Like a balloon inflating with hot air, I got ready to blow up at him.

But then something happened. In a moment of unusual lucidity, I saw future before my eyes. This is what it looked like:

First, I’d blow up. I’d express some righteous indignation (in a loud voice). I’d persist until my husband (generally a pretty nice, easy-going guy) admitted that his behavior had been rude and inconsiderate. Then, once my anger was properly validated, I’d forgive him and we could be friends again – but only after I’d temporarily diminished his ego and inflated my own.

In that one lucid moment I realized that I could simply skip whole thing and go straight to being authentic and close. I saw a new possibility – possibility of refusing to be a slave to my own ego. To choose from a deeper, calmer, more authentic part of myself.

I was overwhelmed with a sense of how massively stupid, predictable, automatic and ridiculous this whole pattern actually is.

What part of me saw that new possibility? The part that peeked out through surface of my ego – a little piece of my core.

EGO AND PURPOSE – THE STAGES OF CREATION

The world was created in three basic stages.

In Stage One, G-d’s* Infinite all-pervasive essential light was shining without limit, filling all space. There was no place devoid of it, and therefore nothing could exist aside from it. This is stage of Infinity.

In Stage Two, G-d concealed His Infinite light in order to create an apparently ‘empty space’ in which other things (i.e., universe, us) could exist. This concealment of truth is Stage Two. This is stage of finite, where it became possible for myriad creatures and myriad perspectives, each with its own limited boundaries and parameters, to exist.

Stage Three is merging of infinite and finite. It involves transformation of finite inhabitants of universe. They must move from a state of being which conceals their infinite Divine Source to one which expresses and reveals it.

Like a game of hide and seek, G-d conceals Himself in our finite world and waits for us to find Him. Through this process He can endow us with greatest gift there is – to exist as finite individuals and yet experience a truly intimate relationship with our Creator.

Your ego is central to this process.

Like everything in physical world, your ego hides light of your essence. It is what allows you exist as a separate individual. By blocking out your intrinsic connection to G-d, your true nature and purpose, and essential oneness of universe, your ego allows you to function as an individual. It allows you to have a personal perspective and a personal experience of life. Without it you’d be simply a part of whole.

But this is only beginning process. The ultimate goal is that through your ego - your role as a limited individual with a limited perspective, you will find your way back home.

HOW IT WORKS

We have entered Era of Transformation. This means that you can train your ego-based identity to recognize and align itself with voice of your authentic self. The ego doesn’t have to be defended or suppressed – it can be transformed. Your ego can be used on behalf of purpose for which it was created in first place – to allow you to enhance your relationship with your Creator, express potential of your essence, and fulfill your purpose here on earth.

Your defensive ego-based reactions will probably not go away for now. But instead of being a slave to them, you can use them as impetus to connect to these deeper parts of you. The moment you choose to observe yourself rather than react, to question your own defensive instincts, to genuinely see another person’s point of view, to admit where you may be wrong, to connect with something higher, to be generous with your time, money or resources when you don’t have to, you have made your ego your ally.

In fact, whenever you choose use your body, your mind, your time, your relationships or your possessions to fulfill your authentic purpose - to do something intrinsically good or G-dly - those things, for that moment, are Holy. They have been used on behalf of purpose of Creation. You have created a bit of light through which world’s darkness and concealment will be transformed.

*Since Torah forbids erasing of G-d’s name, it’s customary to avoid writing it out in full. © Shifra Hendrie, Kabbalah of Transformation / www.kabbalahoftransformation.com.

Shifra Hendrie is a professional life coach who works with spiritually-minded people to create breakthrough results in their lives, businesses and relationships. She uses a unique combination of profound spiritual wisdom and cutting edge coaching techniques.

But paradoxically, this ‘lowest world’ is where all action is. This is only place where purpose of Creation can be fulfilled. This is true because of our uniquely limited nature, because of fact that we feel sourceless, solid and alone. Only we physical beings have potential to actually ‘relate’ to G-d, who is in fact, sourceless, and ‘alone’ - only reality.

Here’s paradox: As long as we are in dark, blind to our source, we remain ‘lowest world’, a world of darkness, suffering and evil.

But, when we begin to see through our own limitations to our source and purpose, we become highest. We will always maintain sense of unique ‘selfness’ and solidity that makes us human, but this ‘selfness’ will be fully illuminated by something beyond limitations of our human experience. We will gain a tangible awareness of G-d’s presence and purpose in every detail of our human lives. What initially concealed truth will ultimately reveal it.

Through this process, this physical, ‘lowest’ world will become place where G-d is most fully expressed, His true home.

This transformation is purpose of creation. You are here to take a world that is blind to truth, filled with darkness, negativity and evil, and transform it into a home for G-d. To reconnect with your source. To allow light of your soul, and awareness of your Creator, to shine through limitations of your solid, physical body and linear mind.

In embracing this mission, you will begin by transforming yourself and your environment. More and more, you will live a life that is an expression of your own highest potential. And in doing so, you will create an inhabitable world; a world that is a joy to live in, a true home.

This is ultimate win-win. And, by way, it’s ultimate reward. Kabbalah views afterlife as a temporary stopping place between one incarnation and next, where learning is processed, corrections made, and soul cleansed and refreshed. The real reward is here, on earth, as evolved souls, in transformed bodies, in a transformed world. Sharing a home with G-d.

We are in final stage of transformation process, at end of millennia of darkness and separation. It is time to reconnect with our source. Our souls sense this, even if our consciousness is a step behind. That’s why so many of us are searchers. And that’s why for first time, Divine wisdom of Kabbalah has been made available to ordinary people.

As a culture we have begun transition from blindness and self-centeredness to wisdom and purpose. We are becoming searchers. It’s possible now – with right knowledge and with sincere effort - to see through walls of our physical existence to true nature and purpose of life. To begin to know thoughts of G-d.

In this process, Kabbalah is our guide.

Kabbalah as blueprint for Creation, is inner spiritual process through which G-d creates, sustains and transforms our world. Since it is blueprint, studying Kabbalah will automatically give you insights into workings of your own soul and world around you.

And, because we are entering climax of history, path of authentic Kabbalah has been opened to every person, Jewish or otherwise, who sincerely wishes to reach his highest potential as a human being created in image of G-d.

As a side effect, it will change your world.

© Shifra Hendrie, Kabbalah of Transformation, 2005 www.kabbalahoftransformation.com

*Since Torah forbids erasing of G-d’s name, it’s customary to avoid writing it out in full.

Shifra Hendrie is a business and life coach. She works with spiritually-minded people to create breakthrough results in their lives, businesses and relationships through a unique combination of profound spiritual wisdom and cutting edge coaching techniques.