| Governments all over the world are finding it difficult to | | | | of adversity, time of self-restriction for the benefit of |
| deliver on promises made to their electorate due to | | | | others. One feels naturally ashamed of splurging |
| soaring oil prices and slowing global economic growth. | | | | money and wasting scarce resources when it is clear |
| Indeed, economic conditions have changed since last | | | | that family, friends and neighbours will receive less for |
| year and it is becoming harder to fulfil all the promises | | | | it. It is also a time where faith in the future becomes |
| made to working families, entrepreneurs, corporations, | | | | critical. |
| local governments, meet the infrastructure needs of | | | | An enormous change is now required from all the |
| the future generations and save the planet. | | | | nations of the world, and in particular from the |
| We have had a great run of economic growth since | | | | developed nations. As it becomes apparent how |
| the Asia credit crisis and the burst of the Internet | | | | interconnected the world is, we need to realise that |
| bubble. We believed that this time we would be safe | | | | humanity is one single, integrated nation, with multiple |
| from recessions; Alan Greenspan, former chairman of | | | | provinces. Each province has its own strengths, |
| the US Federal Reserve, would see to it. Even now, | | | | weaknesses, needs and aspirations. But all are part of |
| voices rise to claim that we will be alright; the | | | | one. Our solidarity and self restraint have to now be |
| increasing consumerism of China and India is continuing | | | | conducted for the benefit of all including those who do |
| to pull the train of the world economy. We have | | | | not speak the same language that we speak, do not |
| shifted our adoration toward new idols. | | | | share the same beliefs, have a different colour of skin |
| If this could only be true. But history shows that it is | | | | or concepts of etiquette, who inhabit countries we |
| unlikely to be the case. In the last 100 years alone, a | | | | have never visited. |
| chain of economic crashes shine vividly in our mind as | | | | Throughout history, there have been societies |
| reminders of caution, to name just a few: 1929, 1939, | | | | established on the principle that the good of the |
| 1973, 1979, 1989, 1990 in Japan, 1998, 2000. Booms | | | | society is more important than the good of the |
| regularly end in busts, happy times end in tears. | | | | individual. Inevitably, these societies have failed, with the |
| Many things can go wrong that have not yet been | | | | greatest of all being the eventual demise of the Soviet |
| factored into our forecasts: the calamities that are | | | | Union, whose system was based on the abolition of |
| afflicting China, for example, could end up igniting | | | | private property and the imposition of institutionalised |
| inflation and depressing output; the rising cost of food in | | | | solidarity. The wisdom of Kabbalah explains to us why |
| the less developed inland areas of China and across | | | | these utopian societies are doomed. Each of them has |
| the rest of Asia could trigger social unrest of a grand | | | | attempted to impose altruistic behaviour on its |
| scale; the shortage of drinkable water could result in | | | | members, but Kabbalah tells us that our inherent nature |
| increased public spending and even border conflicts in | | | | is to operate based on self-interest. As a result, the |
| the interest of gaining access to water. | | | | individuals in these societies grow more and more |
| Every nation needs to think outside the box. The | | | | dissatisfied as they operate against their nature. And |
| degree of interconnectedness of our worldwide | | | | inevitably, some in the society begin to take more than |
| economic and financial systems, our reliance on | | | | others, whether it is of physical goods or of power. |
| overseas markets and overseas manufacturing | | | | The dichotomy between ideals and reality will |
| capacity, our dependency on international capital | | | | eventually destroy the system. |
| markets, to which China is a major contributor, make it | | | | According to Kabbalah, the only way to make a lasting |
| illusory to believe that we can be shielded from booms | | | | change where the members of the society will all feel |
| and busts. No intellectual model of reality can capture | | | | fulfilled and satisfied is to change our very nature. |
| all relevant factors, including what Nassim Nicholas | | | | Kabbalah provides a methodology for us to |
| Taleb calls “Black Swans”: high-impact, | | | | experience the reality that we are one universal |
| hard-to-predict, and rare events beyond the realm of | | | | human soul. When people understand this simple truth, |
| normal expectations. | | | | then it becomes obvious that taking care of others is |
| What should governments do in that case? There is | | | | really the same as taking care of yourself. There will |
| not much they can do. It’s up to us, simple citizens | | | | be no need to force people into giving and sharing. This |
| to guide these decisions. Are we going to fight for our | | | | will be their inherent nature, and the society will flourish. |
| individual share of a shrinking pie? Or are we going to | | | | The crises facing the world today will disappear as |
| act differently? | | | | over-consumption and exploitation become ancient |
| Not everything is bad about difficult times. These are | | | | history. The world will be in harmony. |
| times of personal growth, times of bonding in the face | | | | |