| Did you ever wonder how a being from another planet | | | | action undertaken by anyone in the world is in |
| might perceive Planet Earth? What would a stranger | | | | fulfillment of this nature. Careful observation of |
| to our planet think if he saw a caterpillar right next to a | | | | ourselves and humanity will validate this statement. |
| butterfly? It is quite a phenomenon. | | | | If we wish to attain the enduring peace and happiness |
| A caterpillar has a long fat worm-like body covered in | | | | that Kabbalists tell us is awaiting us, we must change |
| a furry striped coat. It slithers along the ground eating | | | | our nature so that we are imbued with a desire to give |
| everything it can find. Eventually, it turns upside down | | | | pleasure to others. |
| and forms a cocoon. At this stage, it looks nothing | | | | Imagine the changes in the world if every person on |
| like the caterpillar or a butterfly. | | | | earth made this transformation: greed, exploitation and |
| In the cocoon, the caterpillar just hangs out and | | | | violence would disappear completely. There would be |
| transforms itself. All kinds of changes are taking | | | | no need for courts, armies or any governmental |
| place in the confines of that cocoon. When the time is | | | | offices. The vast resources that are freed up could be |
| right, it eats its way out of the cocoon. It must do it | | | | used to make life better for all. |
| with no help. Helping it can kill the butterfly. Then, | | | | Understanding the impact of this transformation seems |
| miraculously, a beautiful butterfly appears! | | | | more unbelievable than a Science Fiction film! It is |
| The difference between the caterpillar and the | | | | truly amazing and what is even more incredible is that |
| butterfly is so profound it’s hard to believe that it is | | | | there are people who have documented these |
| the same insect! One does not even need to be | | | | transformations as they personally experienced them. |
| from another planet to be astounded at the | | | | These people are called Kabbalists, and they have left |
| transformation. | | | | us the methodology to achieve this transformation for |
| There are so many more examples of amazing | | | | ourselves. |
| transformations in nature. A seed of corn does not | | | | Just like the caterpillar, we must work hard to prepare |
| resemble a stalk of corn. A tadpole does not | | | | for our miracle. It is internal work that each person |
| resemble a frog. An embryo does not resemble a | | | | performs on their own. Unlike the caterpillar, though, we |
| baby. If so many things in nature that can change | | | | can accept help. Past and present Kabbalists can |
| their very being, why is it not possible for us? Could | | | | guide us on the path. Our friends who are on the |
| we transform as dramatically as a caterpillar? | | | | same journey can support and encourage us. But in |
| And the good news is: We can! | | | | the end, we must each make the changes |
| The ancient wisdom of Kabbalah says man not only | | | | ourselves. |
| can transform, but that he must do so in order to fulfill | | | | The transformation of the caterpillar into a butterfly is |
| the purpose of creation. Man’s transformation, | | | | an amazing feat, but it pales in comparison to the |
| though, is not visible on the outside; rather, it is an | | | | transformation of man. By changing himself, man |
| internal transformation. | | | | changes the world. How many caterpillars can make |
| According to Kabbalah, man’s nature is a desire to | | | | that claim? |
| receive pleasure (or the corollary, to avoid pain). Every | | | | |