At the Threshold of Infinity

Question: During the lesson I am constantly thinking about the upcoming convention and it's hard for me to focus on the lesson. Am I losing something as a result of this?

Dr. Laitman's Answer: Of course not. We always feel the pressure in the process of preparing for such massive events. Once a year we get together at a convention in the United States, and we should see this as a unique opportunity to unite with each other. There is no other opportunity to receive more Surrounding Light, support, and strength to advance than at gatherings such as this.

This is exactly what I personally expect. I remember how when I began studying with Rabash, literally a few months later we traveled to Tzfat together. In a small yard by a little house, all of Rabash's students gathered who had studied with him at different times and suddenly they wanted to join us. About 40 people gathered, which was a pretty big group before I brought new students to him.

I saw how excited he was by this trip and by being there. I asked him, "What is so special about it?" He explained that these gatherings are the most effective means in our world for spiritual advancement when a person comes in order to unite with others, works for this sake, makes efforts, and desires to receive the forces from others, to gather and absorb them inside of him, to literally drink up this might. And this depends only on him and his sensitivity.

If I prepare for the convention the right way, then when I come there, I receive everything I possibly can. It all depends on me. It is because we are standing in front of Infinity. I can come to the convention and not receive anything, scorning others, and leaving there even colder than before. Or I can come there and be impressed, touched, and inspired. I can absorb so much strength and Surrounding Light that I wouldn't receive during years of study. Everything depends on my preparation.

Therefore we must already be preparing for the upcoming convention. Before such a huge event, when a person is planning to connect with others, he must experience worry and fear, feeling that he is standing at the threshold of great inner changes. This pressure-filled expectation and preparation is even felt physically.

From the 2^nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 03/08/11, The Zohar

A Convention Is the Holiday of the Soul

Question: Does a convention hold a greater potential for attracting the miraculous force of the Light than at regular times?

Dr. Laitman's Answer: Yes. It is precisely at such great gatherings as an international convention and generally during all the special gatherings and assemblies of friends that we make very big efforts with our mutual forces, and that is exactly what is necessary for attracting the miraculous force of correction.

That is why Kabbalists advised us to hold such gatherings, and we act only according to their instructions. After all, we want to attain something through miraculous means without understanding how it happens, without seeing the cause and effect connection between the next level and the one we are on, and without knowing all of the conditions that we have to observe to achieve it.

That is why we follow the Kabbalists' advice and they tell us that we have to become included in the society, to unite with others as much as possible, to study together with everyone with the intention to attract the Surrounding Light, meaning by expressing our desire to ascend to a higher level, to bestowal and unity. And it's clear that the more of us that get together, the greater is our might in quality and quantity, and the more significantly we can advance.

The sum of all such actions and the accumulation of efforts is what finally brings us to the "finding."

From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 03/08/11, The Importance of the Study