Entries in the 'Religion' Category

Uniqueness Of The Creator, Part 7

712.03The Method of Attainment, Undistorted by Egoism

Question: All theories of the management of nature are very diverse and are a combination of opposites. Is it in the combination of opposites, precisely between them, that the sensation of our world, or the Creator, is revealed?

Answer: No, I do not think so, because all these theories are egoistic. Man invented monotheism, polytheism, etc., based on his egoism without correcting it.

The only theory that has the right to exist is when a person exits himself, rising above himself, beginning to feel others instead of himself, feeling what happens inside the others, outside of himself. Then, one gets a truly objective impression of who one is, where one is, and what is around him. This “theory” is called “the method of Kabbalah,” which allows us to gain a correct impression of the universe, undistorted by our egoism.
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From KabTV’s “Basics of Kabbalah,” 12/10/18

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Kabbalistic Theory of Nature’s Governance

Question: What theory of nature’s governance does Kabbalah adhere to?

Answer: Kabbalah says that there is neither biotheism, nor polytheism, nor the theory of ending guardianship—nothing. There is only one single force that is engaged in human development in order to bring the person to the Creator’s likeness.

For this, the human being was created in the opposite property—the egoistic desire to receive for one’s own sake, which is when one thinks, contemplates, and imagines everything only for one’s own benefit. A person has no single sensation, no single thought in mind and heart that would not pursue one’s own personal well-being.

The person’s correction consists of rising above his nature and overcoming this tendency to do, think and act, subconsciously or consciously, only for his own benefit. He must make out of himself an absolutely inverse model that would only think about others, acting for their sake, feeling pain and pleasure for them.

A person must completely rise above one’s present animalistic essence and instead begin to feel everything outside of oneself, to live only for the good of these external, “outside of one’s” thoughts, desires, and intentions. Thus, there is only one force, even though an infinite number of forces, causes, and sources are perceived within us.

Nowadays, we are already reaching the understanding that the world is integral, and that perhaps only one theory, technique, power, and control program, really functions in it. It just affects us differently. Therefore, we can realize this theory and again return to monotheism. In other words, there is one single force that controls us differently, but with the sole purpose of leading us to its likeness. That is, from our initial state of absolute selfish love for ourselves, we come to the opposite state—absolute altruistic love, outside of ourselves.
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From KabTV’s “Basics of Kabbalah,” 12/10/18

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Guardianship Stopped

Remark: The fourth theory of nature’s governance: the Creator of the world has ceased His governance.

In the process of humanity’s development, many people abandoned the idea of polytheism. Baal HaSulam writes that then a new theory was put forward, according to which the Creator of the world is wise and sensible, but he stopped his guardianship, i.e., He created us and left.

My Comment: The fact is that many people are disappointed with their development, with the development of civilization, with the human approach to life, with society. They saw that no matter what we do as a result of our long developmental process, we still remain negative and worthless, we suffer, and harm ourselves.

Therefore, they involuntarily came to the conclusion that, probably, all this was once controlled by a wise force that wanted to create a person for some lofty goal, but because nothing came out of the person, as a result, the higher power left us, and we exist purely automatically.

That is, they agree that some kind of wise force created us, but it seems to them that this wise force cannot engage in such insignificant people who themselves cannot do anything to correct themselves. All the theories of nature’s governance, in principle, have arisen from practice.
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From KabTV’s “Basics of Kabbalah,” 12/10/18

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laitman_558Two Authorities and Multiple Gods

Question: Throughout history, people saw that there are two forces. Therefore, as Baal HaSulam writes, the second theory of the governance of the world appeared: the theory of two authorities. That is, people saw that there is a good, kind force and there is a bad one. What does Kabbalah say about this?

Answer: Kabbalah says that there are two forces controlling us: the force of reception and the force of bestowal. They manifest in a person in accordance with one’s development.

Kabbalah always speaks in relation to a person. We do not know what exists outside of us. The manifestation of a good force or of the other one, opposite to it, comes from one force, as two reins (two systems) that control a person in order to lead him to a certain goal, to develop him.

We cannot develop with the help of one force. A person is created as a sensitive element and in order to raise him, it is necessary to influence him with positive and negative forces.

