When we allow for new wisdom, it is the greatest form of wealth.
"Being broke is a temporary state … being poor is a state of mind." —Earl Nightingale
"A genome map is what scientists use to navigate around the genome. Like road maps ... a genome map is a set of landmarks that tells people where they are, and helps them get where they want to go ... Over time, as scientists continue to explore the genome frontier, maps will become more accurate and more detailed. A genome map is a work in progress." —www.genomenewsnetwork.org
Over 2,000 years ago, the Kabbalists mapped out the human psyche based on the teachings of the Torah. They spoke of three stages in human consciousness and awareness. It is difficult to translate the Hebrew exactly, but these words come close:
Here is a quick snapshot of a complex process. Whenever we are receiving brand new ideas, it is our "chochma" at work. When we begin processing the new idea, through contemplation, it is our "binah" at work. And when we "own" these new ideas, to the degree that they change the way we feel about the subject matter, it is our "daas" at work.
Of course, this map begs a question: Why is it that after we become informed with new knowledge and we then contemplate it, do we seem so challenged to apply it in our lives?
Consider this: Do you know smokers who are absolutely informed about the high risks, but still smoke?
This is why the the Zohar and the Talmud tell us, "Real poverty is the lack of daas and true wealth is a healthy daas."
The daas part of our psyche is what determines what we do with our new knowledge, since the daas gives us a whole new way of acting and reacting. And when we allow for new wisdom, it is the greatest form of wealth.
The Kabbalists teach us that Moses, the great leader of the Jewish people, provided the daas for his flock. With the Divine messages, he led a people that were completely submerged in slave mentality through the journey of knowledge. And we continue that journey that made a difference in them.
For more about the map click here.
Thank you Moses, and have a happy 3,405th birthday.