It is a rule that it is impossible to receive anything without equivalence. Rather, there must always be equivalence.

Hence, when he evokes mercy on himself, it follows that he is engaged in reception for himself. And the more he prays, not only is he not preparing the Kli [vessel] of equivalence, but on the contrary, sparks of reception form within him (Rabash, Assorted Notes, 217, “Run My Beloved“).

To “cleave unto His attributes” means to become merciful and to bestow like Him, to acquire the same attributes He possesses.

It turns out that he is going the opposite way: While he should prepare vessels of bestowal, he is preparing vessels of reception. Hence, when he prays for the public, through this prayer he engages in bestowal. And the more he prays, to that extent he forms vessels of bestowal, by which the light of bestowal, called “merciful,” can be revealed. 

It is impossible to receive anything without equivalence. Rather, there must always be equivalence. That is, we can perceive something only to the extent that we are similar to the action, object, or state.

Therefore, in order to feel something, I need to be in a state of equivalence with what I wish to perceive. For example, if a person is crying or rejoicing and I want to feel their state, I must reach the exact same state within myself. Then from what I have modeled internally, I will understand the state they are in. Of course, my understanding will be relative because their attributes and mine are different. Yet there will still be some degree of equivalence.

Hence, when he evokes mercy on himself, it follows that he is engaged in reception for himself. And the more he prays, not only is he not preparing the Kli [vessel] of equivalence, but on the contrary, sparks of reception form within him.

Whatever I ask of the Creator, even with the purest intentions, my requests are always egoistic, and they will inevitably amplify my egoism. Does this mean I should refrain from asking altogether? If so, how can I manifest my connection with the Creator?

It turns out that he is going the opposite way. Instead of developing a desire to bestow, he is in fact developing the desire to receive.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 9/5/19, Preparation for convention in Moldova “Turning to the Creator”

Related Material:
Everything Is Attained By The Equivalence Of Form
Spirituality Is The Measure Of My Equivalence To The Creator
To Be Or Not To Be Like The Creator

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