Baal HaSulam, “The Teaching of Kabbalah and Its Essence”: Whereas in the first discernment everyone receives equally without adding or subtracting, like Adam, in understanding the reality of this world. In viewing it, all are equal, but this is not so in understanding it—some evolve from generation to generation and some regress.

Question: What is the difference between a descent and regression?

Answer: We can describe our advancement like a electrocardiogram (EKG) with many ups and downs. It doesn’t matter if I am up or down as long as I advance.

Descents are part of our way since they are also aimed at the goal. My heart beats and it draws this curved line and it is normal. This is our life, a continuum of ups and downs where one cannot exist without the other. As long as I hold on to the intention to advance, both the ascents and descents are in a general flow forward.

It is just like a spinning wheel where each part reaches a maximal height and then begins to descend. What is more, at a certain moment it seems to be moving backward instead of advancing towards the goal.

The moment a person discovers that, he cries out for help. He sees that he is moving backward and that he is not advancing, and so he needs the greater support of the group.

On the whole society’s movement is forward, and accordingly, I am in the back part of the ring and my friends are advancing by moving forward. So when I am connected to them in my heart and soul, I feel that I am part of the whole that continues and advances forward.

But if I am disconnected from the friends, I am not the lower part of the general wheel and I am not in a state of descent, but am actually on the outside in regression. I am not part of the general process of the advancement forward anymore.

This means that the main thing is to be adhered to the friends. Then we all advance forward and I understand that even the descents are beneficial and that they are in order to ascend. When I descend, the others ascend, and thus we constantly change places.

We are like a valve, like a piston, and all these movements change alternately. There cannot be a change if it doesn’t include the two movements, backward and forward, backward and forward. There cannot be only a movement forward, there has to be a contrast, and it is only a matter of amplitude.

Therefore my connection with the environment is so important. If I am incorporated in everyone, then the common vector is clear to me.

Question: It says that there is no lacking in spirituality and that nothing disappears. But in a state of regression everything that you had is taken away from you…

Answer: This isn’t true. Regression refers to the revelation of a new level of the shattering. We don’t regress but rather discover a new vessel that isn’t corrected at the moment.
[122732]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/10/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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