but not like what appears in my perception as the objects and people surrounding me, as my parts, as parts of me.

We cannot accept this even if we have repeatedly heard and read that the difference between the worlds is in our attitude towards the surroundings: towards myself – I feel this world, away from myself – I feel the upper world. We are so accustomed, rooted in the sensation of the surrounding world as a firm, unchangeable reality that we cannot imagine that everything depends on our attitude towards it.

Kabbalah says that I perceive the world inside me, and it does not exist outside of me. Hence, I “figured out” that I have to change only myself. To change myself means to not change my desires and qualities but my attitude towards the world, my intention, how to use it, that is, using myself and the environment towards myself (for myself) or away from myself (for the sake of others).

It took me a long time to form this switch within myself. But after you feel it as existing, you work with it, switching it from towards myself to away from myself becomes the only important thing in life. The real spiritual work starts from here: self-analysis and the action of correction.

Today, this revolution in consciousness happens in the whole world; everyone should feel this switch inside oneself, and since this realization occurs in masses, it will be relatively easy for each person.
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On The Ocean Of Wisdom

Laitman_083Cloud Storage?

Question: Recently, we hear more and more about how to communicate with higher powers, with the information field of the universe.

One of the modern approaches that promise such a communication channel is called “channeling.” It is based, by definition, on the concept of a higher reality with which we establish contact.

By analogy, we can refer to the example of cloud storage data with remote access to its content.

This opens up a rich field for imagination, a real “virgin land,” which is cultivated in front of us.

Dozens of books have been written on this subject and it has attracted considerable interest. Is there a grain of truth in it? Are there any “clouds” of a higher order? Can I enter the password and enter into a system of global knowledge?

Answer: The place where we exist, of course, contains a huge amount of knowledge. As we are developing, we connect to this “storage,” become fueled by it and get ahead in life.

At the same time, we discover something new for ourselves, what we did not know previously. But, from an objective point of view, these phenomena are not new. They have existed in nature since the formation of the Universe or the later stages of development. We do not invent novelties, but perceive what exists.

That is why Newton compared himself to a child who is playing on the seashore, “…I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.” Such is the measure of our knowledge of the universe. All our science is tiny attempts to communicate with the ocean of wisdom.

Tunnel Vision of Our Own Nature

In fact, we know almost nothing about ourselves; we do not know the mechanism of our perception of reality. We understand only that the picture that appears before our eyes is extremely limited by our senses.

This range is so narrow that even we cannot imagine qualitatively different sensations. We would like to expand the horizons, but, by its nature, we do not just need the “supplements,” like a dog does not need a fifth leg.

Sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch restrict me by their apparent sufficiency. As a result, I see a tiny fragment of the magnificent painting imbued with infinite frequencies and infinite information. Numerous “curtains” distort even this piece before it appears in my sensation.

In fact, it is not about external reality. When I see a tree in front of my eyes, my eyes perceive not even it, but the waves, the data of which passes within me through electrical and chemical “converters,” until they outline as the form that is called a “tree.” I have no idea what is outside, outside of me, and if there is something at all or that the “tree” is a part of me.

The theme of communication with certain forces or phenomena is full of unanswered questions. The problem is that there is nothing to investigate, nothing to discuss, because we are not able to be outside of our sense organs.

Therefore, “channeling” is what is called a “wild area,” where everyone can declare what he wants and no one’s correctness is provable “by definition.”

There have been many people searching for channels of communication with the higher forces. Compared with the previous periods of prosperity, today this sphere looks modest, but still it brings revenue.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/29/15

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The Angel Fights

laitman_628_3A Good Angel

Question: Is it possible to somehow “make” a “good angel” that will protect me?

Answer: Yes, you can do it if you start changing and establishing good relationships with others. In this case, you are activating “good angels,” which will be around you and you will be protected.

Question: How can I contact these “good angels”?

Answer:  This is your own strength. You find them inside yourself, replacing the negativity towards the others that is inherent within you.

Each of us comes from a broken vessel from the shattering of the “sin of the Tree of Knowledge.” That’s why we have 613 corrupt, selfish desires. We must re-build these desires to the best of our ability and improve them as much as possible.

So far, we are unable to identify, list, or find each base egoistic desire separately. However, with the help of the wisdom of Kabbalah, we can learn how to relate to each other in a positive friendly way.

