What a Civilized Society Looks Like

Let's talk about spirituality. It's pretty much a given today that beneath the material surface of existence lies layers and layers of energy. What we experience with our senses -- sight, sound, taste, touch and smell -- is only the tip of the iceberg. Whether you call it energy, or spirit, or the inner workings, or the dna or the microscopic quantum state - there is a deeper dimension to our world that remains hidden to the physical eye. We will define it as spiritual energy. But what is spirituality? What does the very word spirit mean? Conventional thinking divides existence into two dimensions: spirit/energy and body/matter. And with the knowledge that e=mc2 we also discovered that energy and matter are actually reversible - they're both forms of energy just in different states of the same reality. (Just as heated water turns into gas and transforms into ice when frozen.) We also see our lives through this two-dimensional prism: 1. the material part of our lives -- survival, and 2) the spiritual part of our lives -- transcendence. The sensory and the supersensory, the physical and the metaphysical. But is there more to it? Are there only two reversible dimensions to our lives? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson and discover that there is actually a third dimension - that is beyond spirit or matter! And accessing this third dimension is the secret to dealing with the inherent tension between matter and spirit, and the key to creating ultimate and total fusion of our material and physical lives.

24 Maj 202336min

Are women inferior to men? Were they created as an afterthought, a secondary human being, designed to live in the shadow of men? The common perception is that in earlier history, in primitive times, that was indeed the attitude – that men were the center of the universe and women were simply their accessories. Hence, totally inferior. And even more specifically, if you ask anyone about the biblical and religious views of male vs. female, the response is that male hierarchy controlled the world and women were second class citizens. This common perception continues that in time women slowly began to claim and finally gain some rights (i’ts still arguable when they have equal rights or almost equal). In the last century, the suffrage and feminist movements are seen as being the modern advances of women finally gaining recognition and equal stature to men. But is this true? Are women indeed inferior to men in the Bible? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as he debunks these common misperceptions and you will be surprised to learn that it is quite the contrary! When we actually go back to the Bible itself, we find that women are totally equal to men – each having their own unique and superior qualities, complementing each other and working hand in hand. It is in fact the modern world that can learn much from that fundamental equality — how the powerful spiritual roles of the feminine and the masculine can and must join together to create a moral and spiritual revolution in our world. A paradigm shift in the way we look at and experience ourselves and our relationships.

24 Maj 202330min

Mental health is a critical component in every aspect of our lives. It affects how we think, how we feel, our moods, our behavior and our actions. It impacts how we will deal with stress, our relationships, the choices we make, and so much more. Therefore, to lead a functional, productive and meaningful life, it is absolutely vital that our mental state be healthy.But what exactly is a mental state? What does our psyche look like? And what constitutes a healthy psyche, and how do we build that? When talking about a physical/tangible part of our body, it is easier to evaluate whether, say, an arm is functioning well or whether it is injured. But how do we determine that on a mental level, in the area of our psychological, emotional and behavioral lives? How do we assess and analyze our psyche and what can we do when there are challenges? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this important talk as he dissects the very core of mental health and discover how to access and actualize the deepest parts of your psyche, of you who truly are. Learn a step-by-step process how to cultivate and enhance the health of your mental and emotional life, how to cope with any challenges and obstacles that come your way and how to channel that power into reaching your greatest potential.

11 Maj 202339min

We live in a world where we are constantly categorizing and labeling all our experiences, our products and our entities. We do this in our personal lives; organizing our kitchen cabinets and closets and orchestrating our family's activities. And we do this in our professional lives; creating a filing system and a structured work environment and schedule. The human mind is a master at quantifying, classifying, sorting and organizing information. Modern technology has only accelerated the process of systemizing ways to store, retrieve and distribute data. Marketing is built on branding and etching distinct definitions in our psyches. While it is critical for an efficient and organized life to have categories, shelves and structures, what happens when we begin doing that to each other as human beings? When we label one another -- or even worse, stereotype one another - what does it do to the human condition? And how does this impact our relationships? This can ultimately lead to the worst possible discrimination, prejudices, biases and hatred - unleashing war and destruction that has plagued the human race from the beginning of time. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for an important and impactful discussion on what truly defines -- and does not define -- us as people. How are we meant to look at another and at ourselves? Discover that labels are intended for clothing and not for souls.

