- This topic has 2,468 replies, 170 voices, and was last updated 13 hours, 12 minutes ago by
.
Ask any question and get an answer from a KabU instructor! (for tech questions see “Tech Support” Section)
- Replies
Hello,
I have a question concerning something I read from the book Shamati page 21; 166 & 167.
We discern many degrees and discernments in the worlds.
We must understand that there are not more than two degrees, either Kedusha (Sanctity) or Sitra Achra (Other Side).
There is no intermediary state, but the same rod itself becomes a serpent, if thrown to the ground.1. Those degrees describe in the page 21 are they the same as that describe in page 166?
A hand means attainment, from the words, “and if a hand attains.” A rod means that all one’s attainments are built on the discernment of inferior importance, which is faith above reason…..
If the rod is thrown to the ground and one wants to work with a higher discernment, meaning within reason, degrading the above reason, and this work seems low, one’s Torah and the work immediately become a serpent. This is the meaning of the primordial serpent, and this is the meaning of, “Any one who is proud, the Creator tells him: ‘He and I cannot dwell in the same abode.’”
The reason is, as we have said, that He has placed His Shechina on trees and rocks. Hence,if one throws the discernment of the rod to the ground, and raises oneself to work with a higher attribute, this is already a serpent. There is no middle; it is either a serpent, or Kedusha, since all the Torah and the work that one had from the discernment of a rod, all has now entered the discernment of serpent.
2. I got a bit confused with this part. Does it mean that we should not try to work with reason / higher discernment? Will that make me proud if I try to seek to work with a higher discernment?
3. I do understand that faith is important and that there are certain things that require faith. But with all the influence of religions I have a feeling that I don’t have a proper understanding of faith – as this word is really misuse in every sense possible. Hence, what does faith above reason mean in this context please?
4. What is the discernment of the rod and the discernment of the serpent?
Thank you in advanced 🙂
Hi Permal,
1. Any place where the Kabbalist refer to degrees they are referring to ones equivalence of form with the Creator. Every action that brings us closer to the quality of bestowal is considered that we are climbing from one degree to a higher one.
2. In this passage, Baal HaSulam refers to a specific state of one who has already attained the discernment of above reason. In that state, one should add the discernment called within reason only to the extent that it can strengthen one’s work in above reason. Our entire work should be primarily in above reason.
For now, you are working with neither, so you shouldn’t confuse yourself. A student begins their journey in the preparation phase. Once a person has established a more conscious contact with the upper force, we can begin discussing the states of within reason and above reason. About pride, I asked my teacher a similar question once. The answer I got was that even if you feel prideful as a result of a certain action, it is still beneficial. Later we will learn how to add on top of the action the intention of bestowal.
3. Faith above reason means bestowal above reception. A person is born with the quality to receive. This quality governs all of ones thoughts and actions and determines everything that a person does. Through the influence of the reforming light, which one receives through the correct study together in the proper environment, one acquires the intention of bestowal which enables a person to act according to the will of the upper force and the plan of creation. The acquisition of the intention to bestow to the upper force, which is contrary to ones nature, is considered faith above reason.
4. A rod refers to the work of above reason, the intention to bestow without thoughts of self benefit. A serpent refers to the work of within reason, meaning one wishes to advance according to the knowledge they receive and not because they wish to be similar to the Creator and by that to bring Him contentment.
Joseph
good morning
I have a question how to remove the judgement in my life? what kind of verse in Zohar to remove the judgement in my life?
thank you
Hi,
Kabbalists describe the book of Zohar as a remedy, meaning it has a special force within it that brings a person closer to spiritual attainment. This is on condition that a person who reads it wishes to draw closer to the quality of bestowal, which is the quality of the upper force. If a person reads the Zohar with this intention, then it doesn’t matter what part he reads. Ultimately, everything in our life is purposeful. Through the correct study we come to realize that.
Joseph
So the breaking of the communion loaf of bread is Adam Harishon and the goblets of wine were the kli?
