The student receives all of the Light (the Light that Reforms and the Light of the filling) through the teacher. The order of the levels never changes and so the student’s role is to yearn to adhere to the teacher.

We have such an example in The Book of Zohar about Rabbi Chiya who fasted for forty days in order to see Rabbi Shimon, his teacher, who had left them. When he didn’t manage to see him, he fasted for another forty days.

This of course, doesn’t refer to a physical fast, but to spiritual actions. Rabbi Chiya ascended to the level of the upper Bina of Bina and he corrected himself to such an extent in the Light of Hassadim that he was awarded the level of connection with his teacher on a very high level. This means that he saw Rabbi Shimon sitting in the upper assembly, and it is thanks to Rabbi Chiya that he revealed the upper wisdom, the Light of Hochma, and the concealed mind, Mocha Stima’a. 

Question: How can we attain such a revelation?

Answer: We should try to yearn for what the teacher says. Of course neither you nor I are on levels like Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Chiya, but we will undoubtedly reach these levels in the future. In that case this should serve as an example for us, not in the physical psychological connection, but in the real inner connection. Everything that we learn and receive through the external mind and the inner filling comes from the teacher.

Otherwise the teacher cannot do anything for us. He is in the position of a parent who can give his child only what the child asks for. If the child is full of energy and has the intelligence and desire, you can enroll him in different clubs, engage private tutors, and bring him books and educational games that can help him develop and advance to greater and higher levels. But if the child is autistic and behind in his mental development, the only thing a parent can do is worry about his physical existence, his physical needs, hoping that one day his mind will awaken.

Everything depends on the deficiency of the student and this is a one way connection in that only the deficiency of the student opens up the teacher and obliges the teacher to open up and not to close himself. This is called the sorrow of raising children, when the teacher is forced to close himself according to the distance that the students keep from him.

This happens with every student and I have been through this in a very dramatic manner myself. We have to study this state too, in order to understand that we are responsible for everything. The revelation of the teacher and then the revelation of the Creator occur according to the student’s vessels, and according to how he has prepared himself in the work with the friends.

It is only through the connection with the friends that one can yearn for the teacher and through him, for the Creator. We have to find the common passion in this connection and then we find the right direction. Otherwise we don’t and the concealment doesn’t help us.

The teacher teaches you where and how to open an opening through which you can enter the Creator. Imagine that you suddenly discover some concealment in the air somewhere, right here, and by the hints that the teacher gives you (he will never tell you directly and clearly, don’t expect that) you understand how to open a hole in the air and enter.
[142398]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/29/14, Writing of Baal HaSulam

Related Material:
“You Are Carved… On My Heart, All Day And All Night!”
We Need The Right Balance In The Work
There Is No Backstairs Way Up

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Group Work, Spiritual Teacher, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Question: Having gained some experience in Sochi we will disperse to our homes. How should we build the workshops better and continue to improve the way of conducting them?

Answer: The idea is that I cannot hasten events and talk about what is still too early for you to hear. To the degree that you invest effort, you will gradually be changed.

As you change, I am allowed to reveal to you newer and newer aspects of reality, the creation, and its correction. But if you don’t invest effort, I cannot convey anything to you.

I understand that you are eager to get the entire method, the general overview of approach, of description of how to work with the population. But only according to your efforts can I say a little about the general program, about the general infrastructure, and no more. And you will have to try to struggle further so as not to drown.

These efforts create conditions for me to be able to tell you something more. That’s the only way. It is not because I am cruel and want you to suffer, rather it is because you will not have enough sensations to absorb, to take in this material into yourselves so that you will feel it in your desires, sensations, so that you will taste it a little bit. Otherwise, you will not feel it. This is why I act like this. So invest effort!
[140310]
From the International Summer Camp In Bulgaria “Day Two” 7/12/14, Lesson 3

Related Material:
Theory Without Practice Is Fruitless
This Is How The Method Is Created
When The Words End

Filed under: Conventions, Group Work, Inner Work, Spiritual Teacher - No Comments →

Question: Dear teacher,

I would like to thank you for keeping your promise to come to us. When I traveled to this meeting, my heart was filled with love and warmth, as if you were a person close to me.

