Entries in the 'Perception' Category

“How Can You Get Rid Of Negative Thinking?” (Quora)

Dr. Michael LaitmanMichael Laitman, On Quora: “How can you get rid of negative thinking?“

In order to get rid of negative thinking and all the problems and crises that stem from it, we have to be connected to the fundamental thought that exists before and beyond all of our thoughts—the thought that governs nature on all of its levels: still, vegetative, animate and human.

How can we gain access to that exalted all-encompassing thought?

It is by a correct form of connection among us.

In our current state, we emanate negative thoughts and influences by hosting an egoistic intention upon all of our desires. This egoistic intention is expressed as myriad “viruses” of exploiting others for profit, status and control.

The more we think and act according to an egoistic modus operandi, the more we spread these viruses to others, and as a result, more and more negative phenomena abound in our world.

Our egoism infects society, becomes mutated in society, and then returns back to us with much greater strength. Soon, we all agonizingly endure contaminated living conditions where our egoistic connections intensify to become increasingly negative and hateful.

Today, we experience various mutations of hatred, cutthroat competitiveness, envy, lust, pride, control, and an ever-increasing compulsion to exploit anyone and anything if it serves our personal fulfillment.

The problem with such an abundance of negative thoughts is that our goals of becoming more fulfilled elude us more and more, and we find that neither do we nor others truly enjoy ourselves under such circumstances.

Our egos develop in order for us to reach a conclusion that if we continue trying to personally benefit at the expense of others, then nobody wins, and we will find ourselves becoming more and more helpless.

How, then, can we change our negative ways of thinking and spark a different positive form of development?

We should seeks ways to transform such a system according to the principle, “Don’t do to others what you hate,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In other words, by positively connecting to each other, and investing in creating a society that supports, encourages and uplifts its members to think and act positively above egoistic drives, then we will positively transform our thinking. By valuing and respecting examples of doing good to the world and to others, then thoughts of how to positively affect others would start spreading among society, replacing the negative thoughts that stem from valuing and respecting individualistic and materialistic goals.

The “viruses” we spread to each other would then become positive ones. Thoughts we pass to each other are considered viruses because they penetrate us without our awareness. It is as if we guide other people by focusing good intentions upon them, and these intentions serve to positively influence them. We then make the world a better and healthier place.

We each host a certain spark of the universe, and we have an opportunity to take responsibility for this spark and operate it by creating a society that encourages and supports harmonious human connections.

Photo by Tamarcus Brown on Unsplash.

See The True Reality

928We must try to imagine a different reality, different from what we feel now, one where all of us are connected together. It actually exists in this form as a single integral world, and only my egoism detaches me from this reality.

Everyone is connected and everyone is corrected, and all the elements of nature are working as a single mechanism, a single system, in complete connection with each other. I am the only one who feels detached from others and judges them because of my own flaws.

If I depict the state of the entire creation in this correct way, I will see that Divinity (Shechina), the revelation of the Creator, dwells in all created beings, connects everyone, and operates within them.

Everyone is connected, everyone is corrected, and only I need to correct myself in order to see everyone in their true form.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/25/20, “Work With Faith Above Reason”

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The World Where The Opposite Is True

608.02I exist within my desire, that is, sensations and mind, mind and heart. Inside them, I live and feel the reality called “this world,” and in it there is the universe, galaxies, planets, stars, the globe, and humanity.

But other than that, I have to imagine that there is a border of this sensation, followed by another perception, not in relation to the egoistic force where I pull everything to myself, but relative to the bestowal, when I push away from myself.

This is the reverse world in which everything is the opposite: instead of hatred—love, instead of receiving—giving, instead of attraction—repulsion. We live in that other world, not to do well for ourselves, but to do good for others, and for this we do all actions.

It’s like I’m going into space in a spacesuit. What’s inside the suit is my own little world. But outside of it is a very different world that I don’t know. I am not allowed to be there in the egoistic way that I am in now.

But if I can adjust my senses and mind to the conditions of that world, I can live there. And this is what we need to do: change the use of our heart and mind from the egoistic to the benefit of others. And by doing this, I neutralize my “I” and no longer need a special space suit, I do not need to protect myself.