Getting to Paradise

By acting so, you change your reality. In other words, all of a sudden we begin sensing that we live in a wonderful world, in real paradise! In order to get to paradise, we don’t have to die. A state of being in paradise doesn’t have anything to do with corporeal life or death. In order to get to the “Garden of Eden,” we have to recreate it ourselves. Each one of us is capable of doing so.

We must transform our bad, egoistic powers into bestowal. At least, we should try not to hurt our neighbors. Even though we are yet incapable of giving them our love, the state of “positive neutrality” allows us to rise to the level of paradise that in Kabbalah is called Bina, desire of mercy (Hafetz Hesed): I don’t need anything from anybody, nor do I want to hurt anybody.

Thus, I transform my “bad angels” to “good ones.” I am full of desires and thoughts that constantly come and go. I have to permanently maintain a major aspiration: converting my desires from evil to benevolent. At the same time, the scale of what’s good or bad should be based solely on my attitude to my neighbors.

In order to transform bad “angels” to good ones, meaning to re-orient our egoistic impulses and make them beneficial for others, we have to trigger the upper force. For that, we have to work in a special group of Kabbalists who interact with the Light since it is the force that changes our selfish urges from negative to positive.

Spiritual Firewall

Question: Is it possible to control a general system, “a network of angels”?

Answer: There are people who can easily influence you. They are capable of scaring you or using you in a certain way.

General systems in which we all are interconnected as one whole act this way. This phenomenon allows each person to impact others.

As an example, an elementary school teacher who has a big influence over his students can cause various sensations in them. He can either agitate or calm them down. It depends on the difference between the conditions he creates for them that in their eyes are either psychologically advantageous or disadvantageous. Generally speaking, we are talking about materialistic psychology. Kabbalah is its continuation.

Question: So, does it mean that I still have to be cautious of these things? Is there anybody out there who is capable of influencing the nodes in the general system that are directly connected with me?

Answer: Of course, there are people who by nature possess tremendous powers. We can bring totally negative examples such as Hitler or Stalin. Besides, some individuals really possess the ability to predict the future. Through them, the upper force activates a general historic process. They never act on their own. Moreover, they often feel that they are being used without having any freedom of will.

On the other hand, we can defend ourselves from evil influences by activating benevolent forces. In this case, we form a “protective shell” around us.

Our security depends on the degree of positivism we bring to others. No matter how much “poison,” hatred, or filth is around us, we remain out of their reach since we rise to the level of Hafetz Hesed and do not wish bad things to others. All we aspire to is bestowal. It is our “secure firewall.”
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/18/15

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laitman_232_05The Evil Eye of Egoism

Question: Can using the powers that are associated with the wisdom of Kabbalah be harmful in any way? Can we hurt anyone by implementing these powers, let’s say, “jinx or curse” anyone?

Answer: No, never! These forces are always benevolent. We want to become better and use positive energy to influence the Light’s system. The latter impacts us and corrects our ego.

If our intentions are bad, we won’t be capable of influencing the system of the Light since we are completely opposite to it. All we can do is mercenarily (selfishly) use the structure that is built-in us. Accordingly, if we use wicked, egoistic powers against the still, vegetative, and animate nature or people, our actions would be called “the evil eye.” Our desire to profit at the expense of others or simply to hurt someone is the real “curse.”

The wisdom of Kabbalah explains that there are two options:

  • We act to the detriment of others
  • We act for the benefit of others.

We implement the first option “by default”; a powerful negative desire can actually damage others. Let’s say, I want someone to feel bad. This desire activates my wicked connection and amplifies negative energy.

The Kingdom of Angels

Question: Let’s say, one person wants bad to happen to me, but another one wishes me good. What will come out of this?

Answer: The result depends on many factors, but they will have two kinds of effects on you, both good and bad at the same time. Events that take place in our lives are the results of the confrontation among numerous forces that act within a general network. These forces can be named differently, but often they are called “angels.” No matter how they are named, the essence remains the same.

It’s not about our belief in “guardian angels”; rather, it’s about the scientific study of actual forces that act in nature. The wisdom of Kabbalah explores them as other scientific disciplines study atomic structure, climate, etc. One way or the other, all sciences engage in exploring numerous forces.

So, an “angel” in Kabbalah is “a force.” For example, there is an “angel” who attracts objects to Earth. It is called gravity.

