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Hello dear instructor,
“Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on the environment.” Please help my mind understand this statement.
(I just finished Kabbalah Revealed 2, so my understanding about the definition of the word “environment” could be incorrect.) In my understanding, the environment consists of 3 parts: a teacher/guide, books, and friends.
How “Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on” the teacher/guide?
How “Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on” the books?
How “Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on” the friends?
Thank you very much! Blessings,
Hi Hing,
How “Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on” the teacher/guide?
When Kabbalists refer to the greatness of the Creator, we have to understand that have no connection to this concept. There are no examples we can learn from in this world. So in order to continue without deviation towards the goal we must learn from one who has already attained higher degrees. It’s like being in Italy for the first time. In order to know my way around I might follow a tour guide, and in this way I learn for myself what the guide too knows.
How “Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on” the books?
The wisdom of Kabbalah is the method of attaining the Creator while living in this world. This method can only be passed directly from teacher to student. This is why Kabbalists wrote their books. They wish to guide us to attain what they attained. Their books, the authentic source texts, primarily the writings of Baal HaSulam and the Rabash, act as a method that a person can come to know the Creator—like steps of a ladder a person climbs rung by rung on the path of adhesion with the Creator. But without the books a person would have no idea how to format themselves properly to be suitable for a conscious connection with the Creator. This is similar to a person in Italy who uses a map to get from point A to point B.
How “Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on” the friends?
The path we undergo towards attainment of the Creator eventually leads a person to a state where he must choose it in spite of not having a desire for it. The Creator removes the desire from a persons heart in order to build a stronger and more true one—one that will ultimately lead a person to the desired goal. This is assuming that one learns how to work through these states. For this, a person needs a group of friends who also aspire towards the same goal. Together, they help each other, reminding one another about what they once found to be so important. By correctly incorporating oneself in the environment, including the friends, one is capable of renewing their desire for spirituality every day and continue developing in the fastest and most comfortable way. This is similar to a person who travels to Italy, and loses contact with their guide, and then they lose their map. So what does one do? Asks directions from those nearby him. And eventually he finds his way.
Joseph
Hello,
To be able to grasp a better understanding of what is written in the book of Shamati (an amazing book by the way), I realised that I have to understand some key words that are constantly repeating themselves in this book and even in the videos that you make. For instance, I would sincerely appreciate your help in that matter to get a proper understanding while studying or get a solid base 🙂
“It is written, “there is none else besides Him.” This means that there is no other force in the world that has the ability to do anything against Him. And what man sees, that there are things in the world that deny the Higher Household, the reason is that this is His will.”
“Things in the world that deny the Higher Household” – I understand that it must mean that there are situations/events/results that push us to believe that there is a conflict of forces (for example a war between good and evil) when in reality, this is not the case (correct me if I’m wrong here).
However, I have three main questions for that paragraph :
1. What does the term “Higher Household” mean here?
2. What exactly is “His will”? How can we really know “His will”?
3. How can we be sure that it is “His will”, and not fall in the illusion of thinking that it is “His will” when actually it is our will? Because as human we often fall prey to this deception, if you see what I mean.“And it is deemed a correction, called “the left rejects and the right adducts,” meaning that which the left rejects is considered correction. This means that there are things in the world, which, to begin with, aim to divert a person from the right way, and by which he is rejected from Sanctity.”
4. It is the correction of what?
5. What is the meaning of “left” and “right”? Why choosing those specific words?
6. Why is it that the “left” rejects and the “right” adducts? Why not the “right” rejects and the “left” adducts? Is there a pecularity to the “left” and “right”?
7. What does it reject and adduct?
8. What is the “right way”? Is there a “wrong way”?
9. What is the meaning of “Sanctity” here? I do understand generally speaking that sanctity is the state or quality of being holy or sacred (that is being put apart for a specific purpose). So I want to know if it has the same definition in this context. Does “Rejected from Sanctity” mean being “rejected from our purpose”?“And the benefit from the rejections is that through them a person receives a need and a complete desire for the Creator to help him, since he sees that otherwise he is lost. Not only does he not progress in his work, but he sees that he regresses, that is, he lacks the strength to observe Torah and Mitzvot even in Lo Lishma (not for Her Name). That only by genuinely overcoming all the obstacles, above reason, can he observe the Torah and Mitzvot. But he does not always have the strength to overcome above reason; otherwise, he is forced to deviate, God forbid, from the way of the Creator, even from Lo Lishma.”
Correct me if my comprehension is not correct please : Here I understand that the “rejections” of the “left” (which I don’t know what it represent or mean) develop a “need and a desire” in a person, and this need/desire is “for the Creator to help him”.
10. Does it mean that we receive help from the Creator to achieve equivallence of form with Him?
11. What is ” Lo Lishma (not for Her Name)? What does it mean?
12. Does “above reason” in all those writings means “contrary to one’s nature (that is the will to receive, hence will mean the will to bestow)”?I know that there are a lot of questions and it is very long. But I sincerely try to understand it and apply all that knowledge in my life. And I could not see any other place where someone could give me those answers.
Thank very much for your time, patience and kindness.
