IS GUSTAV HURRICANE KATRINA PART 2?

I sure hope not. Let's all collectively send our good thoughts to the people of all of those coastal cities/towns, and hope for them to not be directly hit or hit at all. As you probably remember, Katrina wasn't a direct hit and we saw the damage from that almost exactly 3 years ago. 

Tropical Storm Gustav is expected to strengthen into a hurricane later Thursday and pass close to Jamaica, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm -- which left at least 22 people dead in Haiti and the Dominican Republic -- is picking up strength, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph (110 kph), according to the center's advisory issued at 7:30 a.m. ET Thursday.

Forecasters said Gustav eventually could become a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds as high as 130 mph (209 kph).

For the rest of the story, click here. 

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF

Sunday, August 17

Whenever someone prepares a meal for my father, the Rav, he knows exactly what that person is going through. Just from tasting the food, he can tell everything about the chef.

This is what it means to be sensitive. And we all have this ability. When we are dealing with conflicts with our spouse or kids or colleagues, we have the ability to hone in on their pain, or confusion, or whatever it is that disturbs them. And we can help.

Think about this today. When are you are in contact with people, see if you can pick up what is going on beneath the surface.

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: OPEN WIDE

Saturday, August 16

There is a joke about these two shoe salesmen who travel to a third world country in search of new business opportunities.

One man calls his wife the moment he lands, telling her, "Honey, I'm coming back home. There's no hope here. Nobody here is wearing shoes, so there's no one to sell to." He boards the next flight home.

The second man calls his wife and says, "Honey, you wouldn't believe what I found here. There is so much opportunity. No one here is wearing shoes. I can sell to the whole country!"

There's opportunity everywhere. When we have a consciousness of expecting the magic to happen, it will happen. We'll find the right people, we'll move in the right circles, we'll 'bump' into the right solutions. It all starts with that opening in the mind.

Open up today. Open wide!

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: BEYOND ME

Tuesday, August 12

We all reach points in our days when we don't understand. It can be a relationship challenge, a health issue, which direction to do with our career, a difficult passage of study, a momentous business decision. We all get those 'not-knowing' moments.

The way to see with clarity is, according to Rav Ashlag, to stretch. Not physically [though a forward bend always does wonders.] But to really do something that is outside your zone of comfort, out of the norm. When we elevate above the normal course of things, the Light responds in kind.

Suddenly we understand what we are reading, suddenly we know which doctor to go to, suddenly we see what limiting belief has been sabotaging our relationships. These moments of epiphany do not come from our brains, they come from the Light.

Go above your nature today. Really stretch your tolerance or patience or compassion or belief in yourself. Do something that will build the vessel for whatever it is that's beyond you to come in.

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: THE EVIL EYE

Monday, August 11

Giving others the evil eye [judgment and envy] indicate we're disconnected from the love of the Creator and feeling separated from others. But we know that the separation we feel is just an illusion. So what's the solution?

Remember, the golden rule of Kabbalah, which is also the Golden Rule we were taught in childhood, love thy neighbor as thyself. Do unto others as we would have others do unto us. In other words, treat others with human dignity, respect, and care, because that is what we would want to experience for ourselves.

We can't have a double standard. There is no loophole in the Universal Law that allows me to treat people selfishly, while the whole world gives me a break.

Today, show others love, respect, and acceptance - despite your desire to feel otherwise. This is one way to overcome the evil eye.

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: FIGURE IT OUT

Sunday, August 10

Over the years, students have come to me with their dilemmas, wanting to know what I think. Many times, I've answered, 'I don't have an opinion', 'What do you think?"

'You don't have an opinion?''

Of course I do. The Gemini in me has loads of opinions. But my opinions are not as important as your own.

We all get in the habit of running to our teachers, doctors, lawyers, parents, etc. for help, and it sucks our energy. We don't need to be running to people every time we have a question.

The Rav has always taught me that the process of working over a question in our mind, solving our own problem, is how we exercise our free will. Pursuing questions and figuring things out is how we connect our 1 percent lives to the 99 percent. Consciousness is the bridge.

When we sacrifice our free will for the sake of listening to others, we are severing our link to the spiritual side of life.

Today, I'm not telling you what I think you need to do. You figure it out.

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: TAME THE BEAST

Saturday, August 9

When we react to something, we are tapping into our animal nature. As far as we know, animals are not able to access that split second before a response. Their desires are compulsive, and their reactions are as well; they go for the instant gratification.

When we pause first or restrict our response, however, we are tapping into our God nature. We are choosing to no longer be the effect of our desire. Instead, we are choosing to be the cause.

Restriction, by the way, doesn't mean that we won't decide to satiate that desire after all. It just means that we pause and make a conscious decision.

