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Hi Leighton, good question!
The language of roots and branches is a type of code that uses words of our world to describe spiritual phenomena. It’s similar to how binary code works in computers. To us it seems just like a bunch of zeros and ones, but a computer can properly decipher those things and display what those zeros and ones represent.
Likewise with the language of roots and branches, if we’re not in spirituality, Kabbalistic writings seem to us like stories talking about our world. But for Kabbalists, those that are able to decipher these words, they can reveal the spiritual phenomena behind them.
Check out these blog posts from Rav Laitman for more details:
https://laitman.com/2013/09/from-root-to-branch/
https://laitman.com/2010/12/the-spiritual-decoder/
Albert @ KabU
hi!
if the Kabbalah is written in branches of root how does one prevent wrong interpretations of the books?Thanks!
Hi Juan, good question!
We cannot prevent such things. We can only teach people how to properly relate to these books. But even then, relating to the books correctly does not mean that this person will be able to interpret them correctly. This is because the language of root and branches is not something you learn but rather something that comes with spiritual attainment. Without spiritual attainment, we cannot truly understand these things.
It’s like a blind person that is trying to study colors. He can learn the wavelengths behind each one, the different feelings they all evoke, but ultimately he will never truly understand colors. But if this blind person was to undergo an operation and gain his sense of sight, how easy and simple it would be to teach him colors. We would simply point to it and say “this is red”.
It’s the same with the language of roots and branches. It’s currently impossible for us to truly grasp these things. But once we gain our “spiritual sight” we would pick these things up very easily and naturally. And only then can we properly interpret what is written in the Kabbalistic books.
Check out this blog post from Rav Laitman for more details: https://laitman.com/2011/02/why-do-we-need-the-language-of-branches/
Albert @ KabU
In 2009 I developed an infection which has triggered chronic illness. I have been living with this for a long time. This has led me to ask questions like why is there such suffering in the world? If there is a source, a creator who wishes to bestow pleasure, why is there immense suffering?
If the purpose of life is the correction of how to receive that pleasure, then how does chronic illness, physical pain and suffering serve in that final goal? And how can I use the condition of my illness to make that progress for the benefit of us all?
Hi Teike,
The pleasure we know of is not the pleasure set for us to receive in the purpose of creation. The pleasure resides in a different vessel and the vessel we were born with doesn’t know anything about the pleasure in being like the Creator.
The answer to why does it help is the same for any suffering we ever encounter – to point us in the correct direction. If it was up to the body, “just give me the pleasure and leave me alone”, but the Creator isn’t interested in pleasing the body – this temporary animal body that knows 80 years on this planet. He’s interested in raising His creation to a higher level, an eternal level above time and above space – above life and above death – above corporeal suffering and into a different dimension where only you and Him exist together and nothing else.
If we were fascinated only in pleasing ourselves, we’d have no idea what it means to be like the Creator, to share His quality. This is why we have to rise above this paradigm and into something that is against our nature. For us it’s suffering but from His perspective, He’s trying to give us something we’re not able to receive and this is His suffering. The moment we can begin to work with all His actions and all His stimuli as something completely purposeful and directed towards a very specific goal – this is the moment all the “suffering” is mitigated and sweetened since we see without it, we would have had no chance of reaching Him.
Now, these are all just nice words but they don’t make me feel any better. I understand, but He can’t just give us the gift. We have to build the right receptacle to receive the gift. This is on us. This is the desire – the Kli. Certainly, we don’t have it in our own power to do it ourselves, but the desire for it, the need for it is what He hears. If we can aim all our yearning in the right direction, a very precise direction in quality, then this is what evokes a response.
Wishing you the best on the journey,
Chris
First Question: Am I right iu assuming that Ego can work through your surroundings and outside of time (for instance, you are born into a situation that puts you a grave disadvantage, and/or your surroundings misunderstand you and for various reasons build a very disproportionate, negative picture of who you are and accordingly does their best to stop any attempts to make it well in life)?
Second Question: Gil Shir mentions that a big ego can in fact work For you (in the long run). I can see how that is true, but what do you do if right now you have PTSD and ADHD that constantly interferes with your attempts to read, follow a lesson, and think about what you have read or heard? What I’,m saying is that I get constantly side tracked by these things, and trying to study Kabbalah seems to trigger a lot of PTSD, which in turn slows me down. On top of it all I’m a very slow reader…
My who9le life have been building up to this point, to me being able to study Kabbalah, and now I am very afraid that I may not be able to keep up.
