Entries in the 'Religion' Category

How To Succeed In The School Of Life

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: I am a real practical person, one that does not believe in any higher power or  in anything else. I just want to know how to gain power over luck.

Answer: You can rule over luck if you change yourself to be like the power of luck.

Question: What if I am an atheist, can I rule over the good fortune according to your method?

Answer: It is not related to faith. It is a technique by which practical, pragmatic people who want to succeed in life reach a result much quicker.

Question: How can I rule over luck?

Answer: The force that moves you throughout life does not change. You have to become like the force. Just like a child who does not want to go to school has to change his view, his direction.

A child needs to see that if he changes himself to fit the grade he is in, does not want to change the grade according to him, but, if he sits quietly and studies, does his homework, then he can achieve a great goal as a result.

Question: As I understand it, the purpose of this whole school of life is to teach me to love?

Answer: It is true; there is nothing other than that. It is written, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” is the main rule of the entire Torah.”

What can one gain by doing this? While reaching the properties of love you connect to a higher power and reach the same state in which this power resides in eternity and perfection, without any restrictions.

Question: Who is the supreme power in your example about school? Is it the principal?

Answer: Imagine that there is someone above the school principal, eternal and perfect. And he wishes for you to reach the same condition as him, to become eternal and perfect, at the expense of his internal changes, its internal transformation. When? Here and now! After all, there is no time and  everything depends on your effort and perseverance.

Question: What is a higher power?

Answer: A higher power is the comprehensive, sole force of nature, in addition to which there is nothing. And we are all in it. We exist only because this force is the power of love and bestowal, and we should reach the same state in which it resides.

We will reach it, since due to this force, we receive the Torah, the so-called Light that Reforms, a Kabbalah methodology, by which we can easily change ourselves to become like the power of luck.

Anyone who wants to gain power over the good fortune has to come to Kabbalah, and learn how to have good luck all the time.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/08/15

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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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Rising Above Angels

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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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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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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The Magic Theater

laitman_284_03Question: Can I say that the wisdom of Kabbalah contains special, supernatural powers?

Answer: There is nothing supernatural. Kabbalah is the science that explains to a person how to behave in the current reality, and how to reach heaven during this lifetime.

Kabbalistic books are not related to magic. Yes, they are called “holy” because I can learn how to become “holy” with their help. In other words, I can learn to bestow, how to love the neighbors, how to become giving, and how to do good.

Question: Can I use the Kabbalistic books for something bad? For example, some people hold special ceremonies directed against a particular person.

Answer: It is a theater. Psychologically, it may have some affect, but not more than that.

A Kabbalist who owns his strength can never cause anyone any harm. After all, he is close to the Creator, evil does not come from him “by definition.”

On the other hand, there are situations where a Kabbalist can bring benefit to protect them by neutralizing a big villain who carries enormous harm to the people.

Overall, I have to learn to bear the good, to be a giver. Only then I will definitely act for the common good, and thus for the benefit of myself.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/18/15

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Power Over Destiny

laitman_277Question: Astrology tends to predict our destiny. However, the important thing is to change our fate rather than to know what’s waiting for us in the future. Is it possible?

Answer: Do you mean influencing your luck and turning the stars to better work for your interests? Yes, it is possible because we are a part of an integral system in which everything is intertwined. So, by all means we can impact the stars.

A human being is the most powerful force in nature, capable of penetrating into any of its integral parts, “spreading” in all directions, learning, attaining, connecting things, and clarifying all rules. We are able to understand the basics of universal connections, become included in the liaisons, and eventually change them.

Only humans are capable of attaining this level, nobody else! At all times, people tried to change their destinies. They did it with the help of religion and mysticisms, astrology, and divination, and with the help of the wisdom of Kabbalah. We are free to choose what remedy to use to change our destiny. In fact, all three directions can impact our future.

Question: How can we influence our destiny with the help of astrology? Is it really possible “to rearrange” the stars so that they bring us luck?

Answer: Stars only signify the governance of the Upper Force over us. Stars by themselves cannot influence anything. Stars are the signs of the upper impact. Yes, we can change them, i.e., make the upper governance more beneficial for us. It is possible with the help of religion, mysticism, or the wisdom of Kabbalah – through these three sources.

Religious people pray, they join and pray together, they try to influence events and ask for help from above. By these actions, they change nature since they also are a part of nature. Humans are inseparable from the rest of the world.

We can influence the world around us since our bodies are part of nature. Humans are the most influential force in nature. This explains why when thousands of people get together and pray for something, their desire alters reality. It’s because they are an internal part of nature.

This is why all remedies are good when it comes to influencing upcoming events: religion, mysticism, and Kabbalah. The difference among them is the way they influence nature. Religion makes a strong impact since it is an organized force that has existed for many years, for many generations.

The problem is that it is extremely egoistic. Religious thinking is only about personal benefits or, in the very best case, the benefits of one’s nation without considering possible damages that can be made to other nations: One country prays about conquering another one.

