It got me thinking about the deficits we all have at one time or another. One person may be seeking a soul mate; another, financial success; yet another, his life’s purpose; and another, better health. Of course, our minds instantly go the 1% material solutions:

“Has he tried everything?”

“Maybe she should do that online dating thing?”

“He just doesn’t have the skill set.”

“What about alternative medicine?”

It’s absolutely vital to do everything we can in the physical realm to create manifestation in our lives, and it’s certainly not enough to sit and meditate … and wait. But at the same time, we can try all the “right” solutions and still remained blocked.

The answer is that you must open the gates.

It’s not about saying, “God, let me find a system to be more successful.” Again, you do need to have a system, to create order, and to have a plan. The truth is we all have gates that are locked to those blessings.

The problem is you can’t open a non-physical gate with a physical key. Part of the reason we cannot open those gates is because we don’t know what’s locked. Opening the gates does not mean asking for money or for Susie Whatserface to fall in love with you or for a breakthrough in science. Instead, we need to focus on how to unlock the gates.

Don’t get me wrong, we all have gates that are open. We have moments in life or areas of life in which things just flow naturally. Sometimes too naturally. Eve n the wrong gates can be open. It’s possible to use our blessings to do more damage than good.

Chances are those blessings will be short-lived if you go down that route. We need to work on closing the wrong gates and opening the ones that will lead to long-lasting fulfillment.

If the gates are open, you don’t have to sell clothes, you can sell the hangers.

If the gates are open, you find yourself sitting on the bus next to a doctor doing research on your particular issue.

If the gates are open, you wake up and realize the love of your life was a good friend or acquaintance that you’ve been ignoring all along.

This week check in with yourself. Which gates do you need to open and which do you need to close? You might have the 1% skills, but know that the seed of your success is opening and/or closing the right gates. If they are open, nothing can stop you, and if they are closed, you can do everything in your ‘power’ but nothing will give.

All the best,

Yehuda

How do I open the gates that are closed to me?

A few emails asked if it’s enough to think positive — and the answer is no. Some surmised that we should accept that can we can’t open some gates and just move on. Even others answered that they will be discussing the concept with their therapists.

The bottom line is we all want to move forward. We want to be different next year than we are today, even a few months from now. We want to actually change, not just have different people in our lives, but actually be a different person. But if we don’t unlock these gates, no amount of positive thinking will help.

So here, my friends, is a formula for breaking the locks on those gates.

1) Find your emptiness. Rav Ashlag, founder of The Kabbalah Centre, explained that when the world was created, it was created with empty space (”chalal panui” in Hebrew) for the world’s creations to fill. We are born with that emptiness and our work in this world is to fill that emptiness. That’s part of the thought of Creation. We came into this world with specific emptiness. Sometimes we think if we just move forward, the emptiness will be filled, but it can’t be. We must figure out what it is that we do — what is our emptiness — the anger, depression, the guilt. I’m not suggesting you spend hours and days on someone’s couch. We do need to focus energy on moving forward in our lives, but not without knowing what is stopping us along the way.

2) Ask: How does my emptiness serve me? There’s always something we get out of our emptiness. We are all selfish people, there’s no getting around that. We must be getting something out of the emptiness. We do things or not do things because there is a payoff. There is always a payoff. Even if we hurt other people, somehow we benefit. There’s even a benefit to doing nothing. We may be afraid; we may feel we can’t, that the task at hand is beyond us, we may fail on purpose — because we don’t think we deserve to go any higher. We may be sabotaging ourselves to feel incapable of moving forward, or may be making mistakes on purpose that will stop our growth. Think about it like this: if you wouldn’t get energy, you wouldn’t go to that emptiness (anger, depression, guilt, etc). We all want energy all the time. Our godlike feature is a magnet to energy. Unfortunately some of it is good, most of it is bad. We’ve all had the negative energy pull; it’s still energy … and then …

3) Figure out what we are giving up for that energy. In Kabbalah, we talk about missed opportunities. What about the years we give up, willingly lose in search of the negative energy? Isn’t that a missed opportunity as well? Imagine if we didn’t spend hours a week in that place we go to. The lifetime of hours and years that we give up because we’re getting some kind of enjoyment, some kind of Light, energy, something — all from being empty. It’s not a few ounces. It’s not even a few milligrams. It’s a couple of tons of energy. And what do we have to show for that energy we’ve given up? Nothing. That’s the real missed opportunity. We all have those spaces that we end up in, and if we aggregate all the time spent empty, we would be depressed just from that. We’d be angry at ourselves just from that, and give up a few more years.