Answer: Of course, we are close since we are from the same area of Reshimot (spiritual genes). So they were revealed together since we arranged a connection between us in this world. Therefore, we all found each other in the same time and space. It is amazing!

I have a student, who, when I saw him the first time, I was amazed at how he looked at me with deep contempt, with such a look of hatred. That was a few years ago. Today, I look at him and he’s a completely different person.

This indicates that the Reshimot under the influence of the Light determines all of our behavior and all that happens to us.

You can’t imagine what kind of influence these summer months of dissemination to the general public will have. It isn’t important how they are conducted. External success doesn’t imply anything or shouldn’t cause any disappointment. However, the efforts that you invest, both corporeal and spiritual, go toward the calculations of the Masach (screen). Therefore, you need to appreciate that the Creator gave you this opportunity, even though He brings you through great difficulties in this decision. However, in any case, He chose you.
[138803]
From the Sochi Convention 6/9/14, Discussion on the Conclusions from the Activity in Sochi

Related Material:
Spiritual Gene Instead Of The American Dream
A Residence Permit By The Creator’s Decision
How To Start Hearing The Teacher

Filed under: Conventions, Spiritual Teacher, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Question: How should we regard the position of a person who thinks that, even if he doesn’t attain the spiritual level, he is at least advancing toward it?

Answer: This is also praiseworthy. Every person can show signs of weakness, “I probably don’t have the strength. It seems like it’s not for me, but for strong-willed people.” But eventually everyone understands that there is no weaker person than himself and there is no more successful person than himself.

Question: What did you feel when you had just begun your spiritual path, and when you progressed along the path?

Answer: When I began, I was absolutely sure that I would tear everything to pieces and attain the goal! Then, there were short periods, but many, when I felt total despair.

I remember going with my teacher to Tiberias. He slept at night while I sat on the balcony every night looking at the lake, listening to crickets and smoking entire packs of cigarettes. I felt that I was incapable of anything and that nothing would become of me.

These are terrible states—absolute physical, moral, and spiritual weakness. However, everyone goes through this, even if he is with a teacher or in a group. You cannot escape this. However, each of us should have the support of the group. We need the group. It works for me and I work for it, and so we help one another.

Question: Have you ever felt like throwing everything away and leaving?

Answer: Never. Once, when I was in Canada, I was taken to different places and shown places where I was offered a house to buy with a private lake and a forest nearby. I could do it and, as I was told, could live in peace, without thinking about anything.

However, never for a moment did the thought of accepting to leave cross my mind. I understood that the Creator was only playing with me, and, so, I pretended to agree, but never thought of leaving the spiritual path.

In such cases, you must let go and wait, and engage in some daily work, write something and process material. When I feel that I have no more power, I take an article by Baal HaSulam or Rabash and begin to edit it and rewrite it. It is pointless to copy it since you will only ruin everything, but, at the same time, you digest it internally. I think this kind of work is very beneficial.
[138721]
From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 2/12/14

Related Material:
This Is Undoubtedly the Right Place!
One Hundred Percent Confident Of Success
Despair And Confidence: The Components Of A Prayer

Filed under: Group Work, Spiritual Teacher, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Question: What should you do if during a workshop material problems cover you to such a degree that you don’t know how to escape them?

Answer: For each new state, it doesn’t matter if it is positive or negative, it needs to be clarified so that a person can think to himself: “I remain in the previous direction of thoughts.” This is necessary.

You can’t imagine what comes over you during the time of the morning lesson. There are 300-400 men sitting before me and a large number of people connected by Internet. If I weren’t successful in organizing my inner thoughts, then it is unknown what could have happened in the lesson, what could have passed to my students, what a waste, what a mess!

