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Unfortunately, I cannot edit my original post. Here is the original version: https://youtu.be/HUngLgGRJpo
From a Kabbalistic perspective would you say that the following video accurately depicts the search for fulfillment in egoistic desires and the inevitable subsequent realization that they are empty (i.e. can never fulfill one lastingly)?
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPBtzjFnhvk25cSHTMs_NojLOiyfDgxg_dG34uL
If so, then what is the purpose of the egoistic pursuit for a Kabbalist or somebody who is just starting to learn about Kabbalah? Is it only to realize over and over again that the egoistic desires cannot be fulfilled? Is there a shortcut, that is, are we somehow able to realize that a new (stronger) egoistic desire won’t bring fulfillment anyway and so it is not worth pursuing it or do we have to tangibly experience the inherent emptiness of ALL our egoistic desires?
Here is what I understood:
– Each of us is born with an ego
– This ego determines all of our actions and all that we perceive. Our entire life. Everything. Completely.
– The ego is given to us, so that we can make discernments based on it. That is, in each and every situation we have a helpful guide inside us that shows us what NOT to do. Based on that, we can try to walk in the opposite direction (or at least as much against the ego as we can)
– These discernments of what to do in order to best nullify the ego are ONLY done in the group and given to us by others because we ourselves will never be able to make altruistic discernments because we cannot escape our ego (Theoretically, one can escape the ego by oneself, but this only happened to the very early Kabbalists because their ego never was meant to grow to its full measure. Since our generation is meant to deal with the biggest form of egoism, it is best to forget about the miniscule possibility of escaping the ego by oneself altogether and immerse oneself in a Kabbalistic group instead)
– Nullifying the ego lets us progress spiritually on the Path of Light instead of on the Path of Suffering
– With every altruistic discernment that we make, the ego grows stronger, so that we are able to make even more advanced discernments
– Eventually, the ego has finished its job of being our antagonist in life and just gives up because there is nothing that it can teach us anymore by being a bad example to us
– Then, we live in full bliss (whereas on the Path of Light we live in partial bliss).Many Eastern teachings have understood that bliss is experienced once the ego is gone. However, they try to somehow get rid of it and/or suppress it instead of working with it. This can always only work temporarily because the ego is there to teach us certain things and it will always resurface (and strengthen) until it has taught us everything that it is supposed to teach us. Additionally, the longer we suppress the ego the more crooked its form will be once it inevitably resurfaces again.
Is this correct?
For anyone who might be interested, I have found a middle path now. Instead of gaming, I use some of my time to watch series on Amazon. I am always drawn to series that explore the meaning of life, supernatural stuff etc. anyway.
I can take those series as actual experiences and ask myself why the Creator is showing me a certain scene. Why am I drawn to this? What does He want to tell me through it?
In gaming, on the other hand, I have no space for such thoughts. It pulls me in so hard that it always develops into a mindless chase after fleeting pleasures rather quickly.
I think it means somehow experiencing reality outside of oneself. Identifying with the system as a whole (The Holy Shechina) instead of identifying with one body.
