Today's lesson in Tanya

אך מי שהוא בזוללי בשר וסובאי יין למלאות תאות גופו ונפשו הבהמית, שהוא בחינת יסוד המים מארבע יסודות הרעים שבה שממנו מדת התאוה

On the other hand, if a person is one of those who gluttonously eat meat and quaff wine in order to satisfy their bodily appetites and animal soul, then since, of the animal soul’s four evil elements, this desire belongs to the element of Water, from which comes the appetite for pleasures,

As explained in the first chapter, all evil characteristics come from the four evil elements of the animal soul, with the appetite for pleasures emanating from the element of Water,

הנה על ידי זה יורד חיות הבשר והיין שבקרבו, ונכלל לפי שעה ברע גמור שבשלש קליפות הטמאות

in such case the vitality of the meat and wine that he ingested is thereby degraded, and absorbed temporarily in the utter evil of the three unclean kelipot.

וגופו נעשה להן לבוש ומרכבה

His (the glutton’s) body becomes a garment and a “vehicle” for these kelipot.

The term “vehicle” is an analogy for total subservience; just as a vehicle is completely subservient to the will of its driver, having no will of its own, so (in this case) is this person totally subservient to the three unclean kelipot.

לפי שעה, עד אשר ישוב האדם ויחזור לעבודת ה׳ ולתורתו

But his body remains so [only] temporarily, until the person repents and returns to the service of G‑d and His Torah — whereupon he ceases to be a vehicle for the kelipot; the energy of the food and drink is then released from the kelipot and returns to Sanctity.

כי לפי שהיה בשר היתר ויין כשר, לכך יכולים לחזור ולעלות עמו בשובו לעבודת ה׳

For, inasmuch as the meat and wine were kosher and permissible and it was only the person’s desire for pleasure that degraded them, they have the power to revert and ascend with him when he returns to the service of G‑d — at which time the strength gained from the food and drink are utilized in serving G‑d.

שזהו לשון היתר ומותר, כלומר: שאינו קשור ואסור בידי החיצונים

This is implied in the terms hetter (“permissibility”) and mutar (“permissible”). That which may be done or eaten is called “mutar”, literally meaning “released” or “unbound”. In our context the term means that the permissible object is not “chained” to the kelipot. That is to say, it is not tied and bound by the power of the “extraneous forces,” i.e., the kelipot and sitra achra which are extraneous to the realm of Sanctity,

שלא יוכל לחזור ולעלות לה׳

preventing it from returning and ascending to G‑d.

Rather, it can return and ascend to G‑d when the person involved returns to the service of G‑d, as explained above.

רק שהרשימו ממנו נשאר בגוף

Nevertheless, even when this energy reverts to Sanctity through the person's returns to the service of G‑d, a trace [of the evil] remains in the body.

Eating permissible food for bodily pleasure causes the food to descend into total evil. Subsequently, the food becomes part of the body. Though repentance elevates not only the person but also the energy of the food and drink as well, still, having become a part of the body, a vestige of evil remains.

ועל כן צריך הגוף לחיבוט הקבר, כמו שיתבאר לקמן

For this reason the body must undergo the “Purgatory of the Grave,” as will be explained later.1

Like all heavenly punishments, “Purgatory of the Grave” too is a means of spiritual purification. All remaining traces of evil energy created by eating and drinking for bodily pleasure are removed through this punishment.

וכן החיות שבטפות זרע שיצאו ממנו בתאוה בהמית, שלא קידש עצמו בשעת תשמיש עם אשתו טהורה

So, too, with regard to the vitality of the drops of semen emitted from the body with animal lust, by him who has not conducted himself in a holy manner during intimacy with his wife during her state of purity. Here, too, the vitality is temporarily absorbed in the total evil of the three unclean kelipot until the person repents.

In the above instances, the fault lies not in the acts, which in themselves are permissible, but rather in the person’s intention in doing them — acting out of regard for bodily pleasure, not for the sake of heaven.

מה שאין כן במאכלות אסורות וביאות אסורות, שהן משלש קליפות הטמאות לגמרי

Such is not the case, however, with forbidden foods and illicit coition, which inasmuch as they are prohibited acts derive their vitality from the three entirely unclean kelipot.

