Strength In Connection

In the work in the ten, it is insufficient to simply get closer in order to unite. We need to connect to each other to such an extent that no difference is felt between oneself and the group, and you do not feel yourself at all but only the unity of the ten as a single whole. This is the meaning of dissolving yourself in the ten.

Of course, this action can only happen through the action of the reforming Light. But the Light acts only in response to our demand. Nothing happens by itself because there is no coercion in spirituality: neither in the relation of an individual toward others, nor from the upper to the lower. It is possible only to awaken, which is only possible in an indirect way.

Nobody is coerced into achieving the quality of bestowal. Even if this is already what we want—to be forced and taught against our will quickly—it will not happen. The upper force does not behave in this manner because it cannot deprive us of our free will, without which it is impossible to achieve complete attainment. Everything is organized so as to bring us to the true, complete unity.

That is why we receive only hints pointing us toward connection, and even those are indirect. We must try to notice them.¹

As a result of connection, each one receives strength from all the others. This is only on the first level where each one receives strength from the ten. On the second level, with this strength, he once again connects with everyone and receives ten times more; on the third level, again ten times more, etc. Each time we multiply everything, we multiply our strength, but this all depends only on our readiness to annul ourselves to the group.²

In our world, an individual easily falls under society’s influence. Whether or not one wants to, one accepts the opinions of society through mass media and advertising. The more he follows society’s views, the more confident he feels, because he is thinking just like everyone else.

However, in spiritual work, everything is the reverse: an individual has no desire to connect to the group. He does not feel that this will give him confidence, he does not feel that the egoism will get anything out of it. He always has to work on overcoming himself, even to connect to the friends just a little bit. He does not see any egoistic benefit in replacing the opinions of this world for the opinions of a small Kabbalistic group.³

A Kabbalistic exercise is to detach from all your desires: food, sex, family, money, honor, knowledge, and bring them all to the Creator. Since, obviously, it is from Him that the Light that awakens in me the desire for all these fulfillments comes. And it is as if I reject this influence, reflecting the Light that triggers such motivations in me, such desires. I am left with one general desire for fulfillment, having no characteristics or concrete aspirations. I reject all concrete forms of fulfillment, as if removing my outer layer from myself, and return it to the Creator.⁴

We must discover and come to despise the qualities that hinder our achievement of unity, which distance us from it. If I seriously despise them, in a focused manner, correctly, consciously, then this hatred will distance me from these qualities and even turn them from hindering to assisting unity.

Hatred must serve the correction, that is, it must be thought through, weighed, and aimed at specific qualities. Hatred, disgust, and repulsion must help me turn rejection into connection; in other words: “love covers all transgressions.”⁵

Shame arises when I compare myself with the friends, with the Creator, and discover a huge difference between our states, our levels. Shame is a consequence of my lagging behind, my weakness, which I am possibly capable of avoiding. To a newborn, nothing is shameful. If there is something I do not understand, then I am unashamed: “Go to the craftsman who made me.”

Shame arises only when it is clear to me that I could have connected with the friends, could have done something to bring benefit to the group, but I did not do it. Shame is revealed in the place where I did not exert enough effort. But if it is a result of the qualities given to me by the Creator, then I do not feel shame. Shame is only experienced as a result of my causing harm, and it is my insufficient effort.⁶

We always have the opportunity to turn to the Creator and ask. But the reaction can feel as if it is completely nonexistent, or it can be either negative or positive. But if I want to advance further, then I must express gratitude for everything that I receive. Even having felt a negative reaction or nothing at all, I must act as if I received the desired answer.

After all, the request builds a spiritual vessel (Kli) in us. The Creator does not need my request. I need it! The request develops my desire, my need, and that is why “a prayer” means “to judge oneself.”

There is always a reaction, only we do not feel it, do not value it, because it does not come where we are expecting it, but in a different place. The reaction occurs without fail because we work against a system, not against a material force, and the system cannot take pity on us or just ignore us.

The answer always comes, only we do not notice it because it is in a different place, in different qualities, in a different time, and because it is not immediate. But do not doubt that each moment we exert an influence on reality. And if we do this consciously, then we influence it much more powerfully.⁷
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/15/18, Lesson on the Topic of “Dissolving Into the Ten” (Preparation for the Convention “All As One” in New Jersey 2018)