Remark: From here comes the third theory of the governance of the world, about which Baal HaSulam writes, “multiple gods.” Since there are a great number of all kinds of influences on a person, in order to explain many phenomena two forces were not enough.

Therefore, humanity naturally came to the conclusion that certainly, there is a separate force behind each of these influences, and it is necessary to address it and serve it in some way.

My Comment: That’s absolutely correct.
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From Kab TV’s “Basics of Kabbalah,” 12/10/18

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Kabbalah And Superstition

laitman_543.02Question: What does Kabbalah say about superstition?

Answer: Superstition is an invention of our world, psychology, and nothing more.

Kabbalah is completely abstracted from all beliefs, superstitions, and from anything connected to mysticism, that is, from everything that is in this world.

Leave it alone, dedicate yourself to revealing the upper world and the Creator, and you will see that it will replace everything for you. You will receive answers to all questions, moreover, explicit and clear answers, and will begin to work with your soul.
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From the Kabbalah Lesson in Russian, 12/23/18

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Kabbalah And Faith

Laitman_177.02Rabash, “Love of Friends – 2”: Thus, we must also use faith to have confidence that we can reach the goal and not despair mid-way and flee the campaign. Rather, we should believe that the Creator can help even a low and ignoble person like myself. It means that the Creator will bring me near Him and I will be able to attain adhesion with Him.

Reaching the goal is not easy. But the fact is that we were given a group, an environment to help us. It is necessary to create such an environment in advance, which can support you in times of descent. If you create it, you guarantee in advance that your descent will be very special, soft, understandable, and there will be a glimmer of Light within this descent.

Question: What is the concept of faith in Kabbalah?

Answer: Faith is the quality of bestowal.

Question: Then, why is it said: faith in the sages? What is it?

Answer: Faith in the sages is a state when I have already grasped how much they understand the situation and therefore I am ready to follow them like a little child. Despite the fact that I do not understand what they are talking about, but they claim that this is what needs to be done, and so I do it.

My faith in them is based on the fact that I comprehend their sublimity. I submit to the upper, as a lower one. Therefore, faith is the feeling of the greatness of the upper Partzuf, the upper state, the upper soul.

This feeling comes when I earn it. I need to work hard for this.

Question: Is it not that someone said something and I believe it?

Answer: No. Such an approach will not save me. The person begins to believe either in a state of despair when he has no other option or when he has gone through all the scrutinies and is convinced that this is so.

Question: But then what is the difference between religion and Kabbalah?

Answer: Religion says: “You have to close your eyes and believe in what you are told.” And Kabbalah says: “A person has nothing more than what his eyes see.”
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From KabTV’s “The Last Generation” 3/22/18

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It All Depends On The Goal

laitman_245.11Question: “There is none else besides Him” is a popular religious mantra. But what is the difference between the efforts of a religious person without a point in his heart and the efforts of a Kabbalist to reveal by every action the upper force, to love it, and be connected to it?

Answer: It all depends on what goal you are pursuing: either your own pleasure or bestowal and love for the Creator through the created beings.

The question is, what is it you want from studying and realizing Kabbalah, because “to receive for yourself” will not work here. If that is your aim, then practice various spiritual techniques, meditations, and learn how to feel better. There is nothing of it in Kabbalah.

While studying Kabbalah, it is necessary to invest a lot of effort, to sweat, even to suffer, until you learn how to properly guide yourself, drawing the surrounding Light.
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From the Kabbalah Lesson in Russian 5/13/18

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The Dalai Lama, It’s Not Easy …

laitman_600.04In the News (The Earth Chronicles of Life): “‘The Dalai Lama revealed the secret of happiness’:

“Less envy and anger, more love and compassion – only through this man can come to harmony in the soul, the Dalai Lama XIV said in Riga during the spiritual teachings for Buddhists from Russia and the Baltic States.

“Man is destroyed by anger, envy, a sense of competition, fears and other negative emotions that lead to suffering, while happiness is achieved not through the implementation of unbridled desires, but through the ‘peace of mind’. Compassion and altruism help to come to him.

