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Dear
Dater,
Welcome to the
second of eight Kabbalah-Dating newsletters. This edition covers
Physical Foundation, the second Leaf on the Kabbalah-Dating journey,
and offers you 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: Devotion
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Last
month's virtue, Devotion, of the Romantic Beauty Leaf, describes
an outlook on life in which one appreciates Beauty. Sometimes it is
only possible to know "where you are at" by looking at the opposite, so
we reviewed Devotion's opposite inclination, Pride.
Kabbalah
offers
us
the
opportunity
to use each Leaf's Spiritual Intelligence to
adjust the qualities within ourselves and demonstrate them in our
actions. Romantic Beauty's "Mediating Intelligence" shows where we fall
on the Devotion-Pride scale.
As a single, we may be Devoted to family, friends, hobbies, or
interests. Alternatively, we may isolate ourselves by looking down our
nose at people and things. If either rings true, use your Mediating
Intelligence to adjust your inclinations.
Devotion to a diet works, whereas going on and off does not, and even
causes suffering. Consequently, Devotion in your relationship is not
just a Romantic ideal. Awareness and improvement of Devotion opens the
first door of your sacred relationship: true Romance.
Do you have any thoughts on the topic? Please add
them to the discussion of Devotion on the Kabblah-Dating blog.
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Physical
Inclinations
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It takes a certain amount
of critical thinking to imagine why Kabbalah would depict the range of
spiritual inclinations on the Physical Foundation from
Idleness-Independence. One would think, relationship-wise, more
Independence is bad.
This Leaf's "Pure Intelligence" holds the key. It shows that no matter
what we hope or dream, (for example, being able to fly) we are
constrained by Physical Foundation's Machinery of the Universe.
Thus, remaining Idle about one's physical feelings towards another is
not practical, and at worst, leads to Sloth. On the other hand,
asserting Independence enables us to discover our unique place in the
universe.
For many years, when I was interested in a guy, I would go directly up
to him and make it clearly known. Kabbalistically speaking, "giving" is
the male's duty, and "receiving" the female's. So, women's lib aside,
it would have helped me to understand nature's intended forces.
Learning to receive does not place me beneath (no pun intended) or make
me less than a man. In actuality, I have read that in certain regards,
the female is the "stronger" force; I will write more on this in the
future. An example is the law in which men are required to cover their
heads, but women are not (until they are married). Learning my "sexual"
place has made me feel more comfortable and in tune with the Machinery
of the Universe.
These days, there are times when men approach me, and I am not sure
whether I want to "get physical," even by the second month. My power of
Independence enables me to say no nicely, and has fostered several nice
friendships.
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Discovering the Forest for the Trees
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After
numerous hours of research into the virtues and vices on the Tree of
Life, (constrained by my basic knowledge of only Hebrew letters) I
found an important publication that will enhance Kabbalah-Dating, and
enable me to develop more ideas and practices. Take a peek at the table
on the Kabbalah.torah-code.org website that depicts Trees and Subtrees
of virtues and vices: a key source of knowledge for this practice.
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The Awakened Heart Project Meditation
Retreat
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This month, I attended a Jewish meditation retreat that
included silence and serious focus on breathing, eating, and walking.
(To add a bit of levity, not the usual Jewish inclinations.) The
Awakened Heart Project is captivating many people with its
cross-pollination of Jewish and Buddhist ideas. Through it, you will
meet world-class leaders in the field.
I plan on using some of the meditation techniques in my teachings, and
will inform you when I do so as well.
Contact The Awakened Heart Project for
their free book!
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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 an ordained Rabbi. I
encourage you to interpret the Tree of Life in a way that makes sense
to you, and to engage in deeper study. Please visit our blog to share your experiences if you are so inclined.
Shalom,
Elly Malka Faden
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See Newsletter 3, Understanding
Creating
the Physical
Foundation
of
a
Relationship
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Month
two
focuses
on
the first Leaf in the your relationship's Physical
Foundation. As time goes on, you will be developing the Romantic,
Physical, and Spiritual Foundations while dating.
Physical Foundation's "Machinery of the Universe" is so strong it can
barely be resisted through willpower alone. Just as gravity cannot be
denied, neither can the physical chemistry you feel when you meet
someone attractive.
Religious precepts may suggest waiting before engaging in intimate
relations, and you may have personal rules regarding touching that mean
you will hold off.
In any event, establishing a healthy Physical Foundation is of the
utmost importance in dating and relating. Ultimately, the physical
relationship combines the Kabbalistic forces of two people in the most
powerful way, and closely resembles the power of God.
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| The Physical Foundation Leaf |
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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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| Next Teaching |
The next Spiritual Singles talk will be held at Chochmat Halev in Berkeley on
December 19 at 6:45. We will have a Havdallah service, talk on a Leaf,
and meditation. Hope to see you there!
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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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