After all, if I do not act for the benefit of myself, but only for the benefit of others, then I do not need to isolate myself from them. They can’t hurt me; on the contrary, I can use everything that is outside of this suit for the benefit of all.

We must try to imagine this difference between being “within reason,” that is, our present egoistic mind and heart, and “above reason,” in bestowal. In this way, we will gradually begin to approach the border between “within reason” and “above reason,” the transition from the material world to the spiritual world.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/25/20, “Work With Faith Above Reason”

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Fake Reality

Dr Michael LaitmanComment: There is technology that creates a fake reality today. We’ve reached a state where technological advancement has made it possible for us to duplicate a person’s voice and make videos where I can put whatever words I want into anyone’s mouth. For example it’s possible to make a video of you, Dr. Laitman, where you’re saying, “I think it’s better that no one studies the wisdom of Kabbalah,” and you’re going to say, “No, it wasn’t me,” but you’ll be able to watch the video and see yourself say it…

My Response: So don’t watch anything.

Question: So that’s my question: where is this all taking us?

Answer: To a point where I don’t believe anything that I see or hear. Nothing. I have just one source, which is the book that I got from my teacher, and the upper force, through which I connect.

Question: So you’re saying that in the future it’s preferable for a person not to believe anyone, I mean to believe…?

Answer: Of course not. Not even to listen or watch.

Question: So how will people communicate?

Answer: They will have to learn how to really communicate correctly. All the senses through which I feel reality are deceitful. We will have to learn how to communicate correctly until we connect “as one man with one heart.”

Question: What do you mean?

Answer: It means that what we have to correct is our hearts.

Question: What is the essence of the correction itself?

Answer: It is that everyone wants the benefit of others.

Question: And what does that say about truth and lies?

Answer: There will be no lies. Will I lie to someone whom I truly love?

Question: So what I understand is that the world is advancing toward a lie over life, or lie…?

Answer: That is how it has been for a long time. I think everyone can agree.

Question: So tomorrow it will be impossible to believe anything that you see, hear, perceive, so I have to build a shelter, go in there, and come out…

Answer: You have to correct yourself and others, to truly be in one heart together with others…

Question: You completely confuse me. Is that truth or false?

Answer: This will be the truth. If everyone thinks the same then that’s the truth.

Question: But how will everyone think the same, we’re different…

Answer: We’ll correct ourselves.

Question: How will we be the same then?

Answer: In our mutual love. This is the upper nature, that all of us are in a good relationship with each other, and then between us we feel the force of good that dwells among all of us, and that’s actually the truth.

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Spiritual Growth Is Impossible Without Joy

243.04We are in the world of infinity, full of light, which fills the entire universe. But we feel this world as empty, that gives us nothing but a tiny spark of life so that we can somehow exist. Therefore, we do not value this world. Everything in it is hidden, but we need to reveal it.

Concealment and disclosure depend only on us and no one else. I just have to convince myself that I already exist in the world of infinity, in the ocean of infinite light, infinite fulfillment, and I have no shortage of anything. The only thing that I am lacking is my correct attitude. If I relate to the world this way, I will find that it is all there.

This means that I rise to faith above reason thanks to a sense of joy, unity, and mutual support. This is how we discover the world of absolute goodness and see that nothing has really changed except our perception.

Previously, I saw the whole world as black because I judged it according to my shortcomings. And when I correct my attitude to the world, rise to faith above reason, and want to see a good world full of the upper light, the Creator, I see that this is what it really is.

And this is not a psychological suggestion or self-deception but a true reality. I only need to raise myself from the degree of Malchut to the degree of Bina in order to see the world in the quality of bestowal and not receiving.

Then the world will be good, and I will see that everything is fine in it and there is no evil. It is simply that everyone judges to the extent of their own corruption: if there is evil inside me, then I see evil around me. And if I correct myself, I see the world corrected. It all depends on my inner view.

And the most correct attitude is to be in joy. And therefore, it is written: “Serve the Creator with joy.” If we relate to the Creator and the world created by Him with joy, with gratitude, without criticizing the Creator, we will feel that the world is really good. This means that we want to rise from the degree of Malchut to the degree of Bina, to faith (the degree of Bina) above reason (the degree of Malchut).

