Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Book of Zohar“: And yet, we understand that according to the Thought of Creation, there was no need to create anything more than that will to receive. This is because this new creation is sufficient for Him to fulfill the entire Thought of Creation, which He had thought to bestow upon us. But all the filling in the Thought of Creation, all the benefits He had planned to render us, stem directly from His essence (Atzmuto), and He has no reason to recreate them, since they are already extracted, existence from existence, to the great will to receive in the souls. Thus we evidently see that all the substance in the generated creation, from beginning to end, is only the “will to receive.”

Baal HaSulam emphasizes that there is Atzmuto, the original root, from which the action originates. The action of the Creator is the created being. But created beings do not originate from the Creator Himself; He creates them out of nothing. What comes from Him is the decision, but the “material” from which they are created, is produced out of nothing. This is the act of creation. The Creator did only this.

We are unable to understand and do this. We reveal every thought, every decision, everything in which the attitude of Atzmuto to creation is expressed. This is what we do not know at all. However, we discover His attitude toward us. This is called the “thought of creation.”

Question: Do we create anything new that was not in creation? Otherwise, how do we become similar to the Creator?

Answer: No. We become similar to Him by the properties, but not by creation. Being His created beings, we cannot create anything new. We accumulate, combine forces, so that the likeness of the Creator is formed in us. However, this cannot be called a “new creation” because we use the forces and “materials” that have been created. We do not create.

Question: But the revelation of the Creator, isn’t it creation?

Answer: No. The concept of “creation” (Beria – בריאה) means something external, extending beyond the limits of the existing (Bar – בר), “existence out of absence.” We already use the existing means and carry out correction, imitating creation. We reveal what already exists and thus return to the world of Infinity.
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From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/30/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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When we advance in our work, we first have to accept that there is no evil without goodness and that there is no goodness without evil. We have to reach the final state in which all of the evil is revealed and in against it all the goodness; one sustains the other as “the advantage of the Light in the darkness.” The greater the darkness, the better chance we have to discover a greater Light in contrast to it.

This is how the creation is arranged because we always find in it two forces, two parts, two attributes, which are basically the Creator and the created being.

So if we want to advance, we have to know in advance that we can do so only by increasing the negative force and the positive force in contrast to it. But the negative force grows first; as it says: “And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” So they keep appearing alternately, the negative force and the positive force, negative and positive.

Our role is to find the place for the middle line in which we can exist and determine our balanced states. This balance is possible only if we unite and connect. Then each one adds his own state to everyone else, and thus we bring everyone to a state of balance.

If we examine the balance point, we will discover HaVaYaH in it that is direct and opposite, the ten Sefirot of the Direct Light and the ten Sefirot of the Returning Light, which is a whole spiritual structure called a Partzuf. This is the structure that reaches a state of balance.

It is an elementary principle, two opposite forces that reach a state of balance and thus establish all of reality.
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From the Preparation to the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/27/13

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There is only one force that draws me to the reality together with all the people and this world. I need to reach the state in which I will see, in reality, the only one force that operates it. Although this world will remain in my perception, I will, nevertheless, see only one force that clothes in it and operates it.

So, why do so many people, animals, and this huge universe surround me? Why does the world divide into such a tremendous amount of pieces, instead of being one material, one desire? But, it is specifically there where the uniqueness of this world lies, that is, that it appears to us to be separate from the spiritual world. This picture, specifically because it is imaginary and doesn’t exist in connection with the Creator, can be seen in us even when we reach Gmar Tikkun (end of correction). This is a very special form of reality.

Thus, we ascend the spiritual ladder and see how the Creator is clothed in the entire world, which is on the same level that we are on. The Creator rules all the attributes of the upper worlds, but still this world remains. This corporeal form remains, seemingly outside of the spiritual space. I can feel spiritual levels that are very different, that differ very much from each other, but the form of the corporeal world remains intact in my five senses.

This is the wonder that allows us to work on the perception of the upper force.
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From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/19/13, Shamati #15 “What Is Other Gods in the Work”

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Question: What is a correct effort?

Answer: Our level of spirituality is outside of the boundaries of the spiritual realm. Our level is unique because of the possibilities it offers and is much more important than all other spiritual levels, since only at our stage does the miraculous combination of the desires to receive and to bestow exist. No other levels have this.

Only at our level, playing as children, can we become more intelligent and mature. It is similar to a child in this world who doesn’t have developed senses, an intellect, any understanding or knowledge of the way big systems around him work, and yet, all of a sudden the child becomes intelligent. In other words, a child runs these systems unconsciously without any idea that they even exist, without a clue which particular state he is supposed to achieve. He doesn’t know or see anything; all he does is play because he is driven by his natural instincts to grow up.

