[Hai Mag]

Thanks Seth, but if religion has nothing to do with attaining Godliness, then between belonging and believing, what you mean is religion is more about belonging and a cultural heritage. But it’s a side effect of religion where faith below reason and hope and love is the foundation of religion. I asked what would be the need of religion if faith below reason is direct conflict with faith above reason.

You can obviously keep it as a cultural heritage but the essence will be empty. Having said that most of the Kabbalist articles refer to Tanakh so there is a reference it’s shared, although the meaning of the text is interpreted differently.

Any thoughts?

[Hai Mag]

If we are practicing Kabbalah, what would be the need for a religion given that Bible/Tanakh is referred as a book of source of Kabbalah.

[Hai Mag]

I was impressed by age-old puzzle of freedom and free will. As humans, we pride ourselves on being intelligent creatures, masters of our own destinies. This inherent sense of free will seems to suggest the ability to act based on our own choices, independent of external influences.

However, a closer look challenges this notion. Our decision-making process often resembles a complex software program, weighing options based on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. Even our ability to delay gratification, a seemingly advanced trait, can be seen as a calculated pursuit of future reward. In essence, it becomes a sophisticated form of “commercial calculation.”

Adding another layer of complexity is the societal dimension. Living in a social structure often requires us to conform, to prioritize the needs of the group over our individual desires. Our choices become entangled with the expectations of others.

So, where does true freedom lie amidst these constraints? The answer lies in a deeper understanding of existence. Consider the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 1:9: “There is nothing new under the sun.” This doesn’t imply stagnation, but rather that creation unfolds from a pre-existing source, a wellspring of pure potential. Think of it as a formless essence, constantly flowing and expressing itself in ever-evolving forms within the manifested world.

This source itself is unchanging, but within its essence lies the potential for infinite variation. Just as a single ray of light can be refracted into a spectrum of colors, the source expresses itself through countless unique combinations. In the case of humans, the source manifests through the genetic inheritance we receive from our parents – a unique blend that forms the initial spark of our being.

Society then plays its role, molding these inherent traits through interactions and expectations. This societal influence can become a “second nature,” a set of ingrained habits that guide our decisions. External factors like illness, war, or financial hardship can further impact our development. These forces can either hinder or accelerate our growth.

However, amidst this intricate dance of internal and external forces, there’s a spark within each human – the potential for a “second nature” rooted in the “will to bestow.” By consciously choosing to cultivate this desire to give and connect, we can begin to transcend our ego-driven impulses.

This “will to bestow,” when nurtured and strengthened, becomes the dominant force in our decision-making. It allows us to break free from the cycle of self-gratification and societal pressures. This is where true freedom emerges – the freedom to choose actions that align with our higher purpose, to connect with the source, and to act in accordance with the Creator’s will.

This ultimate freedom, however, presents a final paradox. As we fully embrace the “will to bestow” and merge with the source, the concept of separate individuality dissolves. There’s no longer a “self” seeking freedom, but rather a complete oneness with the source.

The journey towards true freedom, then, becomes a paradox – a process of self-dissolution leading to complete connection. It’s a path paved with intention, self-correction, and the cultivation of a love that transcends self-interest. And while the destination may seem like a loss of self, it’s ultimately a return to the source, a state of boundless unity and fulfillment.

 

[Hai Mag]

To Correct ourselves to “will to bestow” in order to connect with all other souls and the Creator to receive absolute pleasure.

[Hai Mag]

Love, Logic, and the Leap of Faith: A Journey Beyond the Physical

Aristotle called us rational animals, and surely logic shapes much of our world. But what about love, especially that soul-deep connection that feels preordained? Science can’t fully explain it, yet it feels real.

Here’s a thought: maybe our free will lies not in logic, but in a kind of “sixth sense” – the holy spirit or the third eye, as religions call it. This “sixth sense” lets faith become a way of knowing, a way to access a deeper reality beyond the physical.

Imagine this: our everyday choices might be influenced by a constant “benefit-loss” analysis, but through faith, we can break free. We can embrace this deeper connection, this love that transcends the material world.

Think of it as a leap of faith, a journey guided not by logic, but by an intuition that whispers of something more. Is this where our true free will lies? In choosing to see beyond the physical and embrace the possibility of a love that connects us all?

 

[Hai Mag]

Everything Comes from the Creator’s Infinite Power

Let’s start with the beautiful verses of Isaiah 45:5-7: “I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God: I will strengthen you although you have not known Me. ⁶ In order that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. ⁷ Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates evil; I am the Lord, who does all these things.”

These verses resonate with a profound truth – there is only one Creator, an infinite and indivisible force. The Creator, the source of all existence, emits a radiant light – these are the emanations that strengthen and nourish us. However, the Creator itself remains beyond our direct perception. We can’t grasp the essence, but we can feel the power of its light.

This light, though, isn’t the only element. The Creator also creates darkness. As we discussed earlier, with Genesis 1:26 as a reference, humans are created with a spark of darkness within us – the ego. This ego, mirroring the Creator in its potential for creation, represents our own will to receive, our focus on self-interest.

Everything happens within the realm of human thought. An experience, perceived by our five senses, triggers a reaction. This is where the ego steps in, whispering “what’s in it for me?” This constant drive for self-gratification is the darkness within us. Connected souls and a universe functioning according to a predetermined order represent a state of peace, while the ego’s pull towards self-preservation creates the darkness we perceive as negativity.

Here’s where things get really interesting. There’s no external force pushing us towards evil – it’s the darkness within, fueled by ego. Our ego craves pleasure and justifies actions that inflate it. In essence, the Creator creates “evil” by creating the potential for ego within us.

This realization brings a powerful shift in perspective. When we encounter difficulties, we often blame external forces – people, situations, fate. But if everything comes from the Creator, then the discomfort we experience might be a test. A test to see how we react, what light or darkness we choose to nurture within.

Feeling the discomfort, the egoistic urge to defend, attack, or lash out – this is the moment for introspection. Why is this happening? What lesson is the Creator trying to teach me through this challenge? Instead of succumbing to the ego’s whispers, we should ask ourselves, “What is my next action going to achieve? Am I contributing to the light or feeding the darkness?”

The beauty of the Creator lies in the infinite light it provides. Even after failures, fueled by egoistic desires, the possibility for correction remains. Failing can be part of the test. The next attempt becomes an opportunity to choose differently, to strengthen the light within by offering help and cultivating altruistic behavior.

This continuous “correction and connection” is the essence of the human journey. With every triumph over the ego, we shine a little brighter, pushing back the darkness within. But as the ego is inherent, the battle is never truly over. We must remain vigilant, constantly seeking connection with the source of light, the Creator, and striving to correct our course whenever the ego tries to take hold.

 

[Author]

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