We need to do these three steps. We could listen to the Torah, scan the Zohar, meditate profusely, but if tomorrow w e go back to the same place, that same emptiness and get the same energy, nothing has actually changed. Nothing.

This week, let’s focus on these three items. We’ve got to find the emptiness, where exactly we go; we’ve got to find what energy we get out of it; and most importantly we’ve got to feel what we’re giving up for it.

It’s one of those aspects of the journey that’s hard to do alone — but do it with someone — a mentor, teacher, partner. It’s one of those things we have to fix in order to move forward.

Remember, every second that we spend on our emptiness is time we’re not spending moving forward.

All the best,

Yehuda

Why is surrendering so powerful?
Surrendering that over which we have no power over and living with the consequences is living within surrender, and yielding to forces beyond our control. Everyone likes to think that certain things are within their control, but the living Truth is nothing is within your control. Control is an illusion that you have power over everything (or even something). Usually having children takes care of that issue, but when it doesn’t the art of surrender is necessary for life to unfold without extreme suffering.

Why is surrendering so complicated?
Surrender is a difficult issue for the ego to manage, because the literal meaning is defeat or giving up. The more your ego controls you, defeat is perceived as a horrible consequence, and the harder it is to relinquish the illusion of control. From a spiritual standpoint, karma, which is in operation infinitely, takes care of everything whether you think you have control or not. Karma equalizes everything so that you don’t need to think about outcomes. Outcomes are always perfect, no matter what adjective you place on it, so surrender really isn’t difficult. It’s about letting go and that’s what is tough for most people.

How do you surrender?
When you think of surrender, the image of cowering behind a white flag while in the midst of war comes to mind. This is a good image to hold in mind so your spirit remembers that your ego is continually at war with Reality. What you do is confuse the happenings of your life with things that you think you have control over. Yes, you say, but what about all those decisions I made that allowed this or that to happenand what if I didn’t do “that,” “this” may have happened? Well, the Truth is that’s all karma and possibilities. In reality, all those decisions and happenings were a compilation of conditions being appropriate, and not about you directly controlling anything. Whether or not you had the illusion of control things would have turned out that way or another way. You are starring in and indirectly directing your play (life), but not running the entire show.

The actual act of surrendering can be accomplished in many ways. One way would be to ask God to take this from you. Another way would be to picture the issue dissolving into the universe. A third way is to pray repeatedly to overcome the issue and let it go (i.e., “I surrender this to Thee O Lord.”)

Throughout history, laws authorized by the prevailing governing body have been in place. The answers to the questions depend on the calibratory level of the particular law. Examples of unjust laws are slavery and justified killings or debasement for ideological reasons. Modern laws covering controversial subjects such as abortion are another illustration. Governing bodies have the right to put certain laws in place, but they have no idea how those laws calibrate. For example, all laws regarding abortion (with the exception of health related issues), calibrate beneath Truth because it is the deliberate termination of human life for expediency. Choices are an integral part of the decision making process, but God cannot be eliminated from any decision whether or not you believe it to be true. Ignorance of Divine Law is always forgiven if sincere, however.
Responsibility and Culpability

“Anything that can be lost tomorrow doesn’t actually belong to us.”

In our work and our own personal lives, we encounter power struggles, ego clashes, and emotional & intellectual conflict. One of the reasons for that is our misconception of ownership.

We may think we own and possess things like cars, CDs, stocks and bonds. This thinking overflows into our jobs and responsibilities and oftentimes our relationships. How many of us have uttered the words YOU BELONG TO ME or I’M YOURS?