We lack this kind of natural aspiration; other than that, we are just like children. We have all the means that allow us to attain this desire. If we are permanently warmed up by our surroundings and if it kindles our envy, lust, ambition, and a desire to be better than others, we start aspiring to some goal that is yet unknown to us. We have no clue what we want to receive; however, it seems to us that others have something that we don’t.

We already have all qualities and desires that were given to us by nature. All we need is to organize these qualities and desires correctly, to build a system of relationships between us so that our friends keep inspiring us with the greatness of the goal, and we are worried that others are already ahead of us.

Later, they show me an example of how to help each other, suggesting that this attitude is extremely important and leads to spirituality. Envy is the main thing here! Our egoism is ignited by envy and suffers greatly. If we tightly connect ourselves with the surroundings and happen to understand that there is nowhere to run, then even though envy is a negative sensation, by nature it doesn’t push us behind, but rather, pulls us ahead and leads us to success.

Getting this desire is already a success. The desire is not ours. We receive it from the group as a reward for not running away from them, but rather for bowing our head in front of them and clinging to them. All these methods can be purely material to the extent that we can even pay money to our friends for the desire we receive back from them, as Rabbi Zushi who hired street musicians so that they would inspire him. Or, we can cook a meal for our friends, thus inputting our exertions so that they eventually influence us back.

We receive a spiritual aspiration from our friends, but, in fact, it is still a desire for material success, since all we want is to become more significant, smarter, better in everything. No matter how much we try, we just cannot think of spirituality since we are still in egoism, at this side of Machsom. However, it is already strong enough to attract the Light that Reforms.

It turns out that at this level we have a chance to work and influence the next step that is above us and to attract the Light from there as a magnet that draws things that are in another room through walls.

Really, how can the Light influence us if we are not adapted to it? We are opposite to the Light as if we are in anti-worlds. And yet, everything is set up in a way that the transition between the two stages, between us and the closest spiritual step from which we receive the sparks of the Light, is just a hindrance. The Light can impact us and change us in accordance with its nature, with the desire of the Upper level. So, we can agree with It and start entering this higher level, as a fetus enters a mother’s womb, and then grow first to a small state and then to a “big state” (Ibur – Yenika – Mochin), until we completely merge with it.

That’s why we should value the state we are in at this time and use the level that is called “this world” correctly: all of humanity, our loved ones, our neighbors, our studies, our groups. There is nothing we actually need more than that. We already have all essential things at our disposal; we just have to organize them correctly.
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From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah lesson 11/27/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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Efforts that are required for our advancement are beyond human powers because the desire to enjoy alone cannot free itself from egoism. However, we can act in a way that we move towards correction to the best of our ability in the circumstances that were prepared for us by the Light.

So far, our exertions are associated with our current level; that is, they are at still, vegetative, and animate levels. However, if we make all the necessary efforts at an animate level, the Upper Light will start influencing and changing us. The quantity of efforts needed will be breached and the Upper Light will finish the work as it is said: “applied efforts and found…”

However, if the Light rules everything there is and influences our desires, how can we possibly make any efforts, even the tiniest moves? There is nothing but the Light and the desire that opposes it. The third, additional force that allows us to act is a result of the shattering of the desire.

It means that there are multiple splinters of the desire around us that are detached from each other because of their egoistic nature. If we acted at our “level” and tried to become closer together with others, we would “change” under the influence of the Light. This world is the last and the lowest step in the Universe that allows us to act against our own will. That’s why one is able to unite with one’s friend as if they were brought closer together by the Light. This isn’t really real; desires do not change because of our actions, and yet our impact on the Light does change and that’s why the system works.

The miracle happens at the level of this world that is so low and minor that it is completely opposite to spirituality. On one hand, this world is totally detached from the spiritual realm; on the other hand, it presents to us a wonderful chance that allows us, through physical and external convergence and false actions to influence our internal desires. Our internal desires impact the Light that Reforms, which in its turn begins secretly influencing us until it truly changes our desire.

It means that even though we dwell in this world and have not advanced too far beyond monkeys, we still have an internal possibility to grab the end of a thread that is extended to us from Above, which will pull us out into the world of the Upper Light. If we use the remedies that are given to us and if we understand that they are granted to us from Above, we will trigger the vital awakening from below (itaruta de-letata) that will in its turn elicit the awakening from Above (itaruta de-leila).

