Each one should try to bring into the society a spirit of life and hopefulness, and infuse energy into the society.

…before he came to the society, he was disappointed with the progress in the work of the Creator… because of his own weakness and lack of aspiration.

But upon entering the group, he must feel there a “raging fire” burning within him and drawing him into the group, which influences him without asking his permission, because he is unable to withstand the influence of the friends.

…but now the society has filled him with life and hopefulness. Thus, through the society, he obtained the confidence and strength to overcome because now he feels that he can achieve wholeness (Rabash, “What to Look for in the Assembly of Friends“).

If such a spirit does not exist within the group, there is no hope of attaining anything. In Article 225, “Raising Oneself,” from the book Shamati, it is written: One cannot raise oneself above one’s circle, from his environment. Everyone advances only together with the group. If I do not pass a good mood on to the group, I will not have it either. If I do not want the group to advance, neither will I advance, because we will not create a common desire, a Kli.

The more we speak about this, compelling ourselves to understand it ever more deeply, the more clearly we begin to discern the spiritual reality, one that is hateful to us, opposite to our nature, and undesirable; yet, it is the true reality. Then we will begin to see it as truly important and exalted.

But the