Entries in the 'Society' Category

Learning To Be In Balance With Nature

Dr. Michael LaitmanWe must organize integral education around every person and require each to enter it. The general crisis will end with such a big blow that no one will have a job. We will not need all these extra goods, and there will be no need to produce more. There is plenty of everything. The world produces garbage, throws it away, and only pollutes the planet.

Suddenly, we discover that out of seven billion people existing in the world, 80 percent are extra. What can we do with them, kill them? There are theories that it is necessary to get rid of “extra people,” and then the rest will have jobs. However, the rest will not have jobs either as this war will leave a person wondering whether it’s good that he has remained alive.

That is why we have a simple solution. Every person’s job will be to enter an educational, learning environment. Just as we teach our children and 100 percent of the children study until they are 18, an adult should study or get continuous education throughout his life, working a couple of hours a day to perform the tasks assigned to him by society.

Then, every person will go through inner changes in a mandatory manner. We would not exclude one single person from this. Each would study in a virtual system, watching clips, listening to songs, or reading humorous stories, where everything will be on the topic of globality, integrality, unity, and mutual guarantee. Everyone will have to do homework, submit it to be checked, and pass exams. If one has completed everything, he will get a salary at the end of the month. This will be his job.

Question: Who finances his salary if no one works?

Answer: This does not mean that no one works. We all work to the extent that we have to, to produce the necessities of life. However, we do not make things only to pass them to each other and then throw them in a landfill because people hardly use them. We produce only the necessary items that everyone requires to exist normally.

The same education system includes studying how to live within the framework of life’s necessities, at the human level, in balance with nature, and observing its requirements. It should explain to everyone that by consuming more than we need, we become out of balance with nature.

Each organ of the body receives not for itself, but only to exist to help others, to serve them. We should understand that we have no choice. We must come to this system. Kabbalists spoke much about it, and we have to bring this knowledge to everyone.
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From the Talk about a New Book 7/11/2011

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Integral Upbringing For Everyone

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: What is your view of extreme right wing movements in modern societies?

Answer: They exist in developed countries regardless of the national policy and the social mood, and they are primarily caused by the presence of a large number of immigrants in every developed country.

This is happening because the demographic crisis forces a country to bring in a foreign work force, and as a result, a collision occurs between opposing cultures and religions. The solution can only come from an obligatory upbringing for everyone, which will raise people above all the differences, bringing them together in a single, integral unification.

To accomplish this, it is necessary to introduce a mandatory upbringing for all members of society, including immigrants. Otherwise every country will face horrible consequences in the form of civil wars….
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The Method Of Integral Connection

Dr. Michael LaitmanIn principle, all of the science of Kabbalah is intended only to show people how to quickly and properly ascend above our egoistic desire, above our egoistic nature, because that nature is very deep, powerful, and terrifying, and it is practically impossible for a person to rise above it. But if man takes this method, Kabbalah, then very gradually, he can nevertheless change himself. And if he doesn’t, then he will be driven to this by suffering.

Therefore, Kabbalah waited for our time when it would be able to become revealed and help people shift from the previous state, in which we existed until recently, into the next state, the future, where we are obligated to be interconnected with one another in a global, integral system. And today, nature is already showing us how global and interconnected it is, and how much its global connections are already starting to penetrate into human society.

Therefore, involuntarily, we already exist in a global, integral connection with one another. But this connection is being lowered upon us from above, not yet having formed inside of us. By ourselves, inside of us, we are still not connected together globally and integrally.

Therefore, in our current life calculations, intentions, actions, changes, values, and aspirations, we do not take into account the common system that we are in, but think only of ourselves as distinct, separate elements. That is where a problem arises because today we can no longer estimate our behavior and actions and their probable consequences while taking only ourselves into consideration. If we do that, we won’t accomplish anything. We have to consider the entire, huge system in which we exist against our will.

Therefore, Kabbalah tells us about how to attain this integral nature so we could communicate with each other properly and correctly estimate our actions so we won’t make mistakes. Otherwise, if we continue operating in the narrow plane of our egoism, without conforming to this system of forces in which we exist, we will constantly experience an ever increasing crisis.

In order to liberate us from this difficult, lengthy, and tragic path, the science of Kabbalah is being revealed in our time, showing us how we can be interconnected with one another, how we can position ourselves correctly in relation to the environment, and how we can estimate our actions correctly in order to truly receive good bestowal from them.

This is equally true for each separate individual, as well as nations, governments, and the whole world. That is to say, the issue at stake is for every one of us and all of humanity as a whole to acquire an inner, integral nature so we could act only based on our sensation of cohesion. Then we will act correctly and nature will always react to our proper actions benevolently.

In order to make all of this come true, the science of Kabbalah is becoming revealed to us.
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From the Sunday Virtual Lesson Series 7/31/2011

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The Solution Is In Unity

Dr. Michael LaitmanOpinion: (Dragutin Matanovic, senior adviser to the Interior Minister of Serbia, the chairman of the Socialist Party of Serbia, d-pils.lv): “Speaking of the civilization crises, Matanovic emphasized the three factors: the end of the oil era, the end of cheap food supply era, and the increase in Earth’s temperature. It brings about the collapse of neoliberalism and the end of capitalism in general.

