You usually hear the word ego as something to overcome. You praise a person without any "ego" because he does not show the "me" kind of mentality, but is it really possible to erase the ego?
From the writings of the Jewish sages, ego is the representative of evil inclination. It wants to receive. It only looks after itself. However, even though it sounds evil, it is a necessary element of our existence.
The Creator is the giver and we are meant to receive. We always want pleasure and that is how we are created. We cannot take that out of how the Creator built us up.
The question is what do we want to receive. We are given mundane pleasures to push us to a higher pleasure which is the Creator. These enjoyments we are receiving here on earth are very limited as compared to the magnitude of the world of infinity.
We can be as selfish as we want, only use it in a proper way.
If we crave for the Creator, the Creator will give himself to us.
Check out 'Overcoming Your Ego.'
Friday, October 29, 2010
Adversity
It is said that adversity is like a gateway to a new level of existence. Obstacles are being put in your way because you are being blocked from passing through. It is like you are given distractions that allure you to a different direction.
That is why it is really important to stop always to reflect, especially if you are given options that are too difficult to reject. Most likely, the option that is least desirable for you is the one that you should be picking.
Distractions are dressed in beautiful and attractive wrappers. They are meant to be that way to serve their purpose. We are meant to look at them and to really be mesmerized by them.
The allurement succeeds if one gives in to it. That means you are not allowed to pass through to the next stage.
Every stage has its form of difficulty attached to it. Same kinds of difficulties will be given to you, but on a different level.
It is essential to ask for a Higher Force assistance to be given a second nature that will overcome what needs to be overcome. It is meant this way, so that you will know that you are powerless and that only a Force outside yourself can help.
You are meant to cry out for help when you are already pushed against a wall.
Check out 'Five Ways to Overcome Adversity.'
That is why it is really important to stop always to reflect, especially if you are given options that are too difficult to reject. Most likely, the option that is least desirable for you is the one that you should be picking.
Distractions are dressed in beautiful and attractive wrappers. They are meant to be that way to serve their purpose. We are meant to look at them and to really be mesmerized by them.
The allurement succeeds if one gives in to it. That means you are not allowed to pass through to the next stage.
Every stage has its form of difficulty attached to it. Same kinds of difficulties will be given to you, but on a different level.
It is essential to ask for a Higher Force assistance to be given a second nature that will overcome what needs to be overcome. It is meant this way, so that you will know that you are powerless and that only a Force outside yourself can help.
You are meant to cry out for help when you are already pushed against a wall.
Check out 'Five Ways to Overcome Adversity.'
Teacher and Student in the School of Life
According to the Jewish sages that in order for a student to learn, he has to humble himself to his teacher. Doing menial tasks for the benefit of the teacher is part of the learning process. In the old tradition of a Jewish teacher-student relationship, the student does what he can for the teacher. If it is necessary to sort coffee beans for the teacher, the student is obliged to do it.
This obligation is not bestowed by the teacher to the student, but rather the student necessitates himself to do this because this is essential for imbibing the teacher's wisdom.
I heard a rav who used to wash his teacher's clothes and even provided food for his teacher. In return, the student is influenced by the teacher's way of thinking, way of life, his holiness, his knowledge, and most especially his wisdom.
If the student looks at himself as greater than the teacher, he cannot become a student. Not because the teacher rejects him, but rather because of his disposition of pride puts him in a place where he cannot learn from the teacher.
The student has to be awed by the teacher. He has to look at the teacher as if he has all the qualities he wants to have. He has to look at the teacher as if he has what the student is craving for.
This obligation is not bestowed by the teacher to the student, but rather the student necessitates himself to do this because this is essential for imbibing the teacher's wisdom.
I heard a rav who used to wash his teacher's clothes and even provided food for his teacher. In return, the student is influenced by the teacher's way of thinking, way of life, his holiness, his knowledge, and most especially his wisdom.
If the student looks at himself as greater than the teacher, he cannot become a student. Not because the teacher rejects him, but rather because of his disposition of pride puts him in a place where he cannot learn from the teacher.
The student has to be awed by the teacher. He has to look at the teacher as if he has all the qualities he wants to have. He has to look at the teacher as if he has what the student is craving for.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Letting Go and Plodding Along
It is easy to get distracted by the little disturbances in life. There are hundreds of stimulation you get every moment. If you do not check yourself, you can get carried away. What you entertained for kicks initially could consume you in an unhealthy way.
Letting go is a decision that you make every moment. Eventhough, we always say let go, it is not an easy thing to do. Every situation we decide on can affect what is going to happen next. Careful thinking is always necessary for a rational human being.
What you decide on reflects what you place highly in your priorities.
Do you value selflessness or selfishness? Do you choose your friends than your family? Do you choose to drink beer when you are supposed to be driving moments later? Do you choose to spend your money on an unessential big item ticket than to use it for the needs of your family?
Every choice makes a difference in a bigger scale and it ripples out to a much bigger scale. You affect the grand scheme of things with your decisions, so you need to always stop and to reflect.
Letting go is a decision that you make every moment. Eventhough, we always say let go, it is not an easy thing to do. Every situation we decide on can affect what is going to happen next. Careful thinking is always necessary for a rational human being.
What you decide on reflects what you place highly in your priorities.
Do you value selflessness or selfishness? Do you choose your friends than your family? Do you choose to drink beer when you are supposed to be driving moments later? Do you choose to spend your money on an unessential big item ticket than to use it for the needs of your family?
Every choice makes a difference in a bigger scale and it ripples out to a much bigger scale. You affect the grand scheme of things with your decisions, so you need to always stop and to reflect.
Raising the Intention
It is said according to the early Jewish writings that the final action is developed from a tiny seed that was planted long before the action had taken place. The action today springs forth from the days or months or years of nurturing a thought that leads to a culmination of an action.
Our constant thoughts brings forth the reality of our life. It is necessary to always ask ourselves of the question, "What is my intention with this action?," in order to cultivate a reflective way of living.
It is easy to live life thoughtlessly, being tossed high and low by the waves of life. To be thrown by situations in different directions can be stabilized by the continuous questioning of your motivation. From there, you can assess if the motivation is in accordance to your values. You can also question whether your values are in harmony with the positive laws of the universe.
Your attitude, thoughts, and values can be the tipping point of the world to righteousness or to wickedness. In every action that you do, you tip the scale to one side or the other. The question is where do you want your scale to tip?
Our constant thoughts brings forth the reality of our life. It is necessary to always ask ourselves of the question, "What is my intention with this action?," in order to cultivate a reflective way of living.
It is easy to live life thoughtlessly, being tossed high and low by the waves of life. To be thrown by situations in different directions can be stabilized by the continuous questioning of your motivation. From there, you can assess if the motivation is in accordance to your values. You can also question whether your values are in harmony with the positive laws of the universe.
Your attitude, thoughts, and values can be the tipping point of the world to righteousness or to wickedness. In every action that you do, you tip the scale to one side or the other. The question is where do you want your scale to tip?
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