Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 93

If We Do Not Know What a Vessel of Bestowal Is, Could We Pray an Incorrect Prayer and Receive Something Unnecessary?

There are several questions here:
• Is it possible to pray for something unknown?
• Does the Creator hear a prayer for something that is unknown?
• Will the Creator respond to a prayer even if He knows that we are asking for something hidden from us?
• Is it possible for something harmful to be given from above?

A prayer is a real deficiency that the vessel brings forth from itself, not what can be heard on the outside. A vessel can bring forth a real deficiency from inside of itself only by means of light that shines from above. In other words, it is not the person but the Creator who created the deficiency and the prayer that we do not always feel. Afterward, the Creator answers this prayer, this true inner deficiency in our heart. In other words, the Creator created the vessel and the Creator also fills it.

Where is our “self” in this process? The “self” is the one who feels these actions. In the whole system, the “self” is only the one who feels. Thus, there is no need to be afraid. We need only endeavor to be as genuine as possible with what we feel, and connect it to the Creator as the single source of all actions. This means not deceiving ourselves about what comes from the Creator.

We need nothing but to focus on the Creator and the unwavering knowledge that everything comes from Him. We must check, in the most transparent way, what exactly we receive, without judging whether it is good or bad, or true or false, casting aside all outer shells, confusions, formulas, habits, and things others have said to us. We need to remove as many distractions as possible and connect with the Creator from our internality. By doing so, we will receive all discernments, and gradually, the path will unfold before us. A chain of cause and effect leads us directly to the goal.

Although we know that the light and fulfillment do not come from us, we still think that at least the vessel comes from us. But the truth is that even in prayer, we must ask for it to be given to us. This is called “a prayer before a prayer,” as the Kabbalists who wrote the prayer books are fully aware of this concept.

We should not delude ourselves that the source of anything comes from below. Below, we can only engage in discernments, noticing everything that comes to us. We people are only feeling elements, and nothing more. This is the correct approach. Why? It is because this is how we do not become confused and always place ourselves exactly where we belong. Then, we have no pride or honor, nor sudden thoughts that we have any part in things.

This is when it comes to our relationship with the Creator. But when it comes to society and the environment, we must use them to sharpen our connection with the Creator. We use friends and the community to cleanse ourselves from the shells, confusion, and obscurity. Here, human effort is required.

Related Material:
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 92
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 91
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 90

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