The forces of the still, vegetative, and animate nature, both material and spiritual, are called “angels” (Malachim). The word derives from “Malchut,” which means a specific power (a Kingdom). According to their functions, “angels” can be quite different. They have numerous titles including “demons” and “spirits.” All of them represent our properties and basic internal qualities.

A human soul is higher than angels. Thus, a human being (Adam) is higher than “angels” because people are capable of changing if they engage in self-correction and develop above their basic, built-in limitations.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/18/15

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How To Change The Entries In The Diary Of Life

laitman_526Question: There are unusual dreams that seem to pass some message to us. Is it possible to decipher these dreams?

Answer: I never gave importance to my dreams, nor did I try to remember what I dreamt about.

There are two types of people. The first type engages in thinking about the essence of life; others just live and that’s it. They are not worried about why they live and what the purpose of their existence is. Their motto is “live your life and then die”—as if there is nothing more to it. For these people, it is very important what will happen to them tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, in ten years… They are marionettes of blind destiny.

That’s why they feel that if they knew at least something about their future, they would be able to avoid harsh blows and change their destiny. The question is whether it is possible. If not, then it’s better not to know what waits for us in the future. Why would I worry about troubles that will take place three years from now?

I would love to hear good predictions. However, I can’t control my destiny. At the same time, “prophecies” that someone gives us can vary significantly. Usually, with years life doesn’t get better.

Only Kabbalists possess the tools that can change one’s fate. That’s why those who are engaged in Kabbalah don’t interpret prophetic dreams. At each given moment, Kabbalists make every possible effort to clarify how to better implement their time and calculate the purpose of their existence as well as what is the best and shortest way to attain it. That’s why their destiny is always in their hands; thus, their dreams do not matter.

Let’s say, tomorrow someone shows you the book of your life, like a diary, painted day by day. And you can read what will happen to you today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow… Is it good for you?

Comment: Of course! We are totally uncertain of what will happen to us tomorrow!

Answer: Lack of this kind of knowledge is good for us. The diary will contain records like “on Tuesday you’ll be reprimanded, on Wednesday you’ll be fired, on Thursday you’ll break your leg, on Friday your son will misbehave at school.” Our lives are comprised of things like this.

Why do you want to know these things in advance? If I knew today about the troubles that will happen to me in a week, a month, a year… how would I live? I’d be desperate. That’s why knowing our future is useless.

Conversely, it would be quite a different story if you had the power to change the entries in the diary and could write it yourself. This is what the wisdom of Kabbalah teaches us. It is the true key to our dreams.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/11/15

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Behind The Supernatural

laitman_207Witchcraft Forgery

Question: Our understanding of magic and witchcraft seriously expanded at the beginning of this era. Many people believe in or actively refute these issues. It confirms their interest in the topic.

How does the wisdom of Kabbalah relate to these issues? Can we implement benevolent, positive forces by using witchcraft or magic? Can we make our lives better with their help?

Answer: First of all, if not for the wisdom of Kabbalah, we would never have a modern-day understanding of what witchcraft or supernatural phenomena are. They are “borrowed” and then re-structured from the wisdom of Kabbalah and its exploration of how desires that represent the power of a human soul can be used.

The Network’s Enchantment

Let’s get to the point. We are interconnected with each other in a corrupt way. In general, our connection is pure egoism. As a result, evil forces generate the overall system of human relationships: Each one of us pursues personal benefit and doesn’t care about the society. We always try to take advantage of everything that surrounds us.

Humans are not to blame for being selfish since to begin with we are completely submerged in an egoistic nature. However, we are guilty of not using the wisdom of Kabbalah. The Jews should be remorseful more than others since we neglect the science of Kabbalah, whereas with the help of this wisdom we would be able to transform our connection from an evil network to a benevolent one.

According to Kabbalah, this is a positive way of using “supernatural powers,” i.e., transforming relationships between us from negative to positive. We cannot turn them “upside down” since it is an external system for us. Nowadays, the way we are connected make us treat each other quite poorly.

In order to change the current state of affairs and establish good relationships between all of us, we have to use a special force called “the Upper Force,” “the Creator,” “God,” or “Nature.” The impact of the force that we are trying to trigger in the wisdom of Kabbalah is called the “Light.”

It is said: “I created the evil inclination and I created the Torah as a spice.” In other words, egoism governs us; still there is a way to take advantage of the system that can correct our relationships. The power of the Light descends to our egoistic structure and improves it. As a result, a benevolent network appears among us.

