Essential Zohar by Rav P. Berg
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:34 pm
This book will begin to evolve on the second or third time around... Kabbalah is interesting, it requires practical application and discipline to be conscious in every moment - conscious of how you treat people, the words you use, the resources you take, the contributions you make.
Here is a paraphrased story from the book that I found to be very empowering
A man is approached by an angel and is given the opportunity to see heaven and hell. The angel takes the man to a beautifully ornate gate through which they walk and approach a large arched entry into what appeared to be a great dining hall stretching as far as he could see and covered with food. However, something was terribly wrong for on either side of this table sat skinny and emaciated people that were starving and unable to eat this feast because shackled to their hand was a 3 foot long spoon which was too long to eat with. This had to be hell. The thought of spending eternity tortured like this was enough for the man to demand to leaveā¦
Immediately the man along with his companion appeared in front of another gate. This gate too was beautifully ornate and curiously similar to the previous. As they walked through they approached a large arched entry into what also appeared to be a great dining hall filled with the aroma of a bountiful feast. In front of the man was another picnic style table stretching as far as he could see, covered with food. But something was very different, for the people that sat before this feast were happy, healthy, and even making jokes amongst each other. These people had the same 3 foot long spoon shackled to their hand however instead of trying to feed themselves, they were feeding each other.
The same situation can be heaven or hell entirely based upon our perspective.
Next time you get lost on your way somewhere, choose to see it as an opportunity to discover something new.
Next time someone cuts in front of you on the freeway, choose to see this person as being in a bigger rush than you are and feel compassion for what ever is going on in their life that has created their urgency.
Next time someone says something to intentionally hurt you, choose to feel compassion for a person that feels they must extinguish your light in order for theirs to shine.
Adam
http://braatah.com/adams-cave/
Here is a paraphrased story from the book that I found to be very empowering
A man is approached by an angel and is given the opportunity to see heaven and hell. The angel takes the man to a beautifully ornate gate through which they walk and approach a large arched entry into what appeared to be a great dining hall stretching as far as he could see and covered with food. However, something was terribly wrong for on either side of this table sat skinny and emaciated people that were starving and unable to eat this feast because shackled to their hand was a 3 foot long spoon which was too long to eat with. This had to be hell. The thought of spending eternity tortured like this was enough for the man to demand to leaveā¦
Immediately the man along with his companion appeared in front of another gate. This gate too was beautifully ornate and curiously similar to the previous. As they walked through they approached a large arched entry into what also appeared to be a great dining hall filled with the aroma of a bountiful feast. In front of the man was another picnic style table stretching as far as he could see, covered with food. But something was very different, for the people that sat before this feast were happy, healthy, and even making jokes amongst each other. These people had the same 3 foot long spoon shackled to their hand however instead of trying to feed themselves, they were feeding each other.
The same situation can be heaven or hell entirely based upon our perspective.
Next time you get lost on your way somewhere, choose to see it as an opportunity to discover something new.
Next time someone cuts in front of you on the freeway, choose to see this person as being in a bigger rush than you are and feel compassion for what ever is going on in their life that has created their urgency.
Next time someone says something to intentionally hurt you, choose to feel compassion for a person that feels they must extinguish your light in order for theirs to shine.
Adam
http://braatah.com/adams-cave/