The wisdom of Kabbalah explains how a Kli (vessel) equal to the Creator is formed and what we must do in the process. In general, we must tune ourselves to perceive the upper world before we enter it.

We do this in various ways: through study, work in the group, and all kinds of actions in our world. If we add the intention to draw closer to the sensation of spirituality, we evoke that state upon us from there, as if drawing ourselves toward it through our desire.

This process is known as attracting the surrounding light, which purifies us and pulls us toward the higher state. These actions are performed unconsciously; a person carries them out simply because they trust the recommendations of the Kabbalists and do what they advise.

If I am supposed to study, I study even though I do not want to, even though I do not understand or see any connection. But during the study, I begin to think about Kabbalah and imagine it as a science separate from me, one that does not require me to perform any internal actions.

In addition, there are actions in the group, with the friends. For example, I am told to do something I do not want to do at all, but I know it is necessary. So, I try to do something mechanically together with the others even though it is clear to us that each of us is an individualist.

Yet, here I have to gather together with the others and create a pleasant atmosphere; after all, there isn’t much interest in everyday life. But why are we gathering in the first place? Is it to enjoy ourselves or to perform actions that elevate us?

In short, there are many issues here: how to relate to everything and how precisely to tune oneself to attract the upper one, that is, the surrounding light. But ultimately, all these actions draw the surrounding light upon us.

There is also another kind of work where a person begins, as it were, to raise oneself from within to a higher degree. Rather than drawing the upper light from above, he himself is drawn toward the higher degree. This work is called attempts to resemble the higher degree, to resemble the spiritual state.

Where can we obtain examples of this? From what the Kabbalists write to us. They say that spirituality entails a complete exit from one’s self, much like a person, upon death, leaves his body, which has nothing to do with the soul. The body turns into earthly dust, while the soul continues to exist.

Likewise, we must completely leave our “self,” transfer ourselves into everyone else, and exist only within them—in their desires, aspirations, and thoughts—without thinking about ourselves at all. Baal HaSulam writes in the article “A Speech for the Completion of The Zohar”: “Just as the Creator does not think about Himself or whether He exists, so should our intention be.”
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson for the holiday of Sukkot 9/29/26

Related Material:
Where Is The Upper World?
The Borderline that Separates Worlds
The Spiritual World, The Material World

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