The wisdom of the sages teaches that we own nothing. Anything that can be lost tomorrow doesn’t actually belong to us. In fact, it’s the concept of ownership that creates most of the fear, war, and conflict in the world.

We’re afraid to lose, afraid to lose control, and we set our mentality to acquire what we have already decided is ours in our minds. So what would be a better way to relate that will remove the fear in our lives?

Be a manager.

Remember that everything comes to us to manage and is there for us to use in a given time frame. The consciousness of manager releases us from a false sense of control and dictatorship. When we begin to act as managers of everything that we receive, including our bodies, we can better lead and empower others on personal and global levels.

This week, act in such a manner. It is a much more proactive way of relating to the things which we are privileged to receive in life.

All the best,

Yehuda

One of the most powerful lessons I have learned is that we can all be doing so much more. We can be doing more to help the world, more for our loved ones, and more for ourselves. The reason we don’t is because we think we’re insignificant.

Many of us downplay who we are, feeling we are just small cogs in a much larger wheel. Change the world? Please. That’s for presidents, world leaders, celebrities, and holy men. I’m just one person. What can I do?

And even for those of us who do believe we can make a difference, the truth is that we don’t really appreciate how much we can do.

The reality is (and this is a profound lesson) our self-perception can diminish or increase our power.

We are as powerful as we believe we are. Our thoughts and view of ourselves, conscious or subconscious, determines who we are and how much power we wield.

Unfortunately, oftentimes we don’t see ourselves as significant, and this is manifested in our actions. We treat others – or ourselves – poorly because we don’t think what we do matters in any real or lasting way. Or we do not push ourselves to do even small positive actions because at the end of the day we don’t know our real power. This then becomes who we are.

On a spiritual level, this means the next time we pray for somebody or seek to bring blessings and assistance to ourselves and others, we have a weakened ability to effect change. The Light says to us, “Remember what you thought yesterday? If you are not all that important, then you are not all that powerful, and I cannot give you the Light to truly create change. Your actions clearly show that you do not see yourself as significant.”

When we know we are purposeful, powerful, and possessing of the ability to influence others, then we don’t allow ourselves to fall into the petty traps of acting small. We are careful even to avoid the slightest negative actions because we know our small behaviors are significant. Conversely, we push ourselves to do tiny positive things because we know that for a soul as magnificent as ours, every action is large.

When we view ourselves in this way, the Light of the Creator views us and interacts with us in a similar fashion. And then our words, prayers, blessings, and actions become powerful and capable of creating great things. Again, this is because how we view ourselves is how the Creator views us. When we see ourselves as powerful and purposeful, our words and actions become imbued with tremendous spiritual forces.

This week, if you feel yourself about to do something negative and small, stop yourself and remember your importance. If you are struggling with whether or not to do a positive action, even a small one, say to yourself, “I need to do this because what I do has far-reaching consequences.”

Practice this thought process often and it will make you powerful in the truest sense, as well as create a change in who you are. Remember, “When I see myself as significant and powerful, I receive assistance from the Light to make significant and powerful changes.

As I see myself, I am.”

Michael Berg

There is a story about the building of the Holy Temple (an important world spiritual center) in Jerusalem. According to the ancient texts, all the most beautiful stones were gathered for the building. During the construction, the workers found a stone that was so ugly it was cast aside into a rubble heap. As the Temple neared completion, they found a stone missing in a tiny corner of the most important part of the building, what Kabbalists call “the Holy of Holies” (the innermost sacred chamber.) They were unsure what to do because they were all out of stones.

Finally, one man remembered the ugly stone they discarded earlier, and he retrieved it from the trash. Not only did it fit, but it was a perfect fit! King David even writes a verse describing the scene, “the stone the builders despised became the cornerstone.”

One of the greatest ploys of our negative side is to convince us that we are not enough. We think others are more knowledgeable and better suited to do great things whereas we are somehow limited in what we can accomplish. But as this story teaches us, the lowest can become the highest because each one of us has a unique gift that only we can share with the world.

