98. Connecting to Infinite Energy with Yehuda Ashkenazi

On the show today is Yehuda Ashkenazi. Yehuda is my Kabbalah teacher here in Los Angeles at the Kabbalah Centre, so I can vouch firsthand for his deep understanding of Kabbalistic principles and his ability to explain them clearly. Don’t worry if this Kabbalistic concept isn’t immediately clear, he will help to reveal and demystify some of the teachings and secrets of Kabbalah. We talk about transforming the negative into the positive, and how to align our outer physical world with our inner spiritual world. He has dramatically improved many lives, including mine, and I look forward to him changing yours as well! Find Out More About Yehuda Here: The Kabbalah Centre The Kabbalah Centre Los Angeles Kabbalah Centre Los Angeles on Facebook Yehuda Ashkenazi on Facebook @ashke72 on Twitter Yehuda Ashkenazi on YouTube In This Episode: [02:54] - Yehuda starts by explaining, in simple terms, what the 99% and the 1% mean in terms of the kabbalah. [05:10] - We learn more about the 99% and the 1% through an example that Yehuda provides about this podcast episode. Stephan then explains why the internal aspect is far more important than the external aspect. [07:07] - Yehuda shares a story about an experience with his own teacher that reveals the importance of intention. He then clarifies that we can’t live in a reality purely driven by intentions. [08:51] - Stephan brings up the kabbalah concept of the vessel. Yehuda then explores this concept, offering an analogy to explain what the vessel represents. [12:45] - Yehuda talks about the big-picture point of life from a kabbalistic standpoint, which, in simple terms, is achieving complete alignment with our purpose. [15:34] - Stephan talks about an exercise that Yehuda had him do in class that involved calling a loved one and asking them to offer one suggestion on how to improve oneself (and then seriously thinking and acting on the answer). [17:48] - We learn about the proactive formula and how to use it when we’re in a reactive state of mind. The first step, Yehuda explains, is to pause. [21:14] - Yehuda digs deeply into the second step of the proactive formula, which involves realizing that there is no external enemy, and the only enemy is your own reaction to the situation. [24:14] - Yehuda talks about “the opponent” as a kabbalistic concept, illustrating the game of life by talking about the game of tennis. [29:17] - Step number three is when we realize that the situation that seemed to be so challenging is actually coming from the light and is an opportunity for us to grow. [30:08] - Yehuda describes step four in the proactive formula. [32:08] - We hear a powerful story from Yehuda regarding a butcher who received a message from his father through a dream. [36:18] - Stephan brings us back to the example of giving a puzzle to a child. He and Yehuda then talk about the Bread of Shame and about the importance of putting in effort rather than simply receiving things. [39:44] - Yehuda explains the kabbalistic view of what occurs when someone receives lots of energy without having worked for it. [42:54] - Stephan talks about seeing money as simply energy, and the need for respecting that energy. Yehuda then compares money to breathing. [46:24] - Yehuda brings up an example to help listeners understand how energy works. [48:39] - Stephan explains why giving money to a homeless person isn’t tithing. Yehuda points out that this doesn’t mean it isn’t the right thing to do, but agrees that it’s different than tithing. They then discuss proactive versus reactive sharing. [52:17] - It’s easier for Stephan to donate time than money, but Yehuda explains that it’s the other way around for some people. [53:04] - Stephan shares one other idea about money that he learned from Yehuda, which is about respecting money. [56:53] - Yehuda shares some ways to get in touch with him and the Kabbalah Centre. Links and Resources: The Kabbalah Centre The Kabbalah Centre Los Angeles Kabbalah Centre Los Angeles on Facebook Yehuda Ashkenazi on Facebook @ashke72 on Twitter Yehuda Ashkenazi on YouTube Tikun The Bread of Shame Sea of Galilee Jordan River Tithing