August '08 Our Diverse Community

"The soul is speaking to the Creator: "Teach me the mysteries of the higher wisdom. How do you lead your flock in the upper world? Teach me so that I will not be shamed when I arrive among the eternal souls, for until now I have not reflected on these mysteries."

The Creator replies to the soul: 'If you don't understand the beauty of the soul, if you return and haven't reflected on the wisdom before you came here and don't know anything of the mysteries of the upper world, then you aren't merited to enter here. Therefore, return again. Study those things that people consider to be unimportant. Learn the secrets of the upper world.'" - The Zohar

Pick up a spiritual book today. Spend a few moments reflecting on why you are alive. Widen your focus. Put your attention on the "beauty of the soul" and what that means to you.

Red String. If there's one thing everyone knows about The Kabbalah Centre, it's that we teach the importance of wearing it in order to protect ourselves from the evil eye. I'm certainly not going to be able to explain this seemingly archaic concept to readers in a mere paragraph. But for those of you who have been studying and wearing it, you know its powers.

I was reading this week in one of the ancient texts that ‘fish do not have evil eye because they are completely surrounded by water.'

Ok, a little weird. Who ever thinks of fish getting or giving evil eye. But the kabbalistic meaning of this concept is that water is chesed [mercy.] What I want to share with you about this is that when we immerse ourselves in the waters of a sharing consciousness, caring about others, the jealousy of people has no effect on us.

Be merciful today. Cut people some slack. Smile at people like you're smiling at chubby little babies.

Have you ever seen those warnings, "Identity Theft - Don't Be a Victim". It's actually quite kabbalistic.

We think we are who we are. Meaning, we think we are these notions we have of ourselves — black, white, man, woman, secure, insecure, lawyer, actor, son, brother, ADD, OCD, happy-go-lucky, whatever. But most of the time we are totally clueless of our real identity.

On a soul level, we transcend categories and mental constructs. We are souls, pure sparks of the Creator. And to tap that down into everyday language, we are love. We are compassion. We are giving. We are groundless. We are limitless. And of course, we are one. You, me, and everyone reading this, everyone walking around you in your office or on the street or wherever you are reading this, we‘re all connected.

Today, know that whoever you think you are, you are not him or her. Ask for guidance to be shown the real you. Reclaim your identity.

If you were to never buy a book on Kabbalah, or take a class online, or attend one of our live events or holidays, if you were only reading this one email and I had just this one chance to share with you a secret that would change your life, it would be this:

Like attracts like.

God, from a kabbalist's perspective, is not a bearded man on a mountain top or a judgmental omnipotent being, but it's a force of sharing and concern and love. When you quiet down your thoughts and step away from your feelings - and just radiate concern for others - you attain affinity with God.

And the moment you create this connection, you are tapping into this force. This is where fulfillment comes from.

That's why love thy neighbor was the revelation of a technology, not a moral ideal!

Today, be God. Be thoughtful of what others are going through. Be happy for others' happiness. Be kind to people for no good reason. Be the creative force you can be. Everything else will take care of itself.

I don't do enough. I'm sitting here thinking about how many times I've avoided scanning Zohar or meditating on a 72 Name for a student who needs healing or going outside of myself to help others.

Really, I don't do enough.

And it hurts to be in this emotional place, when I see how I've let myself go in certain areas. But as long as it's pushing me forward to do more, then it's good.

This is something the 17th century kabbalist, the Baal Shem Tov, taught his students: if you are beating yourself up because you don't do enough, then it's just your ego talking. But if you are genuinely motivated by these thoughts, then it's your soul speaking.

Today, when you notice those places where you've gone soft or you don't feel that you are "doing enough", know it's a good thing. Instead of beating yourself up about it, think of it as some tough love from up above.

My father and teacher Rav Berg always taught me, "...there is only one thing that is important in this world: the Light. Nothing in this world is important in this world unless it, or they, are connected to the Light."

In the real reality, everything was created only so it could bring the Light of the Creator to the world. The truth is: to be truly important is to be connected to the Light.

Today, know that this connection comes from acts of transformation and sharing. A spark of the Light exists within all of us. We connect to and enflame it every time we place more importance on helping others than helping ourselves.

For more information please call 702.243.0559 or email lasvegas@kabbalah.com or stop by the Kabbalah Centre at 3824 S. Jones Blvd (between Spring Mountain & Flamingo).

Visit our bookstore Tuesday – Thursday 10am-9pm and browse through our selection of kabbalistic books, cds, dvds, jewelry, candles, and more.

FREE Introductory Lecture Every Tuesday at 6:30pm – Learn How the Wisdom Of Kabbalah Can Help You Unlock the Door to Lasting Fulfillment