[Dave]

In these courses up to now we haven’t really deeply dived into the definition of love in kabalistic terms.  My assumption would be that love is essentially the same thing as altruism.  In light of that, I would say that loving others means putting their needs above yours, as well as holding their needs just as important as yours.  so the example here would be that we would approach that homeless man on the street as if it was our father or brother. In terms of how I interact at work, I would pump the brakes before writing somebody off after a negative interaction and really try to understand where they’re coming from. Ultimately love looks a lot like forgiveness.

[Dave]

Looking at the physics aspect of bestowal and reception, altruism and egoism. In the context of prayers, does God really not receive anything from us?  I guess it’s just hard for me to understand that because I’ve always imagined a personal relationship with God.  And in a personal relationship there is a back-and-forth.  For example, think of the relationship between a parent and a child at some point there is growth and maturity in that child where they can have a real conversation with a parent.  is the concept here that we are like little babies right now, or even just embryos, and clearly babies and embryos can’t have a conversation with their parents. is the point here that we need to spiritually mature in order to have that relationship with the creator? And then, when we do, is there ever a back and forth?  Or is it always a one way street?

[Dave]

First, we recognize our many desires are from our ego. Then we recognize the point in the heart, which overtakes and is greater than any other desires in our heart.  The point in the heart becomes our greatest desire. Then we start to practice the method of Kabbalah, which teaches us that through altruistic intentions we not only feel our desire and pleasure, but the desires and pleasures of those around us.  And finally we take that skill into a group of 10.  In this group, as we all practice the same method, each of us begins to experience each others fulfillment by the light of reformation.  This combination creates a catalyst like effect that propels us into significant spiritual growth.

….

[Dave]

We attract the light that reforms when we engage in this study.  We attract  more light when we work with others with each others point in the heart.

[Dave]

I appreciated the description of how other philosophies and religions try to suppress the ego, and it just comes out as corrupted and desires. It disregards the fact that it is the very essence of who we are, and when we realize it and correct it the proper way we can reach the spiritual level. All other pursuits are done in vain and in danger.

…….

[Dave]

The shift means purposefully living in that reality of bestowal.  To perfectly balance the additional force of ego with the force of the creator and taking the infinitely narrow middle path that can only be done through the help of the creator.  I was watching Marcus on kabtv and this visual helped:

… not sure if this picture will upload

[Author]

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