Good And Evil—A Necessary Part Of God's Creation

The Good/Bad Duality Is Not Just Related To Individual Decisions;
Rather, It Is A Product Of The Collective History Of All Humanity

Nova Scotia Campground
Kabbalah Conversation Continued
Aug., `82

"I don't understand the Kabbalah,” Michelle said, “but Robert tells me it speaks
of God as being everywhere, of being both inside and outside of everything,
and that means God is pretty important because every time you turn around there
He is. The forces of the universe are constantly tugging and pulling at
each other—light/dark, give/take, life/death, —and likewise with God.
He is both transcendent and immanent, so He expresses a kind of
duality, and, according to Martin, even the duality of good and evil
is a necessary part of God's creation."

"Wait, how can that be?" I said. "If evil is necessary how can
there be reward and punishment? What about justice? Doesn't that
contradict the Jewish law of measure for measure, and an eye for an eye?"

"Now you're getting the picture," replied Michelle. "Do you see why
I'm so confused! And I'm going to marry Robert, -- contradictions and
all."

"So how does he, Robert, deal with the contradiction?" I said.

"He's got an answer," replied Michelle, "but I don't understand it.
It's got something to do with being present in the moment. He says
that if it weren't for evil we wouldn't be allowed to embrace the
good. In fact, he says something similar about reward and punishment,
too. The good/bad duality is not just related to individual decisions;
it is a product of the collective history of creation. Actions,
especially good ones, are not simply for the individual, but for the
whole of humankind—the community of all beings. According to Robert,
"selflessness" is the goal, and when that happens, God becomes
transparent in everything that gets done. According to Robert, we are
all moving toward God, but God was/is here from the beginning. Go figure!"