Innermost circle
The way to enter the spiritual world and understand it clearly is based on a single spiritual attribute: because
there are no boundaries in the spiritual world, the difference between spiritual objects is measured in attributes. If two objects are identical in every property, they unite and become one. Thus, the spiritual world is a world of attributes and desires. The separation or unity of two spiritual objects/desires is measured by the degree to which they are identical.
Rav Michael Laitman PhD
Page 41
September 4, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I’ve thought and wondered about identity in similar terms. For example, if subatomic particles are identical in their attributes, does this mean it’s all one particle even though they’re at different points in space/time?
Identity and memory is also interesting. When people maintain their belief in reincarnation, I’ve wondered how it can be that most people, having no recollection of ever having been someone else (whatever that would mean…), can be supposed to have been some particular sequence of past lives and not others. What would be the basis for one’s special identity with certain past lives and not others if we don’t remember any of them?
Such riddles aside, I do think that adult spritual growth is about losing our sense of special identity with ourselves.
September 4, 2008 at 6:28 pm
The question posed on identical sub-atomic particles is provoking, no doubt. However, considerations regarding identical physical attributes between objects, and relativity to time and space, are only applicable to the physical world. In true spiritual existence, time and space do not exist. Identical attributes between humans, as related to Kabbalah methodology, can only exist in the spiritual realm. Meaning, actual similarity in form can only exist at the level of the soul. In this physical world, our egoistic nature will not allow such a condition to occur. The best we can do is have a desire for similarity, and then act on that desire. This is precisely what the science of Kabbalah teaches us.
With regard to reincarnation, we do not remember these “past” lives because we are disconnected from that place (spirituality) which allows us to delve into the entirety of our existence. Our soul contains the “genetic DNA”, or impressions of all our incarnations. We access these impressions, they are revealed to us, at the point where we are filled with a desire for spirituality and then exert the effort to realize that desire.