Dear JLI Student,
Thank you for joining us for the first lesson of The Kabbalah of You, "Climbing the Soul Ladder: Uncovering the Human Potential."
For those of you that attended (or those who missed lesson 1), please find below a brief recap of Monday nights lesson.
The recording of the class is available on our website at www.ChabadBrisbane.com/JLIaudio.
Introduction:
Every person wants to live a life true to themselves. As a human we search for a higher goal in our lives. We reach beyond ourselves to help our fellow man and society at large. We are not simply sophisticated beasts. Where does this yearning come from? What is it that makes us human?
The Soul:
This element of our personality comes from our Soul. The Soul is not physical. It is a transcendent existence which goes beyond our physical state. It is only with G-d's wonders that a Soul can exist in a physical body.
The Soul is the Image of G-d in which Man was created. From the Soul comes our searching for something beyond our own physical pleasures and well being.
A Kabbalistic Perspective:
The Kabbalists speak to how the Soul is "part of G-d". This is based on the Kabbalistic novel concept of "Ohr Ein Sof", the Infinite Light, or Light Without An End. The light metaphor is about G-dliness. Its not G-d, but an expression of G-d. So its G-dlike, and all its features are based on the source of the light. Hence a Soul can be referred to as a 'part of G-d'.
The Essence of Man:
This then is who we are. G-dliness in a body, searching for transcendence. Not satisfied with simple physical pleasures. Because that is not our true self.
In the upcoming lessons we will learn how to employ our Essence in our relationships, quest for happiness and discipline in our choices in life.
We begin next week, Monday 5 November, 7:30 pm with Lesson Two, "How To Be You", Living by your Convictions.
I look forward to seeing you.
Chanoch H Sufrin
JLI Facilitator
PS. For more about Kabbalah in general, check out our Kabbalah mega-site at www.ChabadBrisbane.com/Kabbalah.
PPS. Please consider watching the following video, wherein Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf discusses the subject of "Living a Significant Life."
