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I keep tugging on that string of thought from “The Freedom” because it wasn’t quite clear and now I think I understand. Kindly let me know if this captures it.
The first factor is our essence the way a seed contains a genetic code that define physical traits and qualities (e.g., talents) but in humans, it also contains inherited essences or basis (later explained in other lessons as ancestral experiences). Continuing the plant analogy addresses how the seed naturally develops into a particular type of plant (e.g, wheat becomes wheat) and this 2nd factor runs parallel to the third factor, which is the environment the plant develops in.
The idea that these two factors run in parallel gave me the understanding.
Finally, the fourth factor is the environment one chooses. This one ultimately determines the pace of one’s spiritual growth– the path of suffering (Derech Yissurim) or the the path of Torah/Light (Derech Torah ). This last factor explains where one is given a lever to exercise freedom. It’s the only lever but it’s a very powerful one.
Funny enough, I felt driven for many years to understand the definition of Free Will. I don’t know why that question stuck to me but it seemed (intuitively) to be the inescapable starting point of understanding.
The option of a free will, of course, stands in contrast to a contrary state, which would be slavery; but to what master? It follows that that master would be the ego; a unending state of receptivity to pleasure. So, the master is the primal “me.”Â
What am “I” really? If I am receptivity but can change that state to be bestowal, who is that governing entity within me that wants to override my primal nature from receptivity to bestowal? Why would that aspect of me do this? Are there two aspects of me?
Freedom is sovereignty from the animate state through union with the Creator. It begins the moment one first recognizes the Creator’s nature is opposite his nature (it is altruistic and he is egoistic). The desire to unite with the Creator motivates one towards altruism, which draws the Reforming Light that transforms his nature from egoism to altruism.
reached the end of Kabbalah Revealed Part 1 with a pretty good understanding of some basics but, apparently, there’s a lab that goes with that.
No sooner did I enter Part 2 did I hit a couple of inconvenient setbacks that elicited a familiar response. Anxiety and a little fear over the outcome entered my mind and my body responded with that uneasy feeling; grasping for immediate ways out.
I didn’t feel the Creator. However, I forced my attention on the the idea the Creator sent this to me to show me where I stood and where I stood wasn’t quite as solid as I thought. The intellectual part was there, but not the conviction; the belief. So every time I felt doubt and insecurity. The setbacks actually began to resolve but the insight remained. I’m not going to get too comfortable with my progress on the material without my progress on the belief.
Am I getting this right?
The lingering question is, what is the light that one rejects?
If an adverse event comes our way, is that natural aversion defined as rejection of the the adversity because we don’t sense the Creator? Further, does light from the Creator come in the form of adversity and prosperity? Is it our understanding and response to either what we’re all working on?
I reached the end of Kabbalah Revealed Part 1 with a pretty good understanding of some basics but, apparently, there’s a lab that goes with that.
No sooner did I enter Part 2 did I hit a couple of inconvenient setbacks that elicited a familiar response. Anxiety and a little fear over the outcome entered my mind and my body responded with that uneasy feeling; grasping for immediate ways out.
I didn’t feel the Creator. However, I forced my attention on the the idea the Creator sent this to me to show me where I stood and where I stood wasn’t quite as solid as I thought. The intellectual part was there, but not the conviction; the belief. So every time I felt doubt and insecurity. The setbacks actually began to resolve but the insight remained. I’m not going to get too comfortable with my progress on the material without my progress on the belief.
Am I getting this right?