Orly
Hi Orly,
1. What does the term “Higher Household” mean here?
The thought of the Creator which is to create a creature and fill it with pleasure.
2. What exactly is “His will”? How can we really know “His will”?
The Kabbalists tell us that His will is to bring us to a state of perfection and fulfillment. Initially we do not know this and have not revealed it. So in the beginning, we must follow those who have traversed this path before us. Eventually, we must also reach this same discovery for ourselves. When we acquire the quality of bestowal, we become similar to Him, and then we begin to understand “His will.”
3. How can we be sure that it is “His will”, and not fall in the illusion of thinking that it is “His will” when actually it is our will? Because as human we often fall prey to this deception, if you see what I mean.
Without the guidance of the teacher it is certain that a student will fall into illusion. That is why this wisdom can only be passed from teacher to student. The measurement is to what extent I undergo self change—from receiving to bestowal.
4. It is the correction of what?
The correction is over our intention. We were created with the intention to receive, but this causes separation from the Creator. Accordingly, in order to achieve connection with Him, we must correct our intention to be in order to bestow.
5. What is the meaning of “left” and “right”? Why choosing those specific words?
Left and right refer to the two forms of development we undergo, both of which complement each other. From the left we feel that the Creator is not as the Kabbalists describe Him, “The Good that does Good,” and “There is None Else Besides Him.” We feel there are many forces working in the world and we can develop in any of several ways besides adhesion with Him. Reality is split into many disconnected pieces. On the right our purpose is clear, we understand why things happen in our life, and we arrange ourselves according to our ultimate spiritual goal because we understand that everything in this world ultimately serves that purpose.
6. Why is it that the “left” rejects and the “right” adducts? Why not the “right” rejects and the “left” adducts? Is there a pecularity to the “left” and “right”?
7. What does it reject and adduct?
The left rejects because this is a time when the Creator moves away from a person giving them the freedom to make efforts to draw nearer. This is a time of prayer as it’s felt that the Creator is distant. Hence, a person is rejected from spirituality. The right is a time when a person feels the Creator has drawn closer. Through an increased equivalence of form a person feels a certain degree of adhesion with His quality.
8. What is the “right way”? Is there a “wrong way”?
The right way is to strive to see that everything comes from the Creator and that it is all for a persons benefit in order to bring one closer to Him. At times, a person is unable to make this effort. Any thought that goes against this perception is considered the wrong way, but even this is also sent from the Creator. A person later realizes these difficulties were specifically given to Him to further strengthen one’s desire to attain spirituality.
9. What is the meaning of “Sanctity” here? I do understand generally speaking that sanctity is the state or quality of being holy or sacred (that is being put apart for a specific purpose). So I want to know if it has the same definition in this context. Does “Rejected from Sanctity” mean being “rejected from our purpose”?
Sanctity is bestowal. To be rejected from sanctity means that we reach a state where we no longer wish to achieve adhesion with the Creator.
<b>10. Does it mean that we receive help from the Creator to achieve equivalence of form with Him?</b>
Yes. The rejections give birth to a true desire.
11. What is ” Lo Lishma (not for Her Name)? What does it mean?
Lo Lishma means that a person still does not work for the sake of bestowal, but for self reception.
12. Does “above reason” in all those writings means “contrary to one’s nature (that is the will to receive, hence will mean the will to bestow)”?
Yes, well said. Sometimes the actions we are instructed to do by the Kabbalists do not make sense to our will to receive, which does not agree to change to be in order to bestow. In those moments, one should try to rise above their egoistic reason, which is preventing them from making the correct efforts, and act according to a higher reason—the advice of the Kabbalists, the influence of the environment, and the will of the Creator.
Hi Gil. Reason for pause. And what is “back” in the great spiritual world and Kabbalah? . Is this normal? And most importantly, what is the solution?
Good evenning, i have a question, reading on the book of Kabbalah fot the student. a human without a soul, is simple inanimate matter, right? so when we died, our body or container becomes what it always was, what all is, simple matter without life. So, my question is, ¿Are animals and plants also made out of a soul? and more interestingly, ¿what are microorganism?
Than you.
Hi Ricardo,
A human without a soul is as an animal in this world, meaning they exist in an unconscious connection with the upper force. A conscious and reciprocal connection with the upper force is called a soul.
Plants and animals are created, to begin with, in complete adhesion with the Creator, but this is in an unconscious manner. They receive everything they need directly from that force, and all their actions exist in accordance with the ultimate plan of nature. The same is true for microorganisms or anything else in this world.
The only part of creation that must rise to a conscious connection are human beings. Hence, it is only we who must carry out the work of coming closer to this force by building our soul.
Joseph
After course: “Kabbalah Revealed – Part 2” ends there is a link to “Start Kabbalah in Action Now” that doesn’t function.
So how can I access to ‘Kabbalah in Action’?
Hi Joseph,
despite the fact I have completed Kabbalah revealed and Kabbalah revealed 2, I can not access course Kabbalah in action. It says I need to complete first course Kabbalah revealed 2. What I have done. So I dont understand what else should I do in order to be able to apply course Kabbalah in Action. Could you please provide consultation how can I apply to this course?
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
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