Thoughts can be different: sometimes stupid, sometimes confused, sometimes scary, like in a horror movie. They might be completely out of place: about problems at home, with children, problems connected to sex. Anything is possible! It doesn’t depend on age or on any different factors. All of these thoughts are sent to us so that we will process them.

I cannot think about controlling myself or you. You are, after all, at the beginning of the path.

If I don’t control my thoughts, then my lesson won’t be worth anything. Instead of raising the students, I lower them because they receive everything through me. That is the responsibility of the moderator.

Imagine that you are a body of a mother and an embryo is developing in it, the most precious thing to you. Would you agree to it receiving nourishment that is harmful or incorrect? Therefore, all the states experienced must be controlled.
[138388]
From the Sochi Convention 6/10/14, Lesson 3

Related Material:
Advice On How To Get Up On The Right Foot
How Not To Fall Asleep In Class
Only Preparation Counts

Filed under: Conventions, Group Work, Spiritual Teacher, Spiritual Work, Unity - No Comments →

Our forefathers lived ages ago, but those who are most important for us are our relatives: our grandfather, grandmother, father, and mother. Our mother and father are undoubtedly the most important since it is through them that we connect to all the generations that preceded them.

This refers both to our corporeal parents and to our spiritual parents. This is also how we connect to our upper father and mother (AVI), our spiritual parents, in order to receive the power, the Light, through them. All our work is in subduing ourselves before them.

Everything depends on the extent to which we can take an example from them and our wanting to be like them, to learn from them, and to subdue ourselves before their greatness. Our ego is intentionally meant for us to criticize them, and our work is to ascend above this criticism, although we disagree.

It is natural to disagree with our father and mother because we are on a lower level, but when we ascend above all the doubts, the questions, the difficulties, and the disagreements with the upper level, it is thanks to this that we ascend.

First, we totally nullify ourselves and incorporate in the upper like an embryo. Then, we move to the phase of Yenika (suckling) and Mochin (mind) and become more independent. All these levels are based on self-annulment, the restrictions of the ego, the acquisition of a Masach (screen), and on working above the criticism that is invoked in us toward the upper.

Therefore, the role of the nation is to annul themselves before the sages, the Kabbalists, to listen to them and serve them in any way possible. We actually must use the Kabbalist’s reason and listen to his advice when he tells us which steps we must take in order to advance spiritually.

This is also how we should act with regard to the world. Israel is called Li Rosh (I have a head), and so those who are on the level of Israel and attain spirituality must fulfill their role with regard to others. We either belong to Yashar El (straight to the Creator), and thus guide others, or to the nation, and then we subdue ourselves with regard to this guidance and follow it.

This refers especially to our nation when we try to reach a state in which everything that is written in the Torah is actually taking place in practice. We are the first generation that is trying, that is making an effort, to fulfill the Torah as well as to set an example for others, which means to reach a connection that is equal to the form of the upper, to the Creator’s form.

Thus, we establish relationships in the group and outside the group, among the nation and outside the nation. Thus, everything is organized in levels, in the shape of a pyramid, and the one below who subdues himself more than others, ascends higher than others.

Now, he is below since he has a Reshimo (reminiscence) from the big Masach that he once had and which he fulfilled it in order to bestow. Now that the Masach is shattered, he fell to the lowest level.

If he annuls himself, his ego, rises above it, and each time attributes himself to a level that is higher than he is, he will reach the top of the pyramid. Thus, the whole pyramid becomes a circle, and we return to the state of Ein Sof (Infinity), of one vessel and one Light.

During the time of the corrections, the time of the work, we have no other choice but to subdue ourselves before the upper. Everyone should understand who his upper is and from whom he receives the method, the Torah, the guidance along the way. Then, all the corrections will become the same, which means that they all form a circle.
[138136]
From the Preparation for the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/23/14

Related Material:
A Good Boy Follows His Parents’ Example
Putting My Life In The Hands Of The Guide
A Teacher Who Is Always With You

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Dissemination, Israel, Nations of the World, Spiritual Teacher, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Now everyone is equal, there are no exceptional people in the group and it may remain that way in contrast to all the previous generations since eventually we have to reach a certain Assembly of Kabbalists (“Sanhedrin,” a spiritual guidance).