“Oil is a non-renewable resource: 90 percent of all production uses oil, and there is no alternative to it….The end of oil will cause conflicts and wars….

“The collapse of neoliberalism implies the destruction of the idea of ​​European unity. As a consequence, nationalistic and left-wing parties come to power in Europe.…

“The EU policy towards other the new members of EU and the countries of the former Soviet Union… is to destroy their industry and agriculture. It’s because the production capacity in the West is huge, and they need just a market for their goods, not competitors.”

“As Dr. Henry Kissinger said: ‘Who controls the food supply controls the people; who controls energy can control whole continents; who controls money controls the world.’”

My Comment: These are all the signs of decaying capitalism, or rather, global egoism in all the countries and governments. Now, we only have to realize that the way out of the complete collapse is in total unity. There is no other way out because this is the condition of nature. We have to search together how to achieve this.

And then, suddenly, the eyes will open, and a new method of correction of human nature, changing it precisely for a correct connection, will be found. And the reward, besides achieving perfection in this world and on the planet, is the revelation of the new level of existence—eternal and perfect.
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Democracy Or A Trick Of Egoism

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: If I study in a virtual group and do not experience serious obstacles, am I able to form a plea to the Creator based on regular daily corporeal problems at work and at home?

Answer: There is no need to look for disturbances neither in a virtual nor a physical group. Obstacles come by themselves from our desire to truly come closer and unite with one another. Then the problems begin! And if you do not have any problems, connect with the others and start figuring them out.

Disturbances come in accordance with the state. When people hold a distance, problems do not arise between them. We see our world moving closer to democracy. “Democracy” is the biggest deceit, when I become further from you, and you become further from me. And now we almost do not touch one another, and we say that everyone has freedom: “This is mine, this is yours; don’t touch what’s mine, and everything will be fine.”

But this is no order of relationships because essentially, we are not connected with one another in any way! Whatever little we are to receive from one another, we pass it on to each other through some kind of buffer. But in every other way, we do not touch one another at all. And when we don’t, there are no problems—our ego is ready to agree to this, and this is the most convenient option for it. This is why the modern world has come to democracy, the protection of individual rights, and so on.

But if we begin to act like this in a group, we will never attain unity. Democracy will not be able to lead to unity if everything is being done wearing gloves and keeping a distance.

We were able to do this until now. But now, no matter how much we resist, there is no choice: Nature is pressuring us, forcing us to unite and establish a connection. And even though we are still trying to keep a distance and the same democracy, nature is showing us that we are connected with one another. This is where the problems begin!

I cannot get any further! Greater distance is impossible according to the form that nature is showing me. It is showing me that I am connected with everyone else, and at the same time, I do not want to be connected to them. Basically, this is the essence of the modern crisis.

But in the group, we do need to work in the heart. It does not matter whether we are together in one room or behind computer screens in a virtual class. The key is to avoid misleading ourselves about having attained connection. This is a big problem since a person convinces himself, due to the egoism’s defense ability, that everything is fine and he has a sufficient connection with others. He forgets about it completely and experiences many disturbances.

But when we want to figure this out and we do it together, we begin to work with it and reveal the force of evil, which separates us, our hearts. This is no easy work.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/28/2011, Shamati #218

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Balance That Causes Development

Dr. Michael LaitmanBaal HaSulam, “The Peace”: Nature has prepared a wonderful foundation in the mother’s womb so that no stranger may harm the new life. It tends to its every need like a trained nanny who will not forget it even for a moment…. Like a loving mother, it brings it to such loving, loyal people it can trust, called “Mother” and “Father,” to assist it through its days of weakness until it grows and is able to sustain itself….

But those who examine that reality from the perspective of provision and persistence of existence can clearly see great disorder and confusion, as though there were no leader and no guidance. Everyone does that which is right in his own eyes, building himself on the ruin of others….

Bear in mind that this oppositeness, set before the eyes of every sensible, educated person, has preoccupied humanity even in ancient days. And there are many theories to explain these two apparent opposites in Providence, which occupy the same world.

On one hand, we see that nature is wise and assiduous toward every creature. It develops every element successively and carefully. Look at the structure of organisms, their ability to grow, to give birth to offspring, and to interact. Everything is built in an integral form, every person has his own place and is in balance with others. If we could see the balanced world, undisturbed by human despotism, we would reveal a wonderful system, one that is not static, but perfectly balanced for development.

However, we do not see the causes of this development and do not understand why everything has to be precisely this way. Therefore, we do not understand the phases of the path. Besides, we look at it through the prism of our egoism and evaluate it according to our criteria. Therefore, we see the world upside down, as if flipping it over in our perception.

Nevertheless, from scientific research it is clear to us that in order to develop the species, nature has created, produced, and formed all of the necessary systems that take care of the ideal creativity.

But on the other hand, a problem arises with the subsequent existence. Once any part of nature grows up and “stands up on its own feet,” it starts fighting for survival and integrating into the environment without parental help. This happens to all living creatures, but among people it takes on the most difficult forms because a person has to prepare for life in a society that is complex and artificial, built upon a multitude of mechanisms. Envy and lust for power ignite within him, pushing him to oppose others. Others seem successful, while he seems to be lagging behind them because of his nature or due to the circumstances.

