AboutBob Waxman, M.A. Expertise Please ask any question relating to the universal aspects of Kabbalah or comparisons between unitive consciousness and the ancient wisdom of Kabbalah. Also, you are welcome to ask questions concerning Comparative Mysticism and Inter-Spirituality. Other areas of special interest are: cosmology, numerology (gematria), hidden meanings of the Bible, what happens after death, the purpose of life, the eternal validity of the soul, the importance of the inner voice, and parallels with modern science.
Experience Author of "Kabbalah Simply Stated" published by Paragon House. The book is distributed in 12 countries. Author of "The Seven Fundamental Propositions of Kabbalah" and "The Power of AWE!". Studied Kabbalah with Rabbi Azriel Abraham of Jerusalem from 1985 -1998, and have been teaching since 1999. Classes include: Kabbalah According To The Scholars, (Scholem, Kaplan & Tisby), Comparative Kabbalah, and Universal Kabbalah. Thousands have attended these classes over the years. Additionally, (4) on-going classes in Sarasota, FL, and many private students by phone. Guest speaking presentations are given throughout the year. Please see current biography at: http://www.bobwaxman.com
Organizations President of The Open Center.
Publications (3) Books, many original articles that can be found on the internet (ezine, netterweb, searchwarp, etc.) "Beyond Madonna - Kabbalah according to the Great Scholars" and "Beyond The Da Vinci Code", see: http://www.robertwaxman.org for more articles.
Education/Credentials Two B.A.'s from The American University in Philosophy and Psychology; M.A. from Skidmore College in Comparative Religion; currently working on Ph.D in Human Sciences at Saybrook Graduate College. Also, graduated from The School of Practical Philosophy in NYC, and certified by The American Seminar Leader's Association. Host of the Kabbalah WebRing on the internet.
Awards and Honors Many certificates of appreciation from various organizations.
Past/Present Clients Longboat Key Education Center, The Open Center, Unity of Sarasota, Center For Positive Living, (5) Jewish Community Centers in South Florida, many synogogues, churches, interfaith groups and religious/philosophical organizations.
Question I'm having serious money problems right now and I'm unhappy with life in general. I was raised Catholic but I don't consider myself a Catholic anymore. I don't believe that anybody is coming to save me and I don't care about praying to God and don't I expect anything from him. I've lost my faith in religion but I still feel as though I'm a spiritual person. I heard about Kabbalah in LA and went to a meeting there. It was ok, but it didn't feel right for me. My daughter likes Kabbalah and she thinks I should study it. I'm not really very excited about what I've heard so far and I was hoping you could tell me more. What exactly can Kabbalah do for me? thank you for taking my question. Angela
Answer Hi Angela,
Thank you for your question concerning the benefits of Kabbalah.
First, I'm sorry to hear about your financial situation. This country is going through a difficult economic cycle, and unfortunately, too many people are hurting right now.
In terms of vocation, Kabbalah teaches that each person should express their creative abilities in the world. If you can start a full or part-time business by using your specific talents, your enthusiasm and self-confidence can result in improving your financial condition. If you need to find investors, simply explain your plan to others, and offer them logical reasons for needing seed capital. Again, your enthusiasm is the key for attracting investors. Positive-energy is contagious, and many people want to invest in others, who are 100% committed to making their dreams come true. In Kabbalah, your so-called 'dreams' are not really dreams at all. They are the representation of your unique individuality that reflects the essence of your "Soul-Print" (also the name of a Kabbalah book by Marc Gafni).
In terms of your religious outlook, please be assured that there are many people who change their spiritual beliefs - and no one can say which one is right for you. If you try other Kabbalah classes, or read Kabbalah books by world-renowned scholars, you may have a better feeling for this ancient wisdom tradition.
You will find that Kabbalistic philosophy is unlike traditional (exoteric)religions. In Kabbalah, there is no "personal" God with an image. This concept is very difficult for many people to accept, since they are taught from childhood to believe in an anthropomorphic God. They are also taught that this entity is watching over them and judging them constantly. However, since there is no proof to back-up any claims about the nature of God, Kabbalah does not try to define IT (Ain-Soph). Instead, Kabbalah refers to IT as an infinite, omniscient, eternal Being-and-Non Being. Sometimes IT is referred to as: Everything there is, Was, and Shall Be.
In Kabbalah, you look within yourself to find your answers. It is an esoteric philosophy that helps you find meaning and purpose in life. It also helps you understand who you truly are. When you speak with your daughter, you may want to ask her what aspects of Kabbalah she likes, and why these subjects appeal to her. There are so many different types of Kabbalah, and so many different subjects, that usually an individual will begin with one subject, and then flow into the next one. As an example, there is the study of (4) levels of meanings in the Bible (Pardes), understanding of The Tree of life (Etz Chaiim), numerology (Gematria), the teachings of The Zohar (Book of Splendor), mending oneself (Tikkun ha-Nefesh), helping to mend the world (Tikkun Olam), different forms of meditation (Kavvanah), and many other topics which are too numerous to mention here.
My favorite starter book for new students is "God Is A Verb" by Rabbi David Cooper. He is an extraordinary writer because he understands Kabbalah's connection with other traditions. He also explains the basic frameworks of Kabbalah in an enjoyable manner.
To answer your question, "What can Kabbalah do for me?" It can lead you to self-realization, inner illumination, and an understanding of your life's purpose. However, Kabbalah itself, is only the motivator - you are the one who must do all the inner work. Over time, Kabbalah's teachings can open your heart, increase your awareness, and help your mind to become as 'sharp as the edge of a razor'.
Angela, I hope this information has been helpful to you.