הם אסורים וקשורים בידי החיצונים לעולם

These are tied and bound by the “extraneous forces” (the kelipot) forever.

ואין עולים משם עד כי יבוא יומם ויבולע המות לנצח, כמו שכתוב: ואת רוח הטומאה אעביר מן האר׳

They (the vitality of these prohibited acts) are not elevated from [the kelipot] until “their day comes” (the time when evil will totally disappear from the world), when “death (i.e., the kelipot, called ”death“ because they oppose G‑dliness, which is life) will be swallowed up i.e., eradicated forever,” as it is written:2 “And I (G‑d) will remove the spirit of impurity from the earth.” Then, when the kelipot cease to exist, the sparks of holiness will of themselves be freed from them.

או עד שיעשה תשובה גדולה כל כך שזדונות נעשו לו כזכיות ממש

Or, until the sinner repents in the manner presently described, in which case the sparks of holiness need not remain in the clutches of the kelipot until the End of Days; they may even be freed, and restored to holiness, when he (the sinner) repents so earnestly that his premeditated sins become transmuted into veritable merits.

שהיא תשובה מאהבה מעומקא דלבא, באהבה וחשיקה ונפש שוקקה לדבקה בו יתברך

This is achieved through “repentance out of love (of G‑d),” coming from the depths of the heart, with great love and fervor, and from a soul passionately desiring to cleave to the blessed G‑d,

וצמאה נפשו לה׳ כאר׳ עיפה וציה

and thirsting for G‑d like a parched and barren soil thirsts desperately for water.

להיות כי עד הנה היתה נפשו באר׳ ציה וצלמות, היא הסטרא אחרא, ורחוקה מאור פני ה׳ בתכלית

For inasmuch as till now until he repented his soul had been in a barren wilderness and in the shadow of death, which is the sitra achra, and had been far removed from the light of the Divine Countenance, in the greatest possible measure,

ולזאת צמאה נפשו ביתר עז מצמאון נפשות הצדיקים

therefore, now that he “repents out of love” his soul thirsts for G‑d even more intensely than the souls of the righteous who have never sinned.

The righteous tzaddik, ever close to G‑d, is like one who always has water near at hand — his thirst is never so intense. The penitent, however, finds himself as if in a desert, where the very absence of water causes his thirst to burn with greater intensity.

כמאמרם ז״ל: במקום שבעלי תשובה עומדים כו׳

As our Sages say:3 “Where penitents stand…[not even the perfectly righteous can stand]. For, as explained earlier, the tzaddik lacks the penitent’s intense yearning for G‑d.

ועל תשובה מאהבה רבה זו אמרו שזדונות נעשו לו כזכיות, הואיל ועל ידי זה בא לאהבה רבה זו

[Only] concerning repentance out of such great love has it been said4 that [the penitent’s] premeditated sins become, for him, like virtues, since through them (through the sins which previously had distanced him from G‑d) he attained when he repented to this great love. Thus, his sins affected him in the same way as mitzvot: they brought about within him a greater love of G‑d.

In summary: It is possible even now, before evil completely disappears from the earth, to extricate the vitality of forbidden acts from the kelipot, through “repentance out of love of G‑d.”

אבל תשובה שלא מאהבה זו, אף שהיא תשובה נכונה, וה׳ יסלח לו, מכל מקום לא נעשו לו כזכיות

But in the case of repentance that does not come from such love, though it be proper repentance, and G‑d will surely pardon him, nevertheless [his sins] are not transformed for him into the equivalent of virtues.

ואין עולים מהקליפה לגמרי עד עת ק׳, שיבולע המות לנצח

They are not released and hence do not completely ascend from the kelipah so that no trace of the sin remains5 “until the end of time,” when6 “death will be swallowed up forever.”

Thus we have learned that the energy of forbidden foods and illicit coition is released from the kelipot only when one repents out of love or when evil ceases. Now we shall learn that in the case of one specific prohibition, ordinary repentance can accomplish what normally requires “repentance out of love.”

"C Words from Charlie Chase"

"Be the change that you want to see in the world" -Gandhi

To be happy you need to be growing, and that involves Change. Many people are unhappy with their lives but they don’t want to have to change anything! They remain in the same job, the same house, or maintain the same lifestyle as a way of staying safe because life is predictable and secure that way, but it leads to a Groundhog Day kind of life. Ask yourself, are you willing to grow and change? When the caterpillar is changing to a chrysalis it feels like its whole world has come to an end, when in fact it is a necessary stage in becoming a beautiful butterfly.