I apologize in advance for my lengthy text, and I see the second week has already begun, so I understand if my questions don’t get answered. There will hopefully be another time.
Thank you so much to all our instructors, to Albert, and to my fellow students, for everything.
Hey Jack,
In the first question, I understand what you’re asking. There are two routes here. One, there’s the, let’s say “psychological” route which I suppose you could say, like you mentioned – using the ego. You could find all kinds of ways to try and improve the situation, and really, It’s not just psychological. Let’s say you need to, for instance, take some course to enhance skills or you decide to move locations and “start fresh”. These types of approaches which don’t involve anything you’ve learned or heard about here at KabU, meaning having to do with your attitude towards the guiding upper force and how you relate to it only. I’m also not saying that’s the only approach. It really may be necessary for you to make some kind of changes in this corporeal world, to set yourself down on more “stable ground” so you can focus on what you care about the most. That most certainly may be something you need to do.
Something you would also do is, in parallel, understand where it all comes from and try and engage your point in the heart in the matter. For example, you mentioned the “negative picture of who you are” and here you learn “who you are” is exactly how you were created, and you were created that way on purpose – nothing redundant and nothing by chance – all for the purpose of getting you to come closer to the Source of life.
You don’t have to remind me that this isn’t something that comes naturally nor is it something that a person achieves in one step. There are many steps, many stages, many flavors and colors to this process but it depends on how much a person wants to delve into that kind of work and how much they’re drawn to it depends on the strength of the environment – how much they’ve attached themselves to it.
Regarding the second question, each person has their own path. Not one of us is like the next person. What you’ve got it, your “baggage”, your character, your genes, your upbringing – all of it is necessary for your specific soul to reach correction. We can’t understand the complexity of creation within our logical minds which is why to sense that the Creator is “Good that does Good” has nothing to do with the mind but rather the heart. If the heart doesn’t change, neither will the perception of reality, since perception depends on your contact with the upper force, your similarity to it and therefore the perception of the thought of creation and how/why it has to happen this way.
Appreciate your question and wishing you the best. No matter what you’ll achieve the goal, the question is can you use the carrot or the stick?
Chris
Hi what is the best way to connect with others? Does it make a difference that I live in Australia with different time zones to where the online lessons are held?
Hi Mel,
We are a world wide group. We have students and groups in most countries, including Australia. Each country has its own time zone challenges, but it’s not a barrier that can’t be overcome.
As for the means for connection, right now most of the connection happens through the Q&A forums and live sessions. In the more advanced semesters in KabU, everyone will receive their own virtual Kabbalah group with whom you can put all these things into practice. And after finishing the graduate semester of KabU, there is also the option to join a local KabU group in your area, if that’s what you want.
Albert @ KabU
About the need to find a Master/Teacher: what should that relationship be like? Are they one person or many? Where do I find them (or do they find me)? How important is it to be able to meet them in person and have one-on-one interactions – or can this happen online and in a group setting? Are they more like a coach / mentor, or someone who gives you the knowledge they assess you need and then you go and absorb those things (i.e. like in the traditional teacher-student relationship)?
Hi Marita, great questions!
The teacher is a guide. We have our laboratory, which is the Kabbalistic group, and the teacher guides us on how to properly connect in the group. This is essentially the gist of all of our spiritual work.
Is it one person or many? Right now, there are many instructors that are passing you the foundations of Kabbalah. All the instructors here are senior students of Rav Laitman who have been studying Kabbalah with Rav Laitman for many years and have been extensively trained by KabU to be instructors for beginners. After completing the courses on KabU, you should have a strong enough foundation to connect directly to Rav Laitman’s lessons.
One on one interactions with the teacher are not necessary, since the essence of our spiritual work is group work. But physical contact, especially with the Kabbalistic group, is very important. It’s the foundation of our spiritual work. There is something very special about being in one place, listening to the same thing, breathing the same air, etc. It seems trivial, especially in the post pandemic era, but it’s still a very important part of forming that spiritual connection in the group. This is why we have a few Kabbalah conventions throughout the year, to help us all come together physically once in a while. And the rest of the year, most of the work is done virtually, and that’s perfectly fine.
By the way, there is a KabU retreat happening next week in upstate New York. If you’re able to participate there, it’s highly recommended.
Albert @ KabU
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