The Creator treats me well, but it seems to me that I receive blows because instead of being in faith, the power of bestowal, I am in reception. It is I who corrupts His attitude toward me. Therefore, I must make every effort to reveal the goodness of the Creator. After all, there can be no evil in the world if there is no other force than the Creator, who is good and does good.

If it seems to me that there is evil in the world, it is because I am corrupted inside. There is nothing else to fix except my attitude to reality. And then I will see that there is no evil—there is only good.
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From the Lesson for Women 11/1/20

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Blitz Of Kabbalah Tips – 9/27/20

962.3Question: When are you happy in your soul?

Answer: When people understand that they are living in an eternal, perfect world and that it is only because of their limited vision that they cannot see it.

Question: Let’s imagine a hypothetical situation in which you meet yourself in a different reality. What would you ask yourself?

Answer: Generally speaking, this is what I am trying to do. There is nothing new there.

The fact is that when you meet yourself, there is nothing to ask since you coincide in desires, opinions, and everything else, otherwise you would not meet.

Question: How do you seek answers to your questions?

Answer: I try to be detached from myself and join the flow of the thought of creation that is above us. This is where I get the feeling, the information, and everything I need.
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From KabTV’s “Kabbalah Express” 9/27/20

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How Does Consciousness Emerge?

565.02Question: How does Kabbalah interpret consciousness? How is it related to intention and desire?

Answer: Consciousness is built from identifying an external source (informational field) and does not exist on its own. To the extent that we begin to feel the influence of an external force upon us, we can say that consciousness appears in us.

You can connect to the consciousness outside of a person by your inner development. We exist in this information field, and therefore, by tuning ourselves to it, we receive consciousness.

Question: What is subconsciousness?

Answer: This is all psychology that makes such distinctions. Kabbalah does not deal with it.

Comment: Nonetheless, there are some things that I do consciously and some I do subconsciously.

Answer: Naturally. Our actions and the impact of nature on us are practically the two sources of our existence. Using the term “consciousness,” I imply our perception of the influences of nature, their analysis, and decision-making how to act under their influence.
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From KabTV’s “Communication Skills” 8/7/20

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Thought Is The Greatest Power

167Question: The intellect helps to process sensory information, that is, to understand the benefits of our feelings. And you say that feelings are primary and intellect is secondary. How can this be?

Answer: And where can the intellect manifest itself if not in the comparison of feelings? The intellect is meant to satisfy our desires. The more developed a person is, the more intelligent he is in filling them.

Question: They say that the greatest power in the world is the power of thought. Do you agree with this statement?

Answer: Yes, this is the greatest power.

Question: How can you use it?

Answer: It depends on society, which must guide us in the right direction toward the right goal and support us all the time.

We must think about being tied together into one single force, into one single thought, so that it turns into a design, and  coincides with the design of nature. Then we will become equal to it.
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From KabTV’s “Communication Skills” 8/7/20

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How To Resist The Influence Of Time?

276.02Question: Once you said that time kills everything. How do we resist the influence of time?

Answer: We need to rise above it, because, in fact, we exist outside of time.

Time is a kind of illusory idea in which all the actions I find myself in consist of a beginning, a middle, and an end. But I must perceive reality as existing in which I am in eternal, perfect, endless motion. And how much I influence this eternity and perfection depends on me. And I must do it to the best of my ability.

Understand that the correct connection to the eternal, perfect movement of the entire system of the universe is the highest. When I connect to something higher, I swim with it.
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From KabTV’s “Kabbalah Express” 9/27/20

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Can Joy Be Eternal?

572.02Question: What state does a person mostly feel joy from: from the past, the present, or the future?

Answer: From the present, of course. This feeling is the most acute. As for the future, it is the anticipation of joy. It may last longer. And the joy from the past leaves a certain impression and turns into knowledge, into what we call a Reshimo (informational record).

Question: Joy is a consequence of fulfilling our desires. But the fulfillment of desires extinguishes them and it turns out that the joy disappears. How can the joy be made to last forever?

Answer: It is necessary to separate the feeling of joy itself and the object that caused it. For example, if you feel joy from the achievements of your child who is constantly developing, then this joy does not disappear. And if you are happy about some of your successes, then this feeling goes away very quickly.

In other words, when joy is felt from an external source, then it can be long lasting, almost endless.
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From KabTV’s “Communication Skills” 8/7/20

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