There is another story of the student of a great kabbalist who wished he could accomplish great things in this world, but doubted his ability to do so.

He told his teacher, “if only I had the brains of this great wise man, the vision of this other great wise man, and the physical abilities of yet this other great wise man, only then could I really accomplish something significant with my life.”

The kabbalist responded, “There are things only you can do for people because of your unique qualities that no one else in the world can do. You do not need anybody else’s abilities to accomplish your life’s important purpose.”

This is an essential point. Many of us think, “If only I had that talent or education or money of so-and-so, then I could do big things.” The kabbalists warn us of such erroneous thinking. We are exactly the way we are meant to be, and no one can do what we can - and need - to do. The Light gave us everything we need and all of those people we are envious of can never do what we can.

The great 18th century polish kabbalist, Rav Zusha of Anipoli, once said, “When I go to heaven, I won’t be asked, ‘Why weren’t you Moses? Why weren’t you Abraham?’ I will be asked, ‘Why weren’t you Zusha?’”

We each have all the qualities we need to do the great things we are meant to do. We do not need to be someone else. We are exactly who we are for a reason, and we have a unique soul and mission that only you or I can accomplish.

I cannot stress this point enough. There are so many people out there whose unique gifts remain hidden. And if they leave this world without bringing out their gifts, the world will be forever lacking, no matter how many spiritual giants come into existence.

This week, realize there are people whose lives can be influenced, improved and changed only by you. Look within and ask yourself, “What is my unique gift to this world?” Once you know what you are looking for, you will find it. And when you do, cherish it because nobody else can reveal the unique Light you are meant to reveal.

Yes, in a linear way—but no in a sacred way. The Truth has levels above the basic level of 200. That is the level on The Map at which an entity, statement, situation, context, or thing, becomes a Reality (Godly). But what is reality, you say? I see reality all around me! Well, Reality is what actually exists in God’s world. Everything else (although not an illusion to us) does not reflect Truth such as—evil, hopelessness, blame, guilt, shame, vindictiveness, indifference, hate, aggressiveness, despondence, and tragedy—to name a few. When testing, these qualities test below 200 because protoplasm does not recognize their reality.

So you see the Truth is well…The Truth (that which is real). But there are nuances. For example, I may be a generally honest person and calibrate at 200, but not yet at an unconditional level of love… type of honesty, which calibrates at 500.

Truth, although understandably intrinsic to God of course, is not that simple to us as humans. We have levels—depths that are all calibratory but not necessarily essential to calibrate. How easy would life be if we calibrated every single motion in our lives before we acted? We’d never get anything done. So what do we on the path do?

Well first you trust and surrender everything to God. Stop seeking mystical and mysterious methods of figuring life out. Do some consciousness exercises to get you through your issues and crises, keep yourself as healthy as you have control over—notice the word ‘you’ and ‘control.’ Only God and karma govern the rest. Finally, use your inner wisdom when you can’t test and let the rest go.

I like to keep it simple—so I developed the DPA (Divine Protoplasmic Analysis) self test method of testing for Truth. It’s a handy method given to us by Divinity, to discover that which perplexes us. There Are No Secrets: The Highest Journey

Although I’ve written why we can’t figure out what is True ourselves I’ll review why.

1—You arrived as a baby with a calibrateable level of consciousness.
2—That level does not change very much in a lifetime unless you have a serendipitous leap or fall.
3—You absorb everything you see and hear like a sponge and continue on this way your entire life.
4—Everything you absorb attaches to your ego’s awareness through your brain as a viewpoint, idea, belief, doctrine, consensus, propaganda, brainwashing, etc.
5—The (narcissistic core of your) ego owns them, values them, and protects them as if it is the author.
6—You are generally stuck with them for life, and the majority (if not all) are not True. They are relative projections of what your mind’s delusions manufacture.

So back to surrendering and testing. This is what you need to do if this work is at all important to you. Since you are reading this, and I’m assuming you were not coerced, you have a yearning to have a glimpse of Truth. Go strait ahead with courage because traveling this road will make the yellow brick one, obsolete. Gloria in Excelsia Dio!