The Zohar explains that the more you prepare your soul during the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah, the greater your blessings in the year to follow.
According to Kabbalah, a person's vessel for receiving energy in the coming year is based on that person's consciousness during the last month of the closing year. By taking the time in the month of Virgo (Elul) to pay attention to details, get in touch with our God-like nature, and notice the effect our behavior has on others, we can ensure that our New Year will be filled with the right people and the right situations.
The Kabbalah Centre has created this daily guide for you to use over the next few weeks. These exercises are a powerful way to create the amazing, chaos-free life you were put on this earth to have.
Read them slowly, more than once, and put them to use. If questions arise (and they will if you are doing your preparation properly) make sure to reach out to your teacher (or call 1-800-KABBALAH to speak with one).
*The dates below refer to 2019. The Month of Elul is based on the lunar calendar and as such falls on different dates each year.
Saturday, August 31
We are often our worst enemies and harshest critics. Self-doubt and self-hatred are your biggest obstacles in life.
See only the good within yourself today. When you focus on what's wrong, you'll notice how much more difficult it becomes to love yourself.
Remember only the good.
Sunday, September 1
Pick one person today whom you love dearly and find a way to do something special for them, something that lets them know how much you love them. When you share Light with another, you increase the Light in the world.
Monday, September 2
What do you want to manifest this year? A new job? A good friend? Focus on one thing and imagine it’s already yours. How does it feel? Recall these good feelings throughout the day. The energy you send out by doing this will attract the right people and situations into your life.
Tuesday, September 3
Call a good friend and ask them what they think you need to improve. No matter how harsh their answer, thank them for their honesty. Now consider the steps you can take towards self-improvement.
Wednesday, September 4
Every obstacle you have with another person is an obstacle between you and the Light. As diplomatically as possible, approach some of these people and let them know that if you have hurt or offended them, you are sincerely sorry. Whether or not they accept the apology, your willingness to humble yourself reveals the Light for you both.
Thursday, September 5
Take note of one improvement in someone close to you and let them know that you have noticed the change.
Friday, September 6
Would you like to know the antidote to being depressed, unhappy, and unfulfilled? It’s appreciation.
When you are busy looking at the good others have done for you, your attention shifts away from what you lack. What are some of the things you are grateful for in your life?
Saturday, September 7
Think about one person from your past that you hurt and ask that person for forgiveness.
Sunday, September 8
Go out of your comfort zone by being extra patient and loving with every person you meet today.
Monday, September 9
Repression is a defense mechanism that prevents us from acting on unacceptable impulses. Look within yourself and see if you can remember any emotionally charged events from your past that you are afraid to confront. Those old movies have a tendency to repeat themselves until they are addressed.
Tuesday, September 10
Don't answer any criticisms today; just quietly note the comments, no matter what people say to you.
Wednesday, September 11
Practice active listening. Resist interrupting with your opinion. Maintain eye contact and really listen.
Thursday, September 12
Surprise a friend or family member with something they love the most.
Friday, September 13
Life is a paradox. If you want to be loved, give love. If you want appreciation, appreciate others. This is the best way to get what you really want.
Practice this today – focus on what you want and see if you can give it to others first.
Saturday, September 14
Sensitivity is today's motto: Look closely at the people around you – under the surface. Ask yourself, "What are they feeling? How can I help?"
Sunday, September 15
Meditate today on cleansing the past (and thereby changing the future). Your meditation should start with picturing a specific incident from the past and understanding how it was really a blessing.
Monday, September 16
Do an act of sharing without making it known that you are the one responsible.
Tuesday, September 17
How do you get unstuck? By sharing and thinking of others. Think about how you can help. Maybe it's as simple as really listening to someone.
Wednesday, September 18
Kabbalists stress the importance of never forgetting a good deed someone has done for you. Recall someone who helped you out in a major way, but with whom you are no longer in contact. Find a way to do something nice for them. If it isn't possible, then send them loving thoughts.
Thursday, September 19
Who do you spend time with? Do these people aid you in your spiritual journey? If so, keep them close. If not, reevaluate their role.
Friday, September 20
Do you love yourself? Don't be afraid to appreciate yourself and the uniqueness that is you. If the Light created you and put all this energy into you, you must be something special.
Saturday, September 21
Pick one person who hurt you in your childhood and ask yourself if you can find it in your heart to forgive them. Yes, it is hard to let go of the painful memories, but you are only hurting yourself by holding a grudge.
Sunday, September 22
It is not a happy realization when we know how negatively we act towards ourselves and others. Do the work of self- transformation. The more negativity there was, the larger the positive opening will be.
Focus on one area where you are not exactly acting like an angel. Decide now that you are going to change it.
Monday, September 23
“Maybe someday I won’t be so lonely.” “Maybe someday I’ll feel happiness.” “Maybe someday I’ll be spiritual.” If you’re thinking this way, your someday will never come.
The fulfillment you seek is a reality that’s happening right now. You just need to peel back the layers of illusion set in place by your mind. The truth is where you are right now is exactly where you need to be.
What are some of the maybes you are rolling around in your mind?
Tuesday, September 24
If you're human, then you get angry with your friends and family. They disappoint you, they don't get you, or they are simply rude to you.
Unfortunately, anger and resentment leads to broken relationships. It is only in retrospect that you regret letting silly fights separate you.
Pick at least one person in your life with whom you've become estranged. Remember what it is you love about that person and reach out to them, first in your heart and then by phone, letter, or email. Life is too short to let petty arguments keep you from the people who mean the most to you.
Wednesday, September 25
When was the last time you made a new friend? Most of us have trouble getting to know people because we pre-judge strangers by the way they look, talk, act, and smell.
Today, focus on meeting someone new. Practice seeing beyond the physical appearance and directly into the soul.
Thursday, September 26
Have you ever noticed that the last five minutes of a workout are always the hardest? Or, the last minutes of anything we do? That’s because there is a force at play whose singular mission is to stop us from finishing the job.
As you go through your day, pay attention to the moments you feel like quitting. Push yourself to go a little longer than you think you can.
Friday, September 27
In reality, when you hurt another person, you are really hurting yourself.
Think of one person you hurt in your life, such as someone you were in a romantic relationship with. Feel the pain you caused them. In your mind and heart, ask the person to forgive you. If it feels right, contact that person and apologize.
Saturday, September 28
Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. We allow our ego to get in the way of our success. We cling to our own opinions even when they are wrong.
Today, practice releasing your stubbornness and your need to be right. Even when you know you are right, let it go.
Sunday, September 29
Advice is the biggest vice. Everyone is guilty of giving advice at one time or another. Pay attention today to your addiction of giving advice. Practice listening more and offering your opinions less.
