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I’ve been following the course you and Zohar taught in 2021, “Pticha – Intro to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah.” Currently, I’m on Lesson 7 and I’m deeply grateful for the wealth of incredible content from KabU, thank you.
I have a question that I’m grappling with.
It’s about the concept of “reflected light.” We often discuss the idea of receiving in order to bestow, with the ultimate goal of aligning ourselves (“Equivalence of Form”) with the Creator, thereby attaining spirituality. This concept is emphasized repeatedly: our intention should be focused on “bringing contentment to the Creator.”
However, this raises a paradox. The Creator, as I understand, has no need for anything. In fact, it goes beyond mere lack of need; the Creator is averse to receiving. In “The Path of Kabbalah” by Rav, he clearly states on page 84: “Because the Creator gives, his creatures must strive for the same. Conversely, THE CREATOR HATES TO BE A RECEIVER. Being complete and needing nothing, the creature should also despise reception, as it is the root of all evil.”
In trying to make sense of this, I’ve considered what it means to “bring contentment.” Perhaps it’s not about giving something that is received, but rather fulfilling a desire. For instance, when a parent gifts something to their child, they don’t receive anything tangible in return, but the act itself brings them a sense of wholeness and completion. However, this is my interpretation and not something explicitly stated in our teachings. Moreover, the illustrative arrow does hint at some form of exchange.
So, essentially, I have two question:
1 – Does God disdain our attempts to bestow upon Him?
2 – Where does the reflected light go? Who receives it? I have come to understand that there is none else beside the Creator. Wife, children, relatives, work, and friends – everything is but the Creator, standing behind all these different forms. Does the reflected light, as we aim it at the Creator, land on all these different forms?
How can I establish a deeper connection with my friend, one that transcends my ego? Is my intellect merely a manifestation of my ego? It often seems as though I’m attempting to connect with my friend through my knowledge, the sharing of experiences, and contemplation of this wisdom. However, when I scale back these efforts, I sense a void. Recently, I came across an excerpt from Dr. Laitman’s blog, which inspired me to offer a prayer. Are there any additional techniques for refining this desire for connection? I find myself feeling somewhat isolated from my friend, as if my focus is solely on myself, and I’m struggling to perceive their desires.
Feel the Friend
Sep 8, 2023 1:30 AM
Question: You say we should feel the friend, connection, and merging into one heart. But I have never felt this. Although I feel the result of my friends becoming greater for me, and I see our commonality, I am glad that we are together, but nothing more. What effort should I make to make these feelings more accurate and more precise, or should I not strive for this?
Answer: You need to try to open your heart a little. Do various exercises to connect with your friends and you will be able to expand your heart gradually so that you will be closer to the Creator.
Question: No matter how hard I try, I do not feel the friends. Can I pray to the Creator to give me this sensitivity?
Answer: Of course you can. This is a very good request. The Creator will hear it with pleasure.
Question: How, without adding my egoism, can I pass a friend’s desire to the Creator in its purest form?
Answer: Do not worry about the Creator. To the extent of your exertion, desire, and yearning to pass to the friend, the Creator will feel it all perfectly.
https://kabbalahmedia.info/en/publications/blog/laitman-com/289769
Are Moses ben Jacob Cordovero and the Baal Shem Tov considered authentic lineage teachers? Is there a list of authentic vs. non-authentic teachers?
Teamwork makes the Kli work! Again, I’m no expert. This is my first time in Young Group and I am feeling my way through with you.
While I’m not an expert, I interpret connection duty in our group as a role that is multifaceted, somewhat like a shepherd safeguarding and guiding the flock. An adept member of our 10 once shared that for every thousand individuals exploring Kabbalah, only one might emerge as a teacher. Meaning that many fall away. In the face of the potent and subtle distractions from the corporeal world, connection duty not only counteracts these diversions but also diligently works to foster unity in every conceivable way. This role encompasses administrative tasks, such as organizing meetings and planning group gatherings, to ensure our collective focus on the spiritual journey and pursuit of the creator remains steadfast. For instance, when members become distant, someone assigned to connection duty discreetly reaches out, aiming to rekindle their engagement, ensuring that the primary discourse among our ten remains undistracted and purposeful.