Although there were differences among the Sanhedrin, we can imagine what hasn’t been fulfilled yet, but we can’t know anything in advance.

We have to act where we are now, find out what our role is and fulfill it. We shouldn’t worry about what may happen in the future. We shouldn’t ask about the future because that would be for our own benefit as our desire to receive is involved.

But with regard to the teacher, you must annul yourself when it comes to spiritual matters, as if you don’t exist. Otherwise, you will not be able to advance. Our advancement is only by annulling ourselves before the upper, so you have no other choice.

It says: “A blow from the elderly facilitates building, while building by the young leads to destruction.” Even if you think that the teacher is wrong, it makes no difference. Let him be wrong, and later you will see how the Creator turns this the other way around so that this mistake becomes a benefit.

There are states in which you have to accept everything that the teacher says without any doubt, to annul yourself, and follow his advice without clarifying why it is so and without wanting any proof. This is a small level of faith.

On a higher level of faith you’ll want to hear explanations as to why the teacher advises you to do certain things; you’ll criticize and see how much you object to a decision because you think differently, but yet you’ll still do it. You should fulfill it as if you have no complaints; you agree with him, and are totally adhered to him. Then you will be adhered to the teacher with entire your ego, especially if before you were against him.

But this is only true for great people. You should always listen to your ego until you can completely adhere to the teacher. It may be only minimal participation when you listen to what you have to do and do it. Perhaps you can invoke your own criticism, see how much you are against it, and still adhere to his opinion more and more. Thus, you grow inside the teacher like an embryo.

The more you annul your ego by fulfilling everything that the teacher wants while you are in complete disagreement, the more you turn yourself upside down like an embryo before leaving its mother’s womb. This is how you are born.

After your birth there is even greater work with more serious doubts and problems. They are typical of the state of smallness, the period of childhood, the wrath of childhood, the different Dinim, and it is always directed towards the upper. All our work is in annulling ourselves before the upper.
[138146]
From the Preparation for the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/23/14

Related Material:
Internal Disagreement With The Teacher Leads To External Distance
There Is No Backstairs Way Up
The Connection Between The Teacher And The Student

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Group Work, Spiritual Teacher, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Question: If everyone has a spiritual mother and father (AVI) through which he receives the power of the Light, who is the teacher who conveys the method to the student?

Answer: The spiritual father and mother are the upper system with which you have to work. Later you will learn what it is, that it is a level that is higher than you.

You will learn how to connect to your spiritual teacher, what level he is on, and how he equates himself and incorporates in the general vessel that you are part of and with the upper Partzuf that is above you. You will discover all this.

We don’t yet see the spiritual hierarchy according to which we are built, and therefore all the students are equal. There are no differences between them. In our current state I don’t see any differences between their souls and cannot see anyone who is higher or anyone who is lower.

There are people who are not mature enough yet in order to advance to spirituality and so they drop out and leave the group. They come for a short while and then leave. But at the moment, I don’t see, among the students who stay, any souls that are closer to correction than others.

Everyone has to make an effort and then he will understand his role better. At the moment we are only getting close to the right effort that is focused on the connection between us. If a person dedicates his soul in order to connect to others in a circle, he actually fulfills himself. Then according to his fulfillment, we may be able to see that the root of his soul is higher.

But this refers only to those who really are “love sick” with regard to the friends.
[138140]
From the Preparation for the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/23/14

Related Material:
“Honor Thy Father And Thy Mother”
“Friend” Means Equal
Hear The Teacher

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Group Work, Spiritual Teacher, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

M. Weisman. “The Midrash Says,” Chapter “Shemini,”: Since Nadav and Avihu were great experts in the Torah, they decided that there is a commandment to place another fire on the altar, besides the one that was given from Above. They phrased the law in the presence of Moses.