“’It has already been scientifically proven that anger literally destroys the immune system, while compassion and peace of mind strengthen it. If you treat others with compassion and altruism, then malice, envy and competition in you will be much less, and happiness – much more,’ said the Dalai Lama.

“A materialistic system of values ​​makes a person a money-grubber.

“’Unchecked desires destroy both man and the environment, and this does not bring happiness to anyone. Happiness comes when the mind is at peace, when there is peace in the soul. Therefore, it is so important to train your mind,’ he said.”

My Comment: He is absolutely right, but how can this be accomplished?

Remark: In principle, it is clear what the Dalai Lama is leading to: it is a specific view of the world, meditation…

My Comment: This method is good for people with very little egoism, which used to manifest itself in humanity thousands of years ago. Also, today it also applies, but only in some parts of the world where it can really be offered and accepted.

Question: How can the state of happiness be achieved?

Answer: To do this, you need to change a person in order for a person to change the world so that the world does not chase artificial goals, but everything is in balance with nature and with each other.

It is possible, but not through a technique of just sitting and feeling happy.

Question: You said that the ego will develop and grow and that there is no escape from it. What can be done with egoism that grows and kills me?

Answer: I’ve talked about this many times. Until we show people that this final state leads us to destruction and instead there is an eternal and perfect state that we can achieve in this world now, today, until we convince humanity of this possibility, we can do nothing.

Question: How can this be done?

Answer: Only by working on ourselves, bringing ourselves to a state where we can truly become an example of correct human relationships, finding happiness and the highest quality between us.

Question: What should our relationships be like?

Answer: Love each other. The Dalai Lama also speaks about this, only it must be achieved. It is not easy and is accomplished through tremendous effort and by a trustworthy method that connects the impossible with the desired.

Is it necessary to get to this? It is necessary. Is there an opportunity? There is, but it’s hard. Here, we must reshape human nature, change it.

Question: How does human nature change?

Answer: Only under the influence of the revelation of the upper force. In attempts to unite, we reveal this force. We want this power to change us, but only this force! And not that I want to be good, and I’m already good.
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From KabTV’s “News with Michael Laitman” 6/20/18

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Kabbalah Does Not Involve Meditation

Laitman_506.5Question: Meditation is also an inner contemplation. How is it different from Kabbalistic contemplation?

Answer: There is no meditation in Kabbalah. Sometimes, meditation is called prayer, that is, a request, an aspiration from the lowest to the highest degree. Such a request compels the higher level to help the lower. This is called prayer. There is no other meditation.

I have heard a lot about meditation. Some people even tried to teach me meditation. But all this ended quickly because I study and teach only classical Kabbalah.

People’s inventions, no matter whether or not they believe it exists, is not proof for me. Therefore, I do not understand how one can meditate. In other words, how does one develop imagination to the point that it starts to affect him? He is included in a certain cycle where he excites himself and allegedly transfers to other imaginary spaces. Kabbalah does not tolerate this because Kabbalah is a science.
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From the Kabbalah Lesson in Russian 4/1/18

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Aspiring For Truth

laitman_231.01Question: I know some people who through spiritual practices and rejection of desires live for the sake of the divine and easily enter the spiritual realm. However, none of them are engaged in Kabbalah. Why do you insist that revealing the Creator is only possible with the help of Kabbalah?

Answer: I do not insist on anything and do not argue with anyone. I have my own understanding. If someone wants to master it, they can learn from the materials that we put on the Internet. Also, I do not want to debate what method is better to study or how to go about it.

Why should I dissuade someone about whether or not he is right? To the extent that a person strives for the truth, he finds his own method, aspires further, and advances. What’s most important is not to stop. Therefore, whatever you do, I advise you only one thing: continue to go deeper, expand, and do not be afraid of anything.

The Torah/Kabbalah does not welcome the rejection of egoism because it is our matter. The more we use it, the more we have the opportunity to ascend.

Unlike religions or most spiritual practices, Kabbalah uses egoism joyfully, as a gift from the Creator. After all, it is egoism that separates the human being and the whole creation from the Creator. And if we want to destroy the ego or annul the desire itself, what would remain of us?
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From the Kabbalah lesson in Russian, 03/18/2018

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