A person should pay attention to this and believe that the Creator is tending to him and guides him on the track that leads to the King’s palace. It follows that he should be happy that the Creator is watching over him and gives him the descents, as well. That is, a person should believe, as much as he can understand, that the Creator is giving him the ascents, since certainly, a person cannot say that he himself receives the ascents, but that the Creator wants to bring him closer; this is why He gives him the ascents.

Also, a person should believe that the Creator gives him the descents, as well, because He wants to bring him closer. Therefore, every single thing that he can do, he must do as though he is in a state of ascent. Therefore, when he overcomes a little during the descent, it is called an “awakening from below.” Each act that he does, he believes that it is the Creator’s will, and by this itself he is rewarded with greater nearing, meaning that the person himself begins to feel that the Creator has brought him closer (Rabash, Article 6, “When Should One Use Pride in the Work?“)

The most important thing is our reaction to any negative or positive action, meaning that we should constantly evaluate whether they elicit an equal response in us.

It should not matter how my beast feels, good or bad. The main focus is on perceiving the Creator’s communication with me. My response depends on how I react without words. If I receive something negative, I respond to Him with love; if I receive something positive, I also respond to Him with love.

When is my response more pronounced: is it to positive experiences or negative ones? Certainly, it is more evident with negative experiences. This demonstrates that I truly aspire toward Him, rather than merely seeking to experience something pleasant from the Creator.

We must learn to interpret the signs of the Creator’s closeness to us. We can be very near to Him and yet feel what comes from Him as something negative. However, instead of provoking a negative reaction in us, this closeness inspires gratitude. It allows us to demonstrate a positive attitude toward Him above the negative feelings.

This process builds the screen (Masach): restriction (Tzimtzum), screen (Masach), and reflected light (Or Hozer).
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 9/3/19, Writings of Baal HaSulam “There Is None Else Besides Him”

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