This is exactly how we should use the wisdom of Kabbalah and the Torah, the essence of which lies in the principle “love thy neighbor as thyself,” i.e., creating benevolent relationships between all people.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/11/15

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The End Of Hypocrisy

Dr. Michael LaitmanContact with the World

Modern means of communication, including computers and smartphones, provide the ability to communicate with the global world. This completely changes my perspective, I can touch a variety of things as if I can influence them. I can contact anybody and learn anything I want.

I see the big world and my place in it. I find social circles in this general field and establish myself within them. People know me and I know them.

Forums are being created, communication groups, and dual-purpose platforms for work and leisure. I can even sit with someone in a virtual cafe. Perhaps my hobby is also implemented on this vast web.

Besides, it is cheap and I can afford things that previously were unfulfilled. For example, materials that I read or view during a week would cost me tens or even hundreds of dollars.

Now everything is available and accessible. It changes my perception of the world by gradually showing me that I am connected to the world and the world is connected to me.

Steps to the Truth

Another point is that while working with the interactive interface, we have less and less talking and listening. The main flow of information passes through the visual channel. In this I see the benefit of a person giving a higher weight to thought and thinking. After all, it operates in a virtual connection. Yes, we express our thoughts in words and symbols, but they are now more specific. We learn to express ourselves more clearly, and that is good.

Smartphones and computers have made our communication more direct and straightforward. This contributes to the wealth of information covering the whole spectrum, from the beautiful to the terrifying. We dropped the old fake covers and if you want, we can talk to each other without reserve, without scruple, without hypocrisy.

An LCD screen has become my window to the world, and at the same time, has taught me to be outspoken. The information that has been provided to all has become too available. A person on the Internet is bare, meaning one has thrown off the garments of lies, hypocrisy, and pretense. Politics, media, and family relationships are all unmasked and are free of fraud.

Thus, we have made a major breakthrough for the true essence. As it turns out, everyone lies, but that is where the truth exists. This understanding is very important. We learn who we are. Reset is the convention of the last century, rejected is the put-on etiquette. Today we are much more frank. The younger generation does what it wants without worrying about the opinions of others. And the older generation knows that it has no power over the younger generation.

To Get to the Bottom and Not Let Go

Question: If we have invented a good and useful technology, why does it lead us to the realization of evil? What is this evil?

Answer: The technology is good, but our nature is bad, egoistic. It divides and separates us in different directions. Online, we see our own image everywhere on our small and big screens as if in a mirror.

We are very close to the realization of evil inherent in our nature, in our state, and most importantly, in our inability to do something with it. While getting to the bottom of it, all the beauty of this moment is raising our hands and not letting them drop when we start looking for solutions coming not from us but from another source.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/20/15

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Access To The Fate Control Console

laitman_277Question: How do I get access to a console that controls the film of life?

Answer: It is necessary to rise above your egoism to where your thoughts, desires, forces, and actions all aimed at bestowal are and not towards their own benefit. A life at such a height requires that you make a restriction of your egoism and acquire an anti-egoistic screen, to enclose yourself with a shield, ensuring that you will never think about any action for your own sake. If you are protected against egoistic intentions, then you will be allowed to enter there.

Question: Whose benefit will I be thinking of if not about my own?

Answer: You will be thinking about the benefit of the whole overall program, its correct, good, and fast implementation for the good of all creatures. If you are going to dream about it, you will be able to come to it. After all, this is when you will be able to join the forces that are called “angels” actively participating in their work.

Question: Is it scary to reveal angels?

Answer: There is nothing to worry about. Angels are just a force, as if all of the powers of this world. You will learn to use them, and they will begin to listen to you. The forces of nature are called angels. The force of gravity is also an angel.

You come into the control room of all creation to participate in its management, along with all the other forces of nature for the benefit of humanity, promoting it to the desired goal. After entering there, you will be obliged to arm yourself with the power of love. Then you will use all available forces there for the benefit of all mankind.

Question: Do I get the power not only over my own destiny, but also the power over the fate of all the others?

Answer: You will not be interested in your personal destiny; you will take care of all of humanity, all souls. You will gain control of the entire program of creation in order to promote it by the Light that is directed towards the good development.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/11/15

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Don’t Be Afraid Of Fear And Helplessness

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: I had an encounter with people on the street not long ago in which there were many unexpected interferences and I found myself in a position of helplessness and despair. How can I focus directly on our goal and not circle around it?