Challenge

Everyone needs to have worthwhile meaningful challenges to stretch them in some way, otherwise you won’t grow. Every year I set a new challenge for my self; one year it was learning to sail. Most years I do at least one significant educational course so that I am constantly developing new skills, learning new things, meeting new people and having fun!. What about you? What new challenges can you set for yourself in 2013?

Creative Expression

We are all part of a collective, but at the same time, we are unique. Unfortunately the socialisation process and our education system can often shape us into having a herd or pack mentality. We finish up being overly left brained rational, logical and analytical in how we approach our lives and overlook our creative side. Often this is also because, creative expression involves time. For example, learning to play a musical instrument, or develop a new skill such as writing or painting. We need to be willing to give a certain amount of time to being creative. The reward is that we automatically become happier with ourselves.

Connection

Quantum Physics shows us that we are all in fact interconnected but for the majority of people they have no sense of that connection and in fact feel very lonely, with no sense of belonging to the larger group. As Gandhi says, “Be the change that you want to see in the world”. Reach out to others who may be feeling as you do. Of course you may be reluctant to do that because of a fear of rejection, but in reality, most people don’t reject you. Is it possible for you to begin smiling more at the people you see in your day to day life?

Contribution

We all have a need to make a contribution beyond ourselves whether we realise it or not. We need to feel that we make a difference, that our being here matters, and we can all do that if we choose. Can you decide that you will do at least one kind act of service every day? Try it and see the difference it makes to you and to others.

Consciousness

To be really happy, you have to shift from living your life Unconsciously, just wishing and hoping that happiness will somehow drop from on high, or thinking you are the only one to whom S**t happens. You need to literally switch on to life and recognise that, as Abraham Lincoln says, “Most folk are as happy as they make up their minds to be”. We are on this Earth for a purpose, what is yours?

Written and composed by Charlie Chase.

"Exploring Subpersonalities"

"Exploring Subpersonalities"

Often it is not us who choose our roles, but one or another of the many distinct aspects, or psychological formations in our personality. So these formations can be considered to be true subpersonalities.
There are in each of us a diversity of these semi-autonomous subpersonalities, striving to express themselves. And when any of them succeeds in doing so, we then play the corresponding role. But during that time the other subpersonalities are cut off. Yet they are still very much present - even though we may be unaware of them - and they are likely to create a lot of inner conflict. They may also have some very beautiful, useful qualities that we may need, but not be in touch with. So one of the easiest and most basic ways to facilitate our growth is to get to know our subpersonalities. As we understand them better, we can regulate and direct their expression according to our own needs and goals, making them our helpers and our allies, and bringing them increasingly close to each other, toward greater harmony and integration.
And an increasing number of people have discovered that recognizing the diversity of subpersonalities in us, learning to direct them, and to deal with them operationally, in the moment, enhances rather than diminishes the sense of "I" - of personal identity and unity.

Unity and Diversity, the One and the Many are a central paradox in all thought from all times. The intuition has been that an essential unity underlies the myriad diversities of manifested life. Philosophers, religious leaders, scientist of all ages have dealt with this paradox. We have come to accept it as one of the central mysteries of nature and the universe. But the personal aspect of this paradox is still largely neglected.
A rather extreme example of this paradox is the well-known case of some actors who become so identified with their part that they "forget about themselves," and truly experience themselves as the one they are impersonating. (3) If, at that time, such an actor were to ask himself, "Who am I?" he would answer, "I am Hamlet," "I am Othello." Yet after the play he would have not doubt about the "I" who said, "I am Hamlet" was the same who would say, before and after, "I am an actor." But if, later on, he were to give up acting, and become involved perhaps in business, he would then likely answer, "I am a businessman." Yet he would be sure of being the "same one" who had experienced himself as the actor.
In the same way, each of us is One and Many, we have Unity and Diversity in our inner life. And it is a psychological reality that exploring our inner diversity, and working systematically to harmonize the multiplicity of elements within our personality, leads to a stronger sense of identity and unity, and to greater effectiveness in the outer world.