Although their legal decision was right, they were punished by death from Above since it is impossible to phrase this commandment in its ultimate form in the presence of your teacher without consulting him.

It is impossible to observe a commandment without connecting to the teacher. It is impossible to rise above him. This hierarchy is kept until the end of correction.

The moment the student cannot overcome the urge to subdue his teacher, he is burnt.

Question: What does it mean to subdue his teacher?

Answer: To express dissatisfaction, criticism, rejection: When will he finally die so we can take his place? This is what is referred to here.

On the whole, all these are natural attributes that have to be revealed and according to which we should act.

Question: What should a student do with such feelings when they are revealed in him?

Answer: We mustn’t interfere in this process. Many think that I don’t see or hear, that I don’t understand the students’ state, but I mustn’t interfere so as not to deny them of their freewill.

The point is that if a person is told about this in advance, he will act as I tell him. So what does he exist for? He will have no judgment of his own nor his own clarifications, his own correction of the soul. You are robbing him of his life.

If you say too much, then that’s it, you have robbed part of his life and he will have to complete it the next time around. Therefore, there are states in which I would give anything to say something, but, at the same time, I must keep quiet.

Couldn’t Moses and Aaron do anything, for example? But the sons have to go through these states when they wait for the death of their father in order to ascend higher than him. They cannot advance otherwise. This is the only way our ego guides a person. These are all natural attributes.

Question: How should we work with these attributes?

Answer: We should prepare for that, in order to take the teacher’s place and to be greater than him.

To prepare means to organize a group that is based on the principle of mutual connection, but at the same time we should remember that when the teacher departs, he ascends to the next level and by that leaves room for you. It isn’t death but an ascent. This means that you have to be prepared to take the level that has been vacated.

Question: Nadav and Avihu who wished for the death of their teachers (in the spiritual sense) in order to take their place or to advance, actually died. Does that mean that they didn’t complete their work on that level?

Answer: Yes, but the principle of the left line, wishing for the death of the teacher, is a natural attribute and state of a student.

All of a student’s work is to draw the right line, to adhere to the teacher, by understanding that this is the only way they can have the intravenous infusion of the Upper Light: both of the correction and of the filling.

There is a constant struggle inside the students. On the one hand, they want to take the teacher’s place, but on the other hand, they draw the right line. Gradually they have to realize that their whole spiritual life flows to them through him like in the circulatory system.
[136899]
From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 1/15/14

Related Material:
The Mission Of Nadav And Avihu
Borrowing A Bit Of Wholeness
Detachment and Connection

Filed under: Group Work, Spiritual Teacher, Spiritual Work, Torah - No Comments →

Question: Suppose I decided that I want to be responsible for everyone. What’s the point if I will fall in five minutes?

Answer: It makes no difference. Five minutes is quite all right. It means that there are already five minutes of our whole life that are worth something and which last forever. All the rest of your life is a waste of time, but you could have lived five minutes!

Question: However, I want to follow the example of Moses!

Answer: Moses is a spiritual level. The Torah doesn’t tell us about historical figures, but about spiritual levels. You also will reach the level of Moses at some point, and instead of your current name, you will be called Moses. Everyone who ascends to a certain level receives the name of that level.

Rabbi Yossi, Rabbi Chiya, and Rabbi Shimon, all these great sages, have names that indicate the spiritual levels they speak from. If we say that someone is someone else’s student, it means that he is on an adjacent level that is near the teacher.

Being a student of a Kabbalist is a very praiseworthy, respectable title. We know that the teacher is on a certain level and the student is one level below, nourished by the teacher.
[136064]
From the 5^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 5/27/14,Writings of Baal HaSulam

Related Material:
Following The Teacher
Changes In The Consciousness Of Society
There Is No Adhesion With The Creator Without Respect For The Teacher And The Group

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Group Work, Spiritual Teacher, Spiritual Work - No Comments →