Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 47

How Does the Transition from Animalistic Fear to Spiritual Fear Take Place?

All fears are interconnected in a process: fear within fear within fear. For example, fear might begin as dread of the police, later transform into fear of public shame, and so on. Yet the root of all fear lies above, at the place of adhesion with the Creator, where the ultimate fear is of not being able to give to Him. From this root, fear descends through many levels, and manifests in this world as fear of external things such as police, shame, or failure.

We sink into this illusory fear, much like a child is scared of an imaginary bear outside. The danger is not real, and there is no reason for fear. Yet, despite understanding rationally that there is no need to be afraid, the emotional vessel still experiences fear. No matter how many logical reassurances we receive, we remain trapped in this sensation.

Over time, through study, effort, and connection with teachers and a supportive group, our vessel begins to open. Gradually, we trace our fear to its root, and realize that the fear of the police, for instance, is actually tied to the Creator. We come to see that the Creator orchestrates this fear to draw us closer to Him.

At this stage, we begin to distinguish what it means to fear the Creator. We question why the Creator makes us fear external things and realize it is to prompt us to ask: “Which is stronger—the police or the Creator?” This inner scrutiny grows until we perceive all fears as emanating from the Creator.

Eventually, the two fears, fear of the police and fear of the Creator, merge into one. We no longer experience them as two separate forces but as one unified, upper source: the Creator. We begin to view the Creator through the lens of fear, fearing that abandoning Him will lead us back to fearing external things.

Through this process, we discern an even higher root. We understand that the Creator’s purpose in arousing fear is not to frighten us, but to connect us to Him. Moreover, this connection is not for the sake of instilling fear, but to lead us to adhesion and love. Since the law of love is bestowal, we embark on an inner search for how to give to the Creator. At this point, all fears and disturbances disappear, for they are the opposite of giving.

Where does the transition occur? The transition from ordinary fear to fear of the Creator—the fear of being unable to bestow—does not necessarily happen during moments of fear. It can arise from any unpleasant sensation, even a vague discomfort. All unpleasant sensations are signals from above urging us to seek our root.

Why does the Creator send unpleasant sensations? The Creator does not send unpleasant sensations directly. Instead, He sends hints of the perfect state above. However, as these hints pass through the layers of worlds and levels before reaching a person, they are perceived as negative, for the person’s vessels are oppositely shaped.

Through effort and labor on “There is none else besides Him,” we gradually arrive at the correct solution, which is seeing how the situation originated from the Creator to teach us. This understanding does not come spontaneously, but through deep inner work and scrutinies drawn from experience.

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Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 46
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 45
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