Saving our planet has become a key issue on our global agenda. But to avoid further destruction of Earth, we must answer a much deeper question: what is life for?
Millions of people are starving in Third World countries, and billions others don’t have enough to eat or even clean drinking water. Their lives are so much harder than Westerners’ lives that it’s a wonder that they even endure.
In the West, people don’t suffer from such problems: they are generally healthy, generally wealthy, and their futures are (generally) secured. But Westerners have their own problems, the first of which is depression. Despite the high standard of living, depression is fastest spreading illness in the West.
According to an official brochure by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): “Depressive disorders make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up." Indeed, the startling suicide rates all over the Western world prove that more and more people are giving up, although they seemingly have everything.
If we compared the lives of Westerners to the lives of those living in Third World countries, we’d expect the contrary: that those in the West would try to make the most out of the opportunities they have, and that those in poorer countries would be in despair. Isn’t it strange that once we have everything, we throw it all away, including our lives?
Who’s Life is My Life? To understand this apparent paradox, we need a broader perspective. The fact of the matter is that today, as the seven-continent-wide show Live Earth so beautifully demonstrated, we are all interdependent. To save our own lives, and the lives of our children we need to co-operate. However, we will not want to co-operate unless we know what for. We need to understand the reason we exist, the meaning of our lives, and from that derive motivation for positive global action.
According to the wisdom of Kabbalah, our interdependency stems from the “oneness" concept, from the fact that we are not only interdependent, but are all one entity. Our faces may seem different, but underneath our skins, we are quite similar. If we hadn’t been similar, modern medicine would not be possible. The deeper you dive into matter, the more similar the elements become. Thus, if you analyze the particles that make up each atom, you’ll find only two basic elements -- the nucleus and the electrons surrounding it. The most basic building blocks of life, all of life, are the same. And they are not only the same, but materials constantly exchange elements, electrons, which brings contemporary physicists to state that at the most fundamental level of nature, we are all literally one. If we comprehend that, we will see that understanding the meaning of our lives, as well as achieving well-being, is not so much a question of what I do for me, but more of how I interact with the whole world and for all of humanity.
The Meaning of Life The oneness concept was first discovered by ancient Kabbalists some 5,000 years ago, but is today a proven scientific fact. This concept tells us that life’s purpose is not a personal thing, it is a comprehensive, “panoramic" perception of all that exists. According to the wisdom of Kabbalah, only when we transcend our selves, our egos, do we achieve life’s meaning, since only then do we see the “big picture," that is, our own place in the comprehensive picture of creation. It is only then that we understand why we are born and what we need to do in this life.
To understand the meaning of life, we need to achieve such a sensation of the universe that there will be no difference between life and death, and existence as physical entities or spiritual entities. If we could freely live in all dimensions, earthly and spiritual, and not just in our present perception, we would know that we truly are eternal.
In such a state of mind, one’s own life becomes as meaningful as another’s. There can be no animosity among people because all people are one. Rivalry would be tantamount to a kidney trying to dominate the liver. In such a state of existence, each person becomes Godlike, fully responsible for the whole of reality, and fully aware of everything that is happening within it, at any place and at any time.
Indeed, Kabbalah states that life’s meaning lies in its purpose -- to make all creations be like God -- eternal, omnipotent, and omniscient. Kabbalists call it "equivalence of form." This is the real Live Earth show.
Michael Laitman, M.D., Ph.D. is the founder of the Bnei Baruch Kabbalah Education and Research Institute that is dedicated to making the wisdom of Kabbalah widely available for free. The site features authentic Kabbalah content in over 25 languages, free downloads of Laitman’s eBooks and 1000s of Kabbalah lessons. Michael Laitman is a student of Baruch Ashlag, disciple of Yehuda Ashlag, author of the authoritative Sulam commentary of The Zohar.
Anonymous (308 days 11 hours ago.)
Thank you, I think this is about as close as one can get to the truth! Respond to this comment
(308 days 11 hours ago.)
Rav Laitman is the only person alive who can provide real valid answers Respond to this comment
Tim from Canada (308 days 11 hours ago.)
The world needs more wisdom like this, especially now Respond to this comment
Masha from New York (308 days 11 hours ago.)
the article is short and to the point. It's really hard to believe that the whole humanity is one living organism, with very similar to human body functions. but it makes sense and it's time to cure our unhealthy habits. thank you very much for your insight. Respond to this comment
Debbie from Chicago (308 days 11 hours ago.)