To achieve it, all we need is a clear understanding of the sequence of work to be done: what exactly we have to achieve and what the Light actually is. This kind of understanding will protect us from making mistakes and from false expectations about salvation coming without our preliminary exertions and thinking that with time everything will be organized all by itself. One should never be misled to think that there are people who can easily overcome all stages, and who do not have to go through the “four hundred (400) years of exile.” They just don’t exist. We should keep in mind that we have to do everything ourselves and work hard to build a group, attain unity, and mutual guarantee and reveal the power of connection between us.

If we realize that we are given every possible remedy to achieve the result we aspire for, to implement the purpose of our life, we will not be despaired; rather, we will proceed with our work and achieve success. Besides, after all calculations are done, we will have to rise above the results and understand that the mere opportunity to apply efforts is in fact the reward we seek!
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From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah lesson 11/27/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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Question: You say that in our time a new type of ego is being discovered. Perhaps you can characterize it?

Answer: The new type of ego awakens in us the question: “Why does man exist?” It summons in us the need to discover the second positive force in nature so that it won’t swallow itself like a cancerous tumor that eats the entire surrounding space and therefore dies since it has nothing from which to be nourished.

Question: It follows that it appears from a lack of energy and therefore it needs the energy of the altruistic force.

Answer: Yes. But the idea is that in the past the ego had nourishment from which it grew and realized itself; whereas today, a stage has been reached in which the ego needs to develop together with its opposite power in order to create the next level.

In other words, the previous developmental stages were the still, vegetative, animate, and speaking nature. However, now it’s necessary to develop a new spiritual component. And when it appears, then with the right connection between egoism and altruism, some kind of means will be created from ourselves that is composed of the two forces. Within this useful tension between plus and minus, between the positive and negative force, we create what will be called “man.” Today we are becoming the mechanical executors of our inner egoistic force.
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From Kab TV’s “An Integral World” 10/24/13

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Rabash, “Love of Friends”: The most important thing is to always remember the purpose of creation, which is known to be “to do good to His creations.”… In other words, the purpose of creation is not necessarily for a select group, rather the purpose of creation belongs to all creations without exception. It concerns not necessarily merely the strong and skillful, the brave people who can overcome, but all the people.

See the “Introduction to Talmud Eser Sefirot,” Item 21, Midrash Raba, Parashat “This is the Blessing”: The Creator said unto Israel: “Regard the whole wisdom and the whole Light are easy things. He who fears Me and does deeds of Torah, the entire wisdom and Light are in his heart.”…and do not despair mid-way and flee the campaign, but rather believe that the Lord can even help the person as low and ignoble as I am. It means that the Creator will bring me near Him and I will be able to attain adhesion with Him.

The main thing is patience, perseverance! Anything, just don’t run away, and eventually you will reach fear. Fear begins with the usual animal fear of blows. Gradually, it becomes more and more clarified. Thus, we come to the blows by our egoism, pride. Then there will be blows of envy, similar to those that we received yesterday when we heard about the extraordinary achievements of the group that is now working on the program of integral education.

This news deprived many of sleep, but it is useful because this helps us to make a good discernment. Now, we understand a bit better what envy means on the spiritual level. I just needed to turn this envy from “Why don’t I have this?” to the opposite, as much as it is possible, to push the friends forward to success. This is very difficult.

Everything depends on the concern, fear for the common well-being, to the highest states. Each of these experiences includes many feelings: fear, envy, greed, and ambition. At the beginning, they work as negative factors, but then it is necessary to take them from zero, to move them to the positive side.

There is a beautiful, positive form against any negative quality. But it is awakened in a person only accordingly to his love of friends. Thus we can turn malicious envy, poisonous hatred, into something constructive, for useful advancement, etc. One property exists against the other: nothing disappears. If a person is advancing correctly, then all the basics are constantly growing, continuing to burn in him more and more.

There is a type of hatred which is called “hatred in service of the Creator.” That is, I care about the success of the Creator’s army, all my friends. I do everything for their support, like a mother who is worried that her children are healthy, strong, steadfast, and loving each other. My heart aches for all of them.

I begin to distinguish between myself and my egoism. For the time being, my egoism still has its power; it helps me to fight for my connection with the group, for its support. This is our work until the end of correction. Our egoism will grow and prosper, helping us to reveal all fine details one against the other.

Otherwise, how can I find out? There must be positive jealousy, negative ego, and altruistic fear. Otherwise, I will lose the flavor. We cannot “just love” or “just envy,” we have no system of measurement if two points do not exist simultaneously.
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From the Preparation for the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/29/13

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Question: How can we organize the mutual cooperation in the group so I will change it and it will change me in return? Are the articles of Rabash enough for us today or do we need to add something to it?

