Ty, can you elaborate on this "dying to self" you mentioned? I find it alien to my Judaism. It sounds "Eastern". I think I can get it through drugs or meditation or numerous other ways. But I don't see it as the Holy Spirit. My feeling in Judaism is like an establishing/integration of my ego/self in relation to the separate God. I wonder if when you have died to self, does this mean that you have merged with God? I can also ask this to Jews who are involved in Kabbalah.
Thank you.

I am not Tyolilums but I can elaborate for you, LAGoff.

The "dying to self" theology of Christianity is not the same as the "merging with God" which you are aware is associated with Kabbalah.

The dying to self theology of Christianity more than likely has different variations and different understandings. But, the basic concept comes first from Romans 6-8 of the Christian text.
The theology says that Christians are united with Jesus through his death and his resurrection. The sinful nature which was inherrited through Adam has died with him. Evil lusts and desires, slavery to sin, and love of sin died with Jesus. A new life was given with his resurrection. Thus, Christians have fellowship with God through the resurrection. That fellowship is unbroken and is free from sin's grasp. (This theology will varry among denominations. A comparison of the denominations can be found at ReligionFacts: http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/denominations.htm )

The concept of "merging" associated with Kabbalah does not refer to a sinful nature that was inherrited through Adam. It involves a consciousness of the soul. I searched to find the best thing to give a simple basic explaination. I found this: http://www.kabbalaonline.org/Introductions/firststeps/Levels_of_Soul_Consciousness.asp
Look under the "chaya."
(I was taught about this concept through a study of Kabbalah taught by my Rabbi--note that was a study about Kabbalah and not a study of Kabbalah, a major difference.)

Kabbalah's teaching in regard to Adam is extremely different from Christianity's teaching!
This is the teaching:
http://www.kabbalaonline.org/Safedteachings/gor/Effect_of_The_Sin_of_Adam_32.asp

And Kabbalah's teachings on the effects of sin is extremely different from Christianity's teaching!
http://www.kabbalaonline.org/Safedteachings/gor/Hidden_Effects_of_Sin_(65).asp

I hope this is helpful.

Shalom,
Gretta


image"Sadness drives G-d away from us." ~ Rebbe Nachman of Breslov