Answer: This confusion was on purpose in order to bring you to deeper and deeper clarifications. This happens in every state, on every level and to every person. It happens to everyone.

Clarify this point and it will become clearer. Then you will encounter many more such situations and you will always feel helpless. The helplessness stems from the fact that it isn’t in your power to correct anything and that you are not in control of the situation, but this is actually a good thing. What you lack here is to hold on to the host and to be in contact with Him.

There is nothing you can but to continue. Everyone reaches such states and such discernments, and although you describe them nicely, you still have no contact with the upper Light. Even if you had such contact, there would still be disconnections so that you would be able to rise from one level to the next each time you feel helpless at a certain point a along the way.

It is just like King David wrote in the Book of Psalms: “You have hidden your face from me and I was frightened!” This is good since it shakes a person a little and takes the Klipot (shells) from him. When a person is in a state of fear, anxiety, insecurity, and disorientation, it is actually a good thing. We should see where it all comes from and how the Creator summons you to adhere to Him.
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From the preparation to the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/03/14

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We Cannot Live Without Sleep

Laitman_049_01Question: Is there any special meaning in our dreams?

Answer: Usually, dreams are connected with our prior experiences or with our secret, subconscious desires and goals that we don’t even suspect we have. However, there are dreams that disclose our future.

I remember once having a dream before taking a test. The dream vividly showed the situation that later happened in reality. Previously, I had an ability to foresee things. However, we are not capable of using this information, nor can we disclose this kind of knowledge to others. So, our passive revelations are useless.

You don’t have strength or desire to talk about this kind of information, as if it’s locked inside you. At some point, I foresaw what would happen to people near me as if I knew their lives scenarios. Still, I could tell them nothing. However, the things that I foresaw happened later.

Kabbalah doesn’t decipher dreams since they belong to materiality. Our body is just an “animal.” All animals see dreams. Small children constantly have dreams. Dreams help them grow.

Usually, our life consists of superficial, obvious, and habitual situations that bear no novelty whatsoever. All our days are alike. That’s why we see dreams that push us to our genuine, higher role in the future. Dreams promote our sensations and intelligence. They prepare us for the next stage.

Dreams help us cope with the states that are awaiting us in the future—our spiritual ascents. Without dreams, our life would be too monotonous and would resemble the lives of animals. We would live according to the routine: wake up in the morning, go to work, come back home, have dinner, watch a silly TV program, and go to bed. Nothing but that!

We can even say that in dreams people become connected by one common thought, one joint force, one desire, even though they are material in nature. This is how we grow.

That’s why little primitive creatures never sleep and can stay awake day and night. They only have seasonal cycles that are connected with yearly seasons. More complicated animals follow the same sleeping pattern as humans.

It is not accidental that we cannot live without sleep. After several sleepless nights a person loses one’s mind. Our brain is unable to function without a break for sleep. Why?

We have no other opportunity to transition from one state to another without separating them by a state of a sleep. This phenomenon can be explained in Kabbalah terms. The state of awakening is called “GAR” (the Upper part). In this state, we stay active and awake. We receive and bestow, exchange sensory and intellectual information with our surroundings.

However, in order to transition between active states, we need a sleep break. A sleeping state is the lower part of a step, called VAK. It is a state of disappearance of the Light of Hochma. It is a part of a larger state. It is not true that people turn into animals while they are asleep. They still are human beings in a state of a sleep. It doesn’t matter if we see dreams or not. The main thing is that dreams “go through” us.

That’s why we wake up all ready for a new day. Nature “prepares the tools” in us while we sleep that we will further need for fulfilling our next task.

It is not accidental that people sleep 8-10 hours a day. Those who sleep less than 6-7 hours, feel bad. Lack of enough sleep can become a spiritual obstacle. Sleep and dreams at night are purely a material phenomena that are a part of our egoism. There is nothing spiritual about them.

Question: Are we under the power of the egoism even when we are asleep?

Answer: Of course! Who else’s power? Our body, all its systems, are egoistic. Just because we fell asleep, it doesn’t mean that we are moving towards spirituality. It is impossible to suddenly acquire the property of bestowal and love of our neighbors. The fact that we don’t possess the quality of bestowal means that we still belong to this material world. The only difference between the materiality and spirituality is intention: whether we act for our own sake or for the sake of others.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/11/15

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