Nature, which took such great care of us while we were growing, now places us in conditions that require efforts to survive. So does the Creator exist or not? If everything was all right, then we would say, “Thank God.” But if everything is not all right, then what you can say?

This is the problem that Baal HaSulam describes before he talks about the attempts to solve it.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/31/11

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How Can We Solve The Emerging Problems?

Dr. Michael LaitmanOpinion: (Viktor Kuvaldin, Professor, Head of the Moscow School of Economics, MSU, manwb.ru): “The end of the century revealed the dangerous discrepancy between the global problems of humanity …and the limited public resources to address them….

“We all have witnessed and participated in the formation of a single interconnected, interdependent world, in which global systems not only bind the previously separate fragments, but also affect them deeply by transforming them. Practically, we talk about the creation of a global society….

“The study of a mega society requires appropriate analytical tools: concepts, categories, and language….

“The information revolution changes the principles of social organization. Vertical hierarchies are replaced by horizontal connections, established by people’s own choice and desire….

“This will inevitably change our ideas about society, citizenship, law, political power, and international relations on which the life of our society is built. This unavoidably influences those who control resources and make decisions….

“Political structures, state institutions, and management systems …lose their effectiveness in the world that is becoming globalized….

“The causes of conflict between globalization processes are in the difference between the level of socio-economic and political development of human communities, their lifestyle, and their attitude toward the main problems of existence….

“So far, globalization breaks down barriers in life, but not in our psychology and consciousness. Man is still a means, but not the goal.”

My Comment: In order to solve the problems of the world that is emerging before us, we have to change, become globally and integrally connected with each other, begin to think only in terms of WE, but not I, see the world whole and connected, and “format” our thoughts and desires from individual to global.

Otherwise, we will not be able to exist in a new world. Either we will realize this and begin to change gradually, or nature will force us to do this by suffering caused by our discrepancy with nature. Only by understanding what is happening will we be able to change ourselves and to solve the emerging problems.
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Transformation Of The Familiar World

Dr. Michael LaitmanThe world of egoists is a place of struggle for what the future world order will be. Supranational communities and businesses take the place of the state, the state loses power over media (the Internet), science, and the economy (which become global), and it is forced to deform itself into a new flexible body, to the extent that the new independent formations leave space for it, while they overtake the state’s functions.

But the state is unable to handle even the functions it still retains. All the work of authorities, which is increasingly reduced to servicing the population, causes a growing discontent. Undoubtedly, private institutions would be much more efficient at it.

The state, in its historical form, is dying. A new kind of power and society are emerging parallel to and outside the state, and they elude it. For now, it’s all about the state, its abolition and transformation into a single world government.

Besides, people no longer feel as a nation or society, but more as individuals who are willing to live in any place, any country, and they do not tend to be concerned with a certain community or nation. It is evident that gradually, “a nation” disappears and “a character” emerges. Egoism separates us at all levels of our communication.

But the need for unification of all for the sake of their survival and the need for new means of unification will be revealed precisely in this mutual inner (psychological) and outer (cultural, national, and state) distancing. However, people will not find such a force and idea in our world, except the one offered by Kabbalah: the mutual guarantee. A need for a unified global community will arise. Only in this way will we eliminate suffering arising from our lack of correspondence with unified nature.
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Rethinking Education Axioms

Opnion (Boris Wolfson, historian, professor, Russian Academy of Education, portalus.ru): “For all his enormous scientific achievements, man still has not penetrated into the mysteries of consciousness—the most profound gift granted to him by nature. For the most part, the real essence of man remains a mystery….

“None of the modern philosophical and pedagogical theories is able to determine the basic objectives and means of education….

“It is becoming increasingly evident that to overcome the crisis in human development, our primary task is not the transformation of social structures…, but something more challenging: profound changes in consciousness and behavior of the modern man that would ennoble his inner world and fill his aspirations with new content, social and aesthetic ideals, and notions of good and evil. The challenge is to purposefully form a humanistic consciousness in the individual, group, society, and the whole of humanity….

“Humanism is not rooted in the biological structure of man, it is not inherent in him from birth. Each individual must re-learn some basic human values. Therefore, it requires more effort from the teachers, significant changes in the system of education, as well as a re-evaluation of the fundamental provisions which seemed axiomatic a short time ago.”
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The Genre Crisis

Dr. Michael LaitmanIn the news  (from screendigest.com): iHS Screen Digest, industry analysts covering global media markets, published an opinion about the fate of the 3D film format.

“In 2011 to date, titles released in 3D have grossed an average 64.4 per cent of total box office from US 3D screens, a slight reduction from the 69 per cent 3D/2D split in the first three months of 2011, and below the full year 2010 average (66.8 per cent)….

“The move shows how some US consumers have flipped in their appreciation of broad market 3D and in certain cases may believe it offers little incremental value over the standard 2D version.”

My comment: People get tired of meaningless horror and war stories; everything passes, and folly too….
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