Mysticism is less egoistic because while trying to connect with the stars that “provide” luck, each one of us must give up some portion of egoism. This mystical form requires one to become a little less materialistic and diminish one’s egoistic desires.

The wisdom of Kabbalah is the most altruistic methodology that requires loving one’s neighbor as oneself. In this form, it is possible to clearly, directly, and powerfully impact all of nature. If we “are armed” with a correct technology that allows us to beneficially influence the world and thus change its state to the better, we’ll attain similarity with the upper force. Then, our abilities become virtually unlimited.

With the help of the wisdom of Kabbalah, we develop the properties that are similar to the upper force, the general power of nature that governs the inanimate, vegetative, animate, and speaking levels. It is the only real power. It is called “the Creator.” We can connect with this force, understand its thought, and together with it, rule the entire system of nature, become its partner.

Question: What are the most effective remedies for changing our destiny?

Answer: The most effective remedy to modify our fate is to join the group that aspires to attain similarity with the upper force, i.e., achieve a state of loving our neighbors, to build the type of connection among friends that impacts our lives in the infinite future, both for each individual and the entire world.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/1/15

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“God-Fearing” Egyptians

Laitman_509The Midrash, “BeShalach”: The Pharaoh chose the best six hundred chariots they had in the land of Egypt. In addition, he took other chariots and appointed charioteers. The Almighty’s plan was that the Egyptian army would pursue the children of Israel until they all drowned.

Where did they get horses for chariots? Hadn’t the animals died in Egypt during the plagues of “starvation and hail”?

The animals were provided by “God-fearing” Egyptians who obeyed Moses’ warnings before the “plague of hail,” and placed their animals in barns. Now, they volunteered to lend their animals to persecute the Jews.

“G-d-fearing” Egyptians are those who revere the Torah commandments and at the same time think only about themselves. They are spiritual criminals! Among them, there are those who exited from Egypt together with the Jews as well as those who stayed in Egypt. In the Torah, they are called “big rabble” (Erev Rav).

On one hand, they obeyed Moses, but on the other hand, they gladly gave everything they had to the Pharaoh.

Question: At some point, they listened to Moses and used an anti-egoistic screen to hide their animal desires. Why all of sudden did they change so dramatically?

Answer: Their duty is to accompany us in our spiritual work and “provide us” with multiple troubles. They had to participate in the destruction of the First and the Second Temples. They partake in all harms that continue happening up to these days. Kabbalah-haters won’t disappear until we reach the final correction.
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From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 4/23/14

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Dispelling Misconceptions About Kabbalah

Dr. Michael LaitmanThere are great misconceptions about the wisdom of Kabbalah. People ask, “Why is it necessary to study the wisdom of Kabbalah? Is it interesting for us to know how many angels there are in heaven and what they are called? Is it important what we call the worlds, the Partzufim, or the Sefirot? Why should we sit and learn impractical things like these that are irrelevant to real life?”

We open the book and read: Behold that before the emanations were emanated and the creatures were created, the upper simple light had filled the whole existence. Where is all of this found? This is so far from us, outside of this world and universe, outside of this space in which all of us exist together with our planet, the sun, and all the stars. All of this is absolutely abstract and detached from our world.

No practical benefit is seen nor any concrete means that would make it possible to improve our lives and perform any actions. It is suggested to us simply to study. So what is the meaning of this?

Besides that, there are those who say that because this study is too abstract, it is possible to go crazy. Since studying the Talmud and Mitzvot (commandments), the Shulchan Aruch makes it possible to apply the study to practical activities and is preferable for the organization of our lives. We are able to provide a good education and information to children so that they will be able to proceed in the way of their ancestors.

It is customary to think that religion brings benefit to people while the wisdom of Kabbalah is like some kind of philosophy. So why does an ordinary person need this? Such an opinion is widespread and common in the world.

Or people think that with the help of the wisdom of Kabbalah, it is possible to do miracles by activating forces from the next world. And so the wisdom of Kabbalah seems even more dangerous for you are apparently working with mysticism and are liable to harm yourself and others. People are against anyone being involved with it at all, for who knows what you are liable to do? Maybe you will get access to some red button through which it will be possible to blow up the whole world.

But all of these erroneous opinions are the result of absolute ignorance. People don’t understand that the wisdom of Kabbalah is the most practical of sciences and by being involved in it, it is possible to attract the Light that reforms.

In truth, it is difficult to explain this. Even those who come to study in the beginning don’t understand what they really want and what they came for. After years of study and learning, it is gradually revealed to a person that Kabbalah is a practical method only. This is because with its help, we awaken a unique power that changes everything in our world, a power that is called the Upper Light.

If we don’t attract this Light, it still acts according to its plan. And so it controls us in any case, but only in a form that is quite unpleasant and not desirable for the upper force or for a person.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/08/15, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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