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Dear
Dater,
Welcome to the
third of eight Kabbalah-Dating newsletters. This edition covers
Understanding, the third Leaf on the Kabbalah-Dating journey, with
practical insight to help you become a better dater/relater, or
spiritual single. These newsletters are also posted on the Kabbalah-Dating website.
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Last
Month's
Quality:
Physical Foundation
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Last
month's Leaf, Physical Foundation, took us to the wonderful area of
physical intimacy. The reason that Leaf is second on the journey is
that these inclinations occur very shortly after-- or perhaps even
before -- we meet an attractive partner. The Spiritual Vision
associated with the Leaf of Yesod is "Machinery of the Universe." What
is that? It is the moon, stars, planets, and forces, such as gravity
and sexuality, that we live in, and are a small part of. There is
almost no way to counter such forces, so, they become part of who we
are as humans. However, we are not necessarily victims, as Dylan Thomas
declares, "The force that through the green fuse drives the
flower...that blasts the root of trees/Is my destroyer."
No! We have the capacity to rise above with our attitudes, and the goal
of Kabbalah-Dating is to show how to strengthen your nature to become more
attractive and "receive" (Kabbalah means "to receive") your soulmate,
for he or she IS out there!
Do you agree? Your comments are welcom on the Kabblah-Dating blog.
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Binah, The Leaf of Understanding
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Binah is perhaps the most challenging Leaf on the Tree of
Life. Located in the supernal triad (the upper three Leaves that point
to Heaven), it counterbalances the Leaf of Wisdom on the right pillar.
This is not to say that Understanding is not a form of Wisdom, however
it is black, while Wisdom is gray and the ultimate Leaf of Keter, the
Crown, on the top of the Tree, is white.
Black is associated with loss and the emotion of "sorrow." Personally,
this is one emotion I dare not acknowledge in my campaign for a
cheerful outlook...yet....it is there. All around, every day, and
almost overwhelmingly so.
The earthquake in Haiti, demise of our economy...Binah is ruling these
days. Yet, as we enter the month of Adar, the season of joy in the
Jewish calendar, I suggest that we remember Binah. Allow her
"Sanctifying Intelligence" to grace our lives but fade into darkness as
we move next month towards Wisdom.
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Understand Your Partner
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| If we physically exist in our Ethical and Astral Leaves, the
lower 7, then how do we truly Understand another person? For, we want
what we want, we want to be heard, we want OUR needs met. Understanding
is close to Godliness because it is located on the Tree of Life ABOVE
our base needs. One of the best ways of practicing Understanding is
listening to your partner, and taking off your shoes and imagine
walking a mile in theirs. Really listening shows that they may have had
more difficult experiences than you, and occasionally, deserve more
time in the spotlight of your relationship. Practicing Understanding
your partner makes you Wiser (next month's Leaf) about people in
general. Plan on working on this quality this month! |
Verve
(Virtue-Vice)
Meditation
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 Verve is a new
meditation in Kabbalah-Dating. This experience is where you select a
virtue, and its opposing vice, on the Tree, and meditate on it as the
framework for strengthening the virtue. For example, going from
Contemptuousness to Valiantness (one of many opposites on the Leaf of
Beauty) is not an overnight affair. Meditating on how you will become
more Valiant, until it becomes a part of your nature, is the key.
Kabbalah specifies the opposites...it is up to us to take the steps
(maybe baby-ones) necessary to get there.
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Malka's
Explanations
My method of interpreting the Tree of Life is called "p'shat,"
which in Hebrew means, "a simple explanation of the text." I am an
English teacher who enjoys writing, not a mystic. I encourage you
to interpret the Tree of Life in a way that makes sense to you, and to
engage in deeper study. If uncomfortable experiences arise out of
your Kabbalah-Dating practice, please seek professional assistance.
And, we would love to hear about your dating and relating experiences
on our blog.
Shalom,
Elly Malka Faden
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Continue
to Newsletter 4
What
does
it
take to Understand?
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Spirituality is
challenging because it looks at all things objectively: war and peace,
life and death, sickness and health. Thus, the dark Leaf of
Understanding must be a part of the Tree of Life that houses our
psychic energy centers.
When a
friend is in need, or a natural disaster occurs, there is not much we
can do psychically but Understand. And, as this Leaf is called "the
Vision of Sorrow," so must we embrace sorrow as part of life. To grow
spiritually, we must allow our friends and the world to express their
pain, and listen with deep Understanding. Hopefully, you will find
others who care enough to Understand you, too.
The
empty nest is an experience that brought me tremendous sorrow. I think
I was "barefoot and happy" for many years after my children were bortn.
When my youngest left for college, I felt like a blackbird sitting on
an empty nest. But, time has passed, and I am regaining my cheerfulness.
We
must allow for periods of darkness in our lives, but not let them
capture us eternally. Sometimes, all we have to go on is a thin sliver
of light, but when you make the effort to pull yourself through to the
positive, you become a more Understanding person.
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BINAH
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Want to Give or
Receive Kabbalah-Dating Lessons?
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Kabbalah-Dating talks
are a great way to connect with like-minded people.
Lesson plans include introductions to the Leaves and meditations on
strengthening the spiritual inclinations we use in relationships.
I am also available to make presentations to your
group. Malka.
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| Would you like to be listed on our Resource page? |
You are invited to add your organization to the Resource Page on our website!
Contact malkabay@gmail.com for details. |
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