Cultivating the Power of the Elements

The Subtle Body system gains the elemental powers Via Exposure to them.This is why Sages Adepts Yogis and Masters make their hermitages on mountain Tops where access to the Pure elements is more readily available.When we go into a meditative state we access the subtle dimension.This is increased when we are in an area with Pure elements.Although this is not always possible in the Modern World of Cities,there are various Points where we can More readily cultivate these higher frequency elements.For example on roof tops of the Top of High Rise Buildings are also more refined and closer to the pure spirit elements.Here if we place our selves in an altered state we can gain the All important Vision logic that will guide our evolution for our incarnation in relation to the archetypes in function with this and Higher World Holons we are accessing.Also should high wind situations prevail we can also use this time to cultivate our Vatta our Wind force and gain the power and intelligence of the Wind through exposing ourselves to these pure elements.The same of course applies to when Sun light prevails we should then turn our cultivation practices to absorbing the Sun Light.So basically the focus is on cultivating the prevailing elements in harmony with natures current expression.The Mastery of Yogic Tai Chi Chi Gong Meditation practices will also assist in our cultivation of these elements.Therefor we should apply these techniques in Nature under the different nature circumstance to cultivate said Element!This way we gain the Powers of the Pure Elements!

Utilizing Inner plane experience for Outer Plane Externalization

The Inner plane offers the conscious mind rich lucid powerful symbolic symbols to the conscious mind for the purpose of spiritual psychological and earthly growth!If we are to harness the full potential of our subconscious and superconscious minds we need to be able to recall memories from the inner plane as well as those from meditational experience.Having a note pad next to the bed helps for dream recall,and practicing emptyness meditation helps for lucidity and recall of trans rational experiences.Also endeavor to write down all forms of guidance an inner plane experience from both sleep dreams and meditation.You will this way gain access to the rich symbolic archetypal language of the archetypes through your own sub conscious and superconscious.Meditating 3 times daily will give you crystal recall of dream imagery as well as possible access to lucidity.There are various meditation technologies available to assist in the meditation process,the 2 I personally recommend are the centerpointe training and the biocybernaught training.Links are therefor provided https://www.centerpointe.com/ and
http://www.biocybernaut.com/ .We sit before and after all major meals to reconnect with the Over Soul Monad and our individual service mission and then continue our Earthy Service activities having this communed with Eternal spirit.This was we utilize the full Powers of the Inner Plane for Full Oiter plane
manifestation!

Cultivating the Universal Elixer

Cultivation of the Universal Elixer is a process of integrating the Universal life force that manifests as the Macro Cosmos within the Inner Microcosim.This is done primarily through cultivating the Psychosexual energy,The sense data from the eyes ears nose and mouth as well as the subtle Spiritual energies of ether via space.By receiving all external energies and sense impressions as Universal life force,applying the inner smile,life becomes a cultivation process of the Universal energies.This energy is stored in the Lower 3 centers and transmuted due north via the application of muscular sceletal and subtle chakric systems.The endocrine system is activated by holding in place the subtle solar centers in there place as they are radiated by the Ascent and descent of the Solar Deities(The Planets)Each planet rules a different Chakra and Gland and by our conscious connection to these centers the outer powers irradiate these inner centers by the gravity of eternity which moves all things in heaven and upon the earth.By regulating the eating sleeping service meditational and exercise routines the Solar powers are further increased within the inner cosmos giving a great Union with the Immortal Tao,over time and with constant and consistent energization.An aspirant can attain to the Divine Dimensions via cultivating in this way,which will bring higher realization and higher powers of perception(Revelation,Illumination and enlightenment)as well as the various Siddhas associated with the Higher level attainments.These are used by advance initiates to serve and uphold the universal Law Dharma and the goodness of the World.One becomes then a Pillar of the World and a direct bridge between the Lower Worlds the Human and the divine Kingdoms.Ones Will becomes one with the Heirarchy and one becomes a Servant and extension of Shambala.One then chooses ones line of evolution for higher development and appropriately proceeds through Planetary Mastery into Solar dimensions.This is a brief explanation of Cultivation of the Universal energy and should be used consistently within the framework of ones individualized constitution tendencies skills and abilities.Doing these after for mentioned practices one makes Integrated Spiritual advancement..........