By Michael Berg

The path to becoming like God leads us, this week, to a very subversive idea.

It is the kabbalistic principle that no matter what occurs, we should accept it with serenity and joy. Or, as stated in the Talmud, (another ancient compendium of spiritual knowledge) whatever the Creator does He does for good, and we should have certainty that good will come out of it.

I call this idea subversive because it overthrows all our conventional reactions to life. Our beliefs rise up immediately. How can we be so positive, so naïve in the face of the challenges life assault us with? And the answer is: this is neither a recipe for passivity nor an advertising campaign for rose-colored glasses. This is a call to consciousness.

Through our consciousness, we can sweeten what's called judgment, and turn it into mercy. Meaning that through a consciousness of serenity and joy, we actually transform negative situations into positive ones.

Consciousness creates reality. God created the first reality and as we become like God, we can create reality as well. Nothing happens without a spiritual cause, and the spiritual cause for a negative situation is judgment. This doesn't mean there is some being that judges us. Judgment is a created energy that we activate. By changing our consciousness to joy and serenity we literally take negative energy and turn it into positive energy.

In the bible portion this week, Jacob settled in the land of Canaan. Jacob settled, or sat, in the land where his father lived. “Settled” is a code word for joy and serenity. But there is a play on words here. The Hebrew word for “settle” is the same as for “fear.” So Jacob was serene even where there was judgment.

The lesson is that even when confronted with fear and judgment, through the act of saying good will come out of the situation, the energy of judgment is changed.

Of course, if there is action to take, take it. But serenity and joy in the face of whatever happens is proactive rather than reactive. It is a tool to awaken the seed of positivity that lives, concealed, within every negative situation.

And that is the final point. This is not a guarantee. It's a tool. A car will take you where you're going, but not every time. You have to drive it. You have to put gas in it. And sometimes it will break down.

Consciousness of positivity is a tool. Like God, I am aware of the positive seed within all negative energy.

And I consciously decide to become a being of transformation.




QUESTION:

How do you decide that the action you are doing is revealing Light toward immortality?


ANSWER:

There is always one simple test. Before any action, ask yourself what is the thought, the cause, the consciousness behind the action.



If you are reacting to a feeling or fulfilling a desire of the ego, if the purpose of the action is to promote the ego, and is about selfishness, then that action moves you away from the Light and immortality.

If the action is coming from a place of sharing and giving, it reveals Light, and movers you closer to immortality.

Remember, the Opponent will try to trick us at times.

But if we are true to ourselves and think deeply about the cause of our action, we will know the truth.

We may not be ready to share every second. But, even when we are enjoying ourselves, we can begin to have a consciousness of sharing. I am exercising so I can be fit and healthy to contribute to people and the world. I am relaxing to get vigor for the same aim.

Spirituality is a logical and gradual process.

How much can I shift the overall focus of my life to sharing?