Notes - Class 3

Kabbalah 1; Class 3
With David Ghiyam

The beginning of the class was a review about why we came here to this physical world- or why we even created this physical world- which is the chance to become the Light, proactive, the giver and the cause. We did not have the ability to express-the ability to be the cause, the creator, the initiator. We thus separated from the Light. This brought about the physical world, the world of chaos, of challenges (or opportunities).

Why do we want to be the cause? Not because we want to be “spiritual” or “righteous”. It is because I want to connect to something bigger than temporary energy or “winning” in that one fleeting moment. We want to allow in the magical unseen force that will make a huge difference in every aspect of our lives. We want to access all the miracles and blessings and everything we truly need.

Are things just “random” or is there a cause? Why am I born into this particular family? Why am I born under a particular sign? Why did certain events happen to me in my life, maybe some particularly painful? Who is in charge of the thoughts that come to my head? What causes the thoughts that I have?

In Kabbalah, we are taught that just as there is the physical DNA that is unique to each one of us, there also exists a metaphysical DNA. Just as no two people have the exact same fingerprint; this metaphysical DNA is individual to each one of us. This metaphysical DNA influences our natural different thought patterns, emotions, reactions, personalities, and realities. Some people may blame their childhood or a particular experience for their reality when in fact these are just physical manifestations of something much deeper.

Originally, we came from one unified soul. This soul manifested as Adam and Eve. Without going into detail, these two souls separated into many many different souls. We are all an aspect of this one unified soul. We chose to separate in order to become proactive, to transform, and to turn back to the Light. This is where tikkune comes in. Tikkune is the process of correcting our soul. We all have different selfishness, ego, and reactivity to correct. Our tikkune can be anger, ego regarding honor or respect, jealousy, fear of saying no to people, judgment, lack of perseverance, lack of patience, etc. We came down for one reason- to overcome our tikkune, which will in turn bring us closer to the Light. The only way I can connect is to find the areas where I am disconnected and transform them. These areas may be when I react to my personal fears, others criticism of me, fear of what others think of me, fear of opening up- every area where the opponent controls me: my mind, my feeling, and my behavior.

Our tikkune is like an onion, when you transform one aspect, you discover new layers. It is a curtain around the soul that doesn’t let my power or my potential shine. My uncorrected tikkune is areas of ego or blockages that consistently attract similar situations in my life. No matter how unfair a situation may be, I have to let go of my reactivity to it. My main business in my tikkune. When I take care of this, I will be able to take care of all the other business in my life.

Life is about being better, not just good. We came to identify areas where we are blocked. Are we really looking to transform, to make miracles in our lives? We need to always ask ourselves, how much have I transformed today? Have I located my garbage today?

How does the concept of destiny work in Kabbalah? Is our destiny predetermined or do we have control over it?...Since the moment we are born, ALL potential destinies or scripts are written for us- parents, issues, fears, abuse, ups, downs, marriage, divorce, making money, losing money,- every thought I have, every action I make, EVERYTHING. Why did the Creator provide me with this one set initially?- To give me the thoughts, feelings, situations that will help me face my tikkune. The Light will create certain situations in my life so that I can see my tikkune and thus transform it.

Every time we overcome a tikkune- change a behavior, choose the discomfort- in this moment we get a new destiny, a new movie. We shift to a better universe. We will then have new challenges and new situations. This is how we create miracles in our lives.

Our job is to change our destinies, to shift tapes, not to stay the same. The goal is to search for the opportunity to overcome our flaws. We are afraid; we don’t like to see our flaws. But this is the only way we will create a better life. No matter what, we will fix our tikkune- if not by choice, by pain. Pain, unfortunately, is a longer process but is still cleansing our soul.