Hi Voldsom,
I would recommend not to draw comparisons between the teachings of the Kabbalists and actions of our world. Although such connections do exist, according to the law of root and branch, which indicates that every corporeal phenomenon has a spiritual root, still, this is beyond the scope of this course.
According to the source texts Adam is the one unified corrected and connected soul. And the kli is the spiritual vessel in which we receive the upper light. Stick to the definitions straight from the source texts and things will become clear. Eventually, we will also learn the connection between spiritual phenomena and our corporeal world.
Joseph
What if I could not bind the links between tiferet and other seflrots? Indeed, I have got about hypothesis but it is not valid due to my situation. This kind of broke links between seflrots could made persons mad or crazy and last 5 years I got hospitalized two times and my pschologic ill is dissociative disorder identify. Multi-personalities. And for me each of my alter ego is represented one of sefira. But among the way of sides are so complexity on my consciousness background.
this pschologic and psychiatristic diagnose can not be my magnificence, if it is my server ego has to stay tiferet point nearly always in stabile, even I desire this option solidly, chain between sefira that on Yakub stair would not let my breath thoughly.How could I solve this connection problem?
(deep note, I am from Turkey and half blood coming from Sebatay,Zvi. From religional perspectives I used to social practices which are changed in time and could see obviously ‘real egos’ my family around and Islamic society.)
Hello,
An individual does not make connections between the sefirot. This is done by the upper force according to the desire in a person’s heart to achieve adhesion with the Creator through equivalence of form with the quality of bestowal.
Whatever a person wants on the path to spiritual attainment, one must simply ask. Our entire work is nothing more than formulating the correct request that will receive an answer. But this must be for the sake of others and not for myself.
Joseph
I wonder about the humans who have lived entirely unaware of any collective soul. What happens to them? Do they still exist unpercieved? Or what of people alive today who are “not awake” or further, I wonder if we are contributing to a shattering by creating new lives, are these (children) lives more pieces? Any response is appreciated. I doubt I am the only one who wonders about these things.
Hi Melissa,
Those who have not yet awakened to the work of the Creator, meaning those who have not yet been given the desire to connect with Him, are as babies in the arms of their loving mother. They are completely governed by the Creator and exist in absolute adhesion with Him.
Only those who have an independent desire for adhesion can be considered as separate from Him on the path to attaining Him. About those people we can talk about distance or closeness with the Creator, revelation and concealment, etc. For the rest of the world they exist in the perfect state, and one should primarily focus oneself on what inner changes one must undergo in order to see the perfection that exists outside of oneself, to see the world the way the Kabbalists describe it to us.
There are other aspects of this method that deal with how do we practically bring others closer to the end goal, but we will learn this at a later stage.
Joseph
Greetings Melissa.
As unchecked egoism and ignorance resolves itself people will procreate less recklessly. But whether it is 100 children or 100 million children, all are part of one (1) force called the ‘will to receive’.
Unperceived by whom? RE: “Do they still exist unpercieved?”
All humans are unaware of the collective soul (until they become aware), that’s the purpose of creation .. think of a seed in the dark unaware of the light until it gets there or a lion cub unaware of his status as lion king. All will get there eventually – that’s the design and purpose from the beginning. From reception to bestowal.
No creature is ‘unperceived’.
People who are not awake will eventually become awake – in this life or another – that is the entire purpose of disconnection in the first place – that is our starting point. We are involved in a process; each one of us.
The thought of creation is to ‘create a creature and bring it to complete fulfillment’ using the ‘force of development’ to reach ‘equivalence of form’.
A fruit seed needs in the beginning. In the end it gives. Even a vegetable reaches ‘equivalence of form’ in its own way – after a process of development.
Everything and everyone returns to the Creator eventually.
The Creator is responsible for the shattering (there is none else besides Him), but I think we humans (egoists) definitely play a role in the duration of our disconnection.
I am not a teacher. Maybe one will elaborate further?
Michael
Hi Kenny,
Yes, it is actually today. You can find all the info here.
Joseph
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.