[csilla]

i suppose that societal dilemmas in a world, in which individuals are connected through the spiritual principle of love, would be of a different sort than we’re used to and i’m not sure what they would be. However, if the present circumstances were approached from such a paradigm, i’d suppose fixing such dilemmas would be resolved as easily as the conflicts arise, since, rather than fighting arbitrarily to protect one’s self, family, social group, club, organization, etc, the resolution would sought be beyond individual interest. Scarcity of resources might cause a persisting problem and, i’d suppose a lot of people would prefer going without to make room for others… (obviously, in such a scenario, i’d suggest self-abnegation or wtv similar concept shouldn’t be based on negative self-judgment, etc, but altruistic). I’m not sure, but in many communities where there is a general interconnection based on the spiritual practice of love, the idea of leaving some for others, doing without and so on is as common as it is natural and when such behaviour is found lacking (in one’s self or others), patience and understanding arise while waiting for the level of spiritual practice to develop in the person (or one’s self) with the help of the Reforming Light… let’s wait and see ! 🙂

[csilla]

i’m answering this question rather later than intended, since i am almost through the follow up course and noticed i’m at 96% complete here…. sorry, for the late share, but as i recall i think the information from the intro courses were very different. Through academics, which are accompanied by experiences – especially so in Kabbalah, i’m more at ease to connect through sharing the learning process. the excitement of learning can be shared more easily for me, than sharing and connecting while learning about connecting. So, for me it’s quite a challenge to be so aware of connecting, and, i’ve discovered a sense of obligation to connect that others probably won’t feel so acutely, since i’ve always taken a very long time to let others in. So, on a global scale, i’d say the Reforming Light is pushing me to confront and grow. On a clearly positive note, the course has led me to consider others in my life in a new light and perspective, i’d say, to a point of recognizing others more fully in their own independent essence and being, in their own worlds, so to speak, beyond the casual social interactions that transpired prior to the course. unlike academic knowledge, connection takes time to learn and grow in a real way, through ‘action’ and through ‘experience’… i’m hoping for the best. i truly am; and offer thanks 🙂

[csilla]

it seems that many spiritual seekers of truth depart from their original environments and mutual support can help them feel at home in their new environment. Avraham left, as commanded to do so, in Breishit 12:1 And the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.” and so, many embarking on a spiritual journey will become alienated from themselves and original environment in various ways. Yet, also written in the Torah is a commandment for being kind to the proselyte/foreigner, since “you were foreigners once in the land of Egypt” (a bit vague on the exact reference for this one, but the idea is there). However, sources abound: Blanche Dubois in Tennessee William’s Streetcar Named Desire “i’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers”, and the song ‘we all need somebody to lean on’ … oh, but the point is that we can be the person that others rely on or need to lean on, and, in so doing, we somehow draw the Reforming Light, maybe by putting ourselves in a ‘lower’ position, thereby allowing the spiritual downpour from Above? well, originally i meant “lower” as in a humble sense of ‘serving’ another’s spiritual need (rather than one’s own), but together with the kindness commandment, maybe the spiritual downpour of the Reforming Light can also be explained as coming from performing a commandment with the right intention. finally, maybe, it’s in the role of Bestowing…

[csilla]

maybe if the Point of the Heart depends somehow on Kabbalah to a certain degree, then sharing can awaken it in others through talking about it and, also, thereby perhaps is a way of making my connection to others based on Kabbalah and hopefully the awakened Point of the Heart in others

[csilla]

While we are learning about and working on Connection, i don’t remember signing up for the below reminder app, and it’s been going to spam for 6 weeks without my knowing, but wonder if it’s the Upper Force that brought me to look in spam and find it today…  (of all days ! )

A Spiritual Guide to the Counting of the Omer
Forty-Nine Steps to Personal Refinement
Day Six of Week 6: Yesod of Yesod

Examine the bonding aspect of bonding. The forms it takes and its level of expression. Every person needs and has the capacity to bond with other people, with significant undertakings and with meaningful experiences.

Do I have difficulty bonding? Is the difficulty in all areas or only in certain ones? Do I bond easily with my job, but have trouble bonding with people? Or vice versa? Do I have problems bonding with special events in my life? Examine the reasons for not bonding. Is it because I am too critical and find fault in everything as an excuse for not bonding? Am I too locked in my own ways? Is my not bonding a result of discomfort with vulnerability? Have I been hurt in my past bonding experiences? Has my trust been abused? Is my fear of bonding a result of the deficient bonding I experienced as a child? To cultivate your capacity to bond, even if you have valid reasons to distrust, you must remember that G-d gave you a Divine soul that is nurturing and loving and you must learn to recognize the voice within, which will allow you to experience other people’s souls and hearts. Then you can slowly drop your defenses when you recognize someone or something you can truly trust.

For bonding to be possible it must embody the other six aspects of bonding. Successful bonding must also include actualizing the bond in constructive deeds.

One additional point: Bonding breeds bonding. When you bond in one area of your life, it helps you bond in other areas.

Exercise for the day: Begin bonding with a new person or experience you love by committing designated time each day or week to spend together constructively.

[csilla]

i think the lessons thus far have said that the type of connection to others entails acknowledging their concerns and letting them know and feel that i really do care about their concerns, which means they see in me someone they can trust and the connection from me to the other person is maintained, which over time deepens. Likewise, if another person acts toward me in that way, i begin to feel and consider that person trustworthy and in that regard i allow myself to feel connected ‘back’ to them incrementally, in proportion to their continued standpoint of altruistic concern (which, unfortunately may drop off soon after a certain degree of trust is reciprocated.);  the common plight, the common desire, would be in everyone’s desire to be distanced from egotism and attain higher levels of spiritual experience.

[Author]

Replies