Excellent article! There is tremendous depth to what Michael Laitman writes about here. I'd love to read more. Respond to this comment
Anonymous (308 days 10 hours ago.)
Wow.. I feel inspired and full of hope for what is to come and the changes needed to get there. Respond to this comment
Matt from Sydney, Australia (308 days 10 hours ago.)
Profound, insightful & intriguing... Respond to this comment
Anonymous (308 days 7 hours ago.)
Such important concepts! Thank you! Respond to this comment
caro from chile (307 days 13 hours ago.)
excelent article, this is what I was looking for Respond to this comment
Anonymous (307 days 8 hours ago.)
Finally a different way of approaching the meaning of life question. It does make sens and is inspiring. Respond to this comment
Sharon Pius from U.S.A (307 days 6 hours ago.)
Just shows you that no matter where you are in the world, there is only One desire. Respond to this comment
gheorghe from romania (306 days 4 hours ago.)
shalom uracha
animals will be revive ?
in one day in holy tample hakohen pronunce the holy name . What is it ? ievareh otha hashem beholl tov Respond to this comment
sharon from California (305 days 7 hours ago.)
No matter where you are in this world, everybody at some point arrives at the question; "what is the meaning of my life?" Now we finally have a chance, not only to figure it out, but actually "live" this state of perfection! Respond to this comment
gerry from manchester u.k. (304 days 10 hours ago.)
First class stuff. Respond to this comment
Anonymous (304 days 8 hours ago.)
Could use more detail, I wish it was longer. Either way, really insightful. Respond to this comment
Andrey from Sorin (303 days 18 hours ago.)
Kabbalah is the is the only answer to the purpose of life, good article. Respond to this comment
Renda from White Plains, NY (303 days 11 hours ago.)
I fail to see the world as one living organism. If that were so, if one dies we all die. Laitman is attempting to get to an ecological perspective using somewhat worn out existential philosophy (anyone see "I [heart] Huckabee"?). The concept that we are all apart of the blanket of existence, woven together has some usefulness, but fails to appreciate the individuality and value that each individual is created with. The essay, Part of Something Bigger on Search Warp, raises this issue. Laitman would do well to review it. Respond to this comment
Vlad from San Francisco (303 days 8 hours ago.)
This is an unconditional true!!! Respond to this comment
gem from philippines (303 days ago.)
it enlightens my burdens of life... Respond to this comment
Karl from Minneapolis (302 days 23 hours ago.)
Existentialism by any other name is still existentialism. The oneness thing with the universe almost drains me of life. I'm sure Kabbalah has its good points, but they aren't expressed here. This is mind-numbing. Yeah, I know that is the pathway to Nirvana, oneness with the universe, but mind-numbing is mind-numbing, whether by mantra or drug-induced. That's as nice as I can put it and still give my opinion. If this is supposed to give me meaning for life, where's my overdose? Respond to this comment
Anonymous (302 days 19 hours ago.)
Finally an answer to the most important question in the world! Respond to this comment
Ronald from Lima, OH (296 days 12 hours ago.)
What is this? Jewish Taoism? I find his comments confusing and loaded with existential circular justification. He draws conclusions about the occurrence of increased depressive disorders in the West that can't conclusively be drawn. Furthermore the occurrence of depression and suicide in Japan is much greater than in the US. These are sales tactics, not philosophy. Respond to this comment
Denise from Massachusetts (291 days 10 hours ago.)
Excellent point in this article - correct interaction & co-operation with each other once we now what for... Respond to this comment
Anonymous (290 days 10 hours ago.)
A very nice summary of some key ideas of this ancient wisdom Respond to this comment
This article clearly describes....
If all humanity could understand the reason we exist
the "oneness" concept
that we are all interdependant
and are all one entity
we could make this world a better place for us and our children
the wisdom of kabbalah can take us there Respond to this comment
Anonymous (289 days 13 hours ago.)
A thought provoking article; I experienced many "ah ha" moments. Respond to this comment
Anonymous (266 days 5 hours ago.)
There's nothing here that isn't obvious to any person even slightly versed in spiritual matters. It's preaching to the choir. However, there's no clue herein as to how to experience this truth for those who DON'T know this. Therefore, the article as such is rather useless, sorry.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is
provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice
provided to you by any health care or other professional or
organization.
