Here is another bit of inspiration from my father and teacher, Rav Berg, in his recent lecture:

"Sometimes we get lost in the process and forget where we set out to go. This is probably the case most of the time in our lives. We forget what the game is all about and what we hope to achieve with this game."

Today, think about your life. Where are you headed in work, in love, in spirituality? Are you where you want to be? What do you need to change to get there? Pull back the view finder and get a larger perspective of the big picture. Remember what you hope to achieve with this game.

There once was a woman whose young son was diabetic, and not only was her son a fan of sugar, but he was also a fan of Gandhi. The mother decided to seek out Gandhi's wisdom. She and her son rode a train for three days to seek the advice of the renowned spiritual leader.

When they arrived at his home, they waited on line for hours until they were finally invited to speak with him. Once the mother explained the story, Gandhi replied, "please come back in 30 days." Rather than travel back and forth, the woman and her son found temporary housing, and she took a job as a dishwasher at a local restaurant.

After 30 days, they returned to Gandhi, seeking his advice yet again. This time Gandhi stood up, held the boy by his shoulders, and said, "My son, you must stop eating sugar." The mother was enraged. "With all due respect, we traveled a great distance to seek your counsel, and this is all you have to tell us?" To which Gandhi replied, "Madam, I could not ask your son to do something that I myself could not do. Only yesterday was I able to completely cut sugar out of my diet."

Today's lesson is plain to see - we cannot expect others to do things we aren't able to do ourselves!

The more challenging the obstacle that you face in life, the more spiritually evolved you will become if you prevail over it. Because it is about effort, not achievement. As the ancient Kabbalists put it:

"There is no light as brilliant as that light which manages to emerge from out of the darkness." - The Zohar

Today, give your best and know that as dark as things may seem, there is great Light waiting to be revealed.

Wednesday, June 11

The more barriers that exist, the more chances we have to plug into the Light. The more obstacles there are, the greater the number of triggers to ignite our reactions, so that we can resist and transform them. The more, the merrier!

After all, transforming is the purpose of our lives, and only an obstacle can give us that opportunity.

Today, welcome any obstacle you encounter. Use it to practice transformation and to resist your emotional reactions.

I hate you.

How many times during the day does that thought pop into your mind? How many times does it spill out of your mouth? How many?

If I tell you it's not nice to hate, will you stop? I don't think so. If I tell you hatred brings chaos into your life, now will you change?

"Turmoil is a sign of hatred" - Rav Nachman of Breslov

Every time you are hating someone [even for no reason, which is the case most of the time] you are inviting a little more chaos into your life.

With that in mind, I've only one guiding questions for you today. Where's the love?

Wednesday, March 5

What's behind your actions and your attitudes?

What is the nature of the energy with which you do things?

What is at the core of your behavior?

The answer is consciousness, as in, your thoughts, your desires, your belief systems — the lens through which you view the world. What goes on in your mind will color what you do and how you do it.

Today, take a closer look at yourself as you go about your life. Look at some of the things you are running after and see if you can discern the different kinds of consciousness you have in relation to them.

What's behind your actions and your attitudes?

What is the nature of the energy with which you do things?

What is at the core of your behavior?

The answer is consciousness, as in, your thoughts, your desires, your belief systems — the lens through which you view the world. What goes on in your mind will color what you do and how you do it.

Today, take a closer look at yourself as you go about your life. Look at some of the things you are running after and see if you can discern the different kinds of consciousness you have in relation to them.

My brother Michael was addressing students here in Los Angeles last weekend about the importance of appreciation. He repeated something my father taught us growing up: the moment appreciation is lost, the relationship is lost.

I spoke about appreciation in Sunday's daily but it's especially relevant now, when the energy of doubts is at its strongest. The lesson to remember is:

our connection to others, ourselves, and ultimately to the Light of the Creator, begins and ends with appreciation.

This is something you know. I simply wish to remind you of the utter importance of constantly fighting for appreciation. And make no mistake, it's a fight. A battle. A war. It's easy to erupt in anger and indignation but far more difficult to fight the internal battle against ego [jealousy, insecurity, resentment, doubt, and you can fill in the rest.]

Who are the people in your life whom you've begun to take for granted? The best way to get that thankful recognition back is to imagine what life would be like without them.

There is always good within the bad. The trick is, do you know it - and do you seek it out?

Typically, when we have problems, we see it as just that - another problem. Another headache, another difficult person we need to get rid of, another overwhelming situation that makes life such a drag.

But Kabbalists are anything but typical. Kabbalists know that Light comes to us wrapped in darkness. Our job is to use our awareness to pierce the darkness so that we can extract the Light within.

Today, don't dwell on the bad. Look for the good. Pull it out. Yank it out! Remember, the Light is your partner. You are not alone. Whatever difficulty you are facing is merely the Light's way of trying to make you earn your fulfillment. Keep this consciousness today and you will experience many miracles.
 

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