Answer: You should determine what we have to add to the articles of Rabash. Everyone adds something. It’s as if everyone rewrites the entire Torah. The Torah is not a book but actually a person’s whole attitude towards the Creator, towards everything that comes from Above.

A person has to rewrite the Torah, as it says: “Write it on your heart.” He has to write the Torah back from himself to the Creator, about the upper Providence and everything that was created, about everything that descends upon a person from Above and is arranged for him. A person has to respond internally and return it to the Creator. This is called “writing the book of the Torah.”

So everyone is called “a student who renews the words of the Torah,” since he does it by himself, out of his desire and he writes what no one else can write, none of the parts of that infinite desire. Everyone writes by himself.

Therefore, there is the commandment for everyone to write a book of the Torah. In the past, people actually sat down and wrote it.

You are asking if we have to add anything to the articles of Rabash, yet each time you read an article, you understand it differently, it means that you rewrite it, add something to it and write your own article. Every time! All this is written because you work with your desires. Every time you organize your desires differently, it’s all added to the general desire, to the general correction, until all these forms reach the end of correction (Gmar Tikkun); this is called writing.
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From the 2^nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/24/13, The Zohar

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The Zohar — Selected Excerpts, Parshat, “VaYikhael,” Item 112: Now that the upper King and Queen (Malchut) are in bonding and joy in those kisses, he who needs to ask questions and make requests shall make them because then is a time of good will.

Question: What is a “time of goodwill?”

Answer: A person has to look for chance and for a time of goodwill that is illuminated upon him from Above. This is actually true, the giving of the Torah occurs every moment, and every moment you have good opportunities. The Creator has no time, there is no today or tomorrow. It’s all with regard to a person who attains spirituality and all the changes are for the better or for the worse. It sounds as if the Creator is changing, turning from side to side, to the good side and to the bad side. A person feels all these changes inside him.

So we have to look for the opportune moment and not relegate it to the Upper Providence: “I will wait and perhaps things will change one day. Tomorrow will be better.” What does it mean “tomorrow will be better?” Today, the next moment, you will create a state called “tomorrow!” You cannot do so if your animal doesn’t allow that, if you are seriously ill, God forbid, or if you are very tired, since we don’t exist above the body yet. But if you can, then there is no such thing as a time of goodwill from Above, but only from below; everything depends on your efforts.

Although we do sometimes feel that a “cloud” covers us and that we are in the dark or things are blurry, we should wait and it will pass. It says: “Time does what the mind doesn’t do.” So does that mean that there are good and bad times?

Still it’s all with regard to a person, as Baal HaSulam says: “and he who can wait until tomorrow will attain his mind when his life is over.” There is no tomorrow in spirituality. Don’t wait even a second!
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From the 2^nd Part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/24/13, The Zohar

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Question: As far as I understand, the process itself of building a new combination between egoism and altruism will be very difficult for all people individually.

Answer: It could be very easy because this is not personal work but essentially group work. This method is applicable in the correct organization of an educational learning process.

Question: What happens with the desires for wealth, power, and knowledge that have always constituted the motivational force of the ego?

Answer: Everything that we approach today, without the choice of the authorities who want to calm people down through a “daily ration” necessary for existence, is particularly close to what the wisdom of Kabbalah or Integral Education is saying.

In other words, we must be satisfied with a normal and reasonable material existence. Everyone must have his own dwelling, room or corner where he will feel comfortable, the essential food, shoes, clothing, and all the rest.

And all the rest of the fulfillments and development he will get only through learning in the system of Integral Education. For him there will no longer be the explosions of the former needs. On the contrary, the moment that the person begins to develop integrally, he will understand that he can attain a reasonable material existence, give a normal education to his children, and live comfortably without fear of going outside; he will get inner fulfillment.

Besides inner fulfillment, we must give our body what is required for its normal functioning: healthy nourishment, clean air, restful sleep, and so forth. We must relate to the physical body like a pet that lives with us, wash it, let it sleep, feed it, and no more.

During all the rest of the time, we develop the person within the framework of Integral Education. We are involved with this all day: courses, lectures, study, games, and personal development. We have many possibilities for developing this system together with the all the others. The entire world is before us.

And the main thing is that in accordance with this we feel more and more fulfillments and discoveries, as if we are discovering new worlds for ourselves every day! We don’t need to wait for payday once a year to travel somewhere for a week because we feel fulfilled day to day, every hour.
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From Kab TV’s “An Integral World” 10/24/13

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