Kabbalah Course Discussion Group

Hi guys. Carry on without me for a bit. I'll get caught up, but I graduate in two weeks and I have a ton of stuff going on.

@Connor . . . Good Luck!!!

@OB1 ..... there are materials on the site OTHER than the course we are taking (i.e. where is says lesson 1 - 16) . . .

After registering for the Spring 2015 course we are going to a section for which this discussion group was set up.
The link to register is in the OP.

Edan wrote: I liked this idea that they spoke about as it seems distinctly different to the way the 'creator' is usually described in religion... usually they are a separate distinct entity.. and while one may become closer to the deity, they never become as the deity.

Yeah . . . the old paradigm versus the new paradigm . . .

but the new paradigm . . . is not new!!!! lol

Ok... so third lesson was basically a run down of important figures in Kabbalah history..

I couldn't watch the video (kept saying 'corrupted' when I loaded it), so I ended up listening at the gym (so once again, no notes taken).

I'm not sure anything particular stood out for me in this lesson, except to say that the 'system' that is Kabbalah is obviously not one person's system, but a system progressed by many.

Their comment about the Zohar being written from the higher level of understanding of the writer is a bit like being presented with a code you can't unravel unless you've read the code.

The progression from what you might call the 'un-illuminated' (when Abraham etc. were writing) to modern times seems like an interesting one. Even though the knowledge was kept hidden until people were worthy to read it, if you look back in history there's always determination to search for meaning even when it has been hidden or considered dangerous and suppressed.
Knowledge is so freely available now, it's hard to imagine having doors closed on you.

Here are my notes on lesson 3:

The Following Timeline Is:
Evolution of the will to receive
Evolution of humanity
Evolution of kabbalah

TIMELINE

after billions of years pass, homo sapiens emerge as "still" degree of desire
initially, only cared about preserving existence (hunting, shelter, procreation)
this happened all over globe

ADAM KADMON
Somewhere around Mesopotamia (5775 years ago) - (not to be confused with Adam of Bible)
Noted as first time homo sapien questions his existence.
Imagine all living off instincts and one wakes up and says: "What is the meaning of life?
He was first human to get in touch with upper reality.
Like a scientist, he was curious, curious, curious, then click.
A whole new dimension to the world he is living in, although not yet the kabbalah.

A book was written, but it will not make sense as it is suitable to the time/desire for which it was written.

Laws do not change. They are absolute.
Because desire is constantly changing, the methods used to overcome it are constantly changing as well.
It is not a different method, it is a method that adapts to the times.

ABRAHAM (4000 years ago)
First kabbalist
Ancient Babylon
Same Abraham as bible
Priest - advisor to king
studied and observed nature

For awhile ancient Babylon was a thriving metropolitan area. All got along well like one massive family.
Eruption of Ego - Exploitation - Spike in Ego - Spike in Self Interest

The Tower of Babel was metaphorically built to get to know God/Force
All the different languages (no one understanding each other) symbolized uncontrolled growth of desire, not understanding each other and clashing of desires.

Abraham wrote Sefir - Zohar - Book of Creation
First time there is a method of kabbalah and how to reach adhesion with Creator/Force

He observed that everything in nature built on connections, everything determined by the nature of that connection. There are always 2 elements of nature (nurturing/depleting, exciting/downer, . . . etc.)

MOSES (3,000 years ago)
same one that is said to have written 5 books to the Bible.
all of Bible is allegory
Leading people out of Egypt is symbol of leading self out of ego each day.

RASHBI (2,000 years ago)
Jews were oppressed in Israel by Romans
Rash be grabs 9 guys to study with him in a cave for 40 years.
They produce 40 volumes of encyclopedia.

This is all an illusion. The only thing that is real is desire.
One desire was created and it shattered.

ARI (16th century)
Created Tree of Life system
Wrote fundamental book of commentary on Zorah
characters appear out of nature
North of Jerusalem in Galilee
his scribed was burned with his books.

BAAL HaSulam (1884-1954)
the writings of Ari were expanded
wrote in modern day language so anyone can pick up and start ascent.
describes above/down structure

RABBISH (died in 1991)
took writings into groups
opened up method

Michael Laitman (beside Rabbish for 12 years)
written over 40 books
Professor of Ontology
Phd in Philosophy and Kabbalah
MSc in Medical Bio-Cybernetics
"To change the world, change the man"


Summary
*As desire develops, humanity develops - more pleasure for less
*but method for ascent develops right beside it.