4 Maj 202336min

There has been a recent explosion of the use of mind altering substances - specifically psychedelics; DMT, psilocybin, ayahuasca, mescaline, ketamine, and other forms of experiences that people are attributing to helping them heal and reach deeper spiritual states and expanded consciousness. Some are suggesting that certain psychoactive substances have immense therapeutic potential, especially when it comes to tackling serious, hard-to-manage mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, alcoholism and addictions.The truth is that this is not a recent phenomenon. For centuries, various cultures and tribes have been using plant medicines and hallucinogens. Some shamans and healers have been incorporating these substances into their healing processes and ceremonies since ancient times. Are these appropriate and reliable methods? And what are we to say about this recent surge in our society? What's driving it? Is there any legitimacy to it or is it simply a fad? What long lasting impact will it have?And above all, what does it tell us about the human condition today, the very need that people have, the void they are looking to fill? Regardless if you agree or disagree with this approach, these are vital questions that need answers. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson on an eye-opening journey into the Biblical genesis of the human psyche. Discover how the Bible - the best-selling book of all time - defines the very essence of the human being: who you are at the core, what happens to your soul as you enter the toxic world that obfuscates your inner identity, and how do you reclaim yourself. What are healthy and natural methods to reconnect to your innermost self -- to experience higher states of consciousness? And what about mind-altering drugs -- should or should they not play a role in this process? This fascinating session will alter the way you look at yourself and your life experiences.

1 Maj 202347min

One of the more challenging moral obligations that we face throughout our lifetime is honoring our parents - and especially our elderly parents, as they become more needy and more dependent. This is not an easy thing to do on so many levels. It can be physically challenging, mentally taxing, emotionally draining and a major burden financially. So the big question is why are we obligated to help our elderly parents? Why should our parents become our responsibility? And this question is acutely growing as the largest demographic today are the elderly - due to higher life expectancy and health and medical interventions. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a vital discussion that not only addresses our moral obligation but also our spiritual well being. Explore what lies behind our relationship with our parents, both when we are children and they (hopefully) cared for us and as they get older and we may need to take care and support them. Discover how honoring our parents -- especially in challenging times -- uncovers the very core of our humanity, of our love and relationships, the very essence of our souls and their divine nature.

20 Apr 202328min

Freedom is one of the most cherished values in life. Personal freedom, political freedom, religious freedom… Much blood, sweat and tears have been shed for freedom; wars fought and lives lost in the name of freedom. Indeed, for thousands of years the world’s population was not free at all! We lived under monarchs, sometimes tyrants, always controlled by others. It’s only a recent phenomenon that we have freedom in our lives. But the big question is: Do you actually feel free? We may have all these freedoms around us, but are we enslaved internally? Is something holding us back? And the even bigger question is: What is freedom? How do we define freedom? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a fascinating pre-Passover discussion all about freedom. You can be physically free, free to roam about, not imprisoned behind tangible bars, but still be trapped and addicted emotionally and psychologically. Prison can take on many forms. Passover represents the exodus from bondage and slavery to any force and power within or without, and empowers us all with the ability and tools to transcend our obstacles, limitations and restrictions allowing us to spread our wings and be truly free.

30 Mars 202332min

We usually associate spirituality with very positive and uplifting experiences; feelings of inspiration, transcendence, and free-spiritedness. Spirituality encompasses the ability to go beyond ourselves to experience higher states of consciousness and awareness.But is there a dark side to spirituality? Are there shadows, risks and challenges lurking? Is there such a thing as a bad or destructive spiritual experience? Are there harmful shamans, healers or sorcerers? Every powerful force can create tremendous good or cause profound damage.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this important conversation and discover that with all the great and powerful experiences we are capable of - both on a cosmic and personal level - we must never forget that there is also "the other side", the darker side. Explore methods to not only preempt the negative energy but also learn to harness it toward the good.

29 Mars 202345min