Today, do whatever it is you do. Just make sure you're doing it by choice, not habit.

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

The thoughts you put out there attract similar and the universe doesn't discern between good and bad thoughts. Which frequency would you like to be on?

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: FOG LIGHTS

Friday, August 8

The experience of the 99% Realm is like those hazy moments when we are half awake and half asleep, when we are aware we are dreaming and trying desperately to hang onto that thread that connects us to the dream, but we know that if we yank too hard on the thread, we will lose the dream altogether.

This is what it feels like when we lose even our brief connections to the Light.

Disconnecting from the Light is the source of our unhappiness. Whenever we feel depressed, unfulfilled, or anxious, it's because we have lost touch with the 99% Realm.

Today, strive to elevate above the fog of the 1% Realm. What seems real is not always so. Turn on your fog lights.

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: TOXIC WASTE

Thursday, August 7

There was a time, before you were born, when people didn't make the connection between the dumping of toxic waste in the ocean and thousands of people becoming seriously ill from eating ocean fish.

It seemed as if a plague had hit. It was scary. People felt as if something awful was suddenly happening to them, something over which they had no control.

Eventually, through careful research and investigation, the connections between the toxic dumping, the fish, and the illnesses were made. Cleanup efforts began, and people stopped getting sick.

Chaos is the misperception that there are no connections. In fact, everything is connected. Everything.

Today, remember everything you do starts with you and ends with the world. Think before you speak or act. Your actions and words have everlasting effects.

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: DELIGHTFUL

Tuesday, August 5

Judging from emails I've been getting from students, there are some of us who feel like we have never experienced 'the Light.'

Let me tell you that you have. We all have, even though it may be fleeting.

Think of the moment you put the final touches on a project that you fiercely believed in, one that took lots of time and effort to complete. That rush of a job well done is the Light.

Or how about that time you thought of someone and they called just at that moment. That too is the Light. Or when you get a great idea or answer. That too is the Light.

So you have touched the Light. The more you look for it, the more you will find it.

Today, find the Light in everything you are doing. It's there. Allow yourself to recognize it.

Have a delightful day.

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: WAITING ROOM

Saturday, August 2

If you've been reading these emails or any communications from The Kabbalah Centre, you're accustomed to our signature phrase, the one secret that will change your life!

Well, I got another one. Patience. Big secret. HUGE.

It's goes like this, some kind of crisis leads us to walk down the spiritual path. At first, because we are so low and humble, we are grateful for any love that comes our way. As we starting walking faster, with more confidence in our stride, we become familiar with the landscape of miracles, and we know there are goodies coming our way so long as we keep walking.

After a while, we get impatient for the goodies, as if we are owed something in a timely manner. We scan Zohar and then we look up expecting the soul mate to jump on the bus. Or we donate money and we expect a raise in the next paycheck. We become impatient with God.

Patience is giving God room to do his [or her] work. It's knowing that we'll get what we deserve when the time is right. That time could be any time.

Today, forget about the result. Just put in the work, and send your wishes and prayers into the universe. The things you are looking for will be found in your patience.

DAILY KABBALAH TUNE UP: YOU SHOULDN'T READ THIS

Friday, August 1

I just want to tell you today that there are a lot of things you should be doing. You should be sharing more with other people. You should be eating healthier. You should be scanning your Zohar a lot more. A lot

How does it feel when you read this? Am I inspiring you? Or am I making you want to throw your computer [and me] out the window?

Should is a terrible, terrible word. It creates resistance, not rejuvenation. It implies that we are not enough. And it's a word many of us use in our own inner dialogue. And that's exactly one of the reasons we don't do the things we should do.

Should is never the reason to do something. Nor will it ever be the motivation you need.

Today, when you're feeling under the weather or your gut is getting humongous or you're having a challenging day at work or God is the last thing on your mind, tell yourself that this is your OPPORTUNITY to use the tools, to scan more, to share more, to love more, to break a habit, to expand your vessel.

Intention is the key here. Don't do anything because you should. Do it because you know how good it will feel once you do it. Do it because you want to. Do it because you're excited for the chance to put these tools to use.

But please, don't do it because you should.

P.S. You should have a great weekend!

Daily Kabbalah Tune Up: Goin' Down to Go Up

Thursday, July 31

Years ago in Queens, a student of my father was in a desperate financial situation. He hit rock bottom; creditors were lining up at his door and he could barely feed his family. He was frantic. My father, with his typical certainty and calm, told the man not to worry, "this is a good sign!"

When we hit rock bottom, though it's painful physically, it is also a breaking of klipot [shells of negativity] that create barriers between us and our true fulfillment. Of course, no one wants to be in this position - it hurts! But at the same time, we want to have the courage to accept it. The faster we admit that the pain has a purpose, the faster it will fill its purpose and subsequently go away.

Remember today that temporary pain prepares us to receive lasting fulfillment. Have the courage to fully experience your pain. You'll be surprised at the messages it can bring you.

Daily Kabbalah Tune Up: Enjoy Yourself

Wednesday, July 30

I've got an unusual request today. Do something that's just for you. Enjoy yourself.

We are going through a tough time (The Three Negative Weeks.) There's a lot of judgment flying around (our heads.) And it's ok to find little pleasures that make us happy. Sometimes indulging in a fatty snack or taking an extra ten minutes on our lunch hour or going to the beach instead of the gym is just what we need to put a smile back on our faces.

Do something for yourself today, guilt-free. If you're not happy, then none of us are happy.

Daily Kabbalah Tune Up: Get Shocked

Tuesday, July 29

Restriction (the decision not to have immediate gratification) is something we have to recommit to every morning if we want to steer our lives in new and exciting direction.

We put ourselves through so much pain every time we dash after transient highs, whether it's a compliment or a purchase or an indulgment or literally a drug.

Many of us are aware of this, but we still can't stop. We can't help but stick our finger right in the socket. And we like it! But there's a price to pay. Hope this isn't sounding preachy, but let's be honest with ourselves.

Recommit to restriction today. It's the best path to revealing lasting Light. Yes, you will continue to shock yourself — that's what this game is all about. But just keep getting back on the horse. Every time you assert your conscious intent to restrict, you will be able to experience more real pleasure.

Daily Kabbalah Tune Up: Chubby Babies

Monday, July 28

Red String. If there's one thing everyone knows about The Kabbalah Centre, it's that we teach the importance of wearing it in order to protect ourselves from the evil eye. I'm certainly not going to be able to explain this seemingly archaic concept to readers in a mere paragraph. But for those of you who have been studying and wearing it, you know its powers.

I was reading this week in one of the ancient texts that 'fish do not have evil eye because they are completely surrounded by water.'

Ok, a little weird. Who ever thinks of fish getting or giving evil eye. But the kabbalistic meaning of this concept is that water is chesed [mercy.] What I want to share with you about this is that when we immerse ourselves in the waters of a sharing consciousness, caring about others, the jealousy of people has no effect on us. Be merciful today. Cut people some slack. Smile at people like you're smiling at chubby little babies.

Daily Kaballah Tune-up: Put Your Mask On

Wednesday, July 16

Before we can truly help others, we must first learn to help ourselves.

It's like the oxygen masks on an airplane. We are instructed to put on our own oxygen mask before assisting small children or others in need. The reason for this is that if you don't know how to help yourself, and are therefore not fully functioning, you will not be able to help anyone else. Without your own oxygen mask in place, you may pass out before safely securing someone else's. Then, clearly, you will have been of no help at all!

Today, make sure your needs are met. Not the superficial desires, but the deep yearnings of your soul. Get enough air in your lungs so you'll have that much more energy to truly help others.

Daily Kaballah Tune-up: Shocked

Sunday, July 13

Reactive behavior creates intense sparks of Light but eventually leaves darkness in its wake.

Nestled within our reactive behavior is the desire for instant gratification. It offers a quick high that makes us feel alive and in control of our lives. We can become addicted to this feeling.

As we see in the case of a light bulb, when we resist reactive behavior, we generate Light. When we opt instead for instant gratification, we also create a very bright light. A direct connection occurs between our reactive desire (the negative pole) and the Light (the positive pole), producing a momentary flash of delight followed by darkness, because the bulb has burned itself out.

This is one of the unseen laws of the universe, not unlike gravity. If you jump out of a tall building, you will fall to the street below even if you are unaware of the existence of gravity. The same holds true of electricity. If you play with a live, high-voltage wire, you will get electrocuted even if you can't see the source of your demise.

Today, look into the areas of your life where you are sticking your finger in the socket. Ask yourself if the momentary jolts are worth all that pain.

Daily Kabbalah Tune Up: The Real Source

Saturday, July 12

Consider the light bulb in your ceiling. You flip a switch, and on it goes. But the light bulb is not the source of the light; the real source is an electric generator somewhere you can't even see. And there are rules around how much light can be emitted as well as when and why. The same is true with the Light of the Creator.

One of the common mistakes we all make is to confuse a person or thing with the Light. For instance, nothing feels as good as falling in love. So naturally we associate our girlfriend or boyfriend with those happy feelings and assume that person is the source of them. But it doesn't work that way. No other person can guarantee us the good feelings of love we are after. It's the way we act in relation to other people that brings the Light.

And that's what today is all about. Remembering that ultimately, your relationship to people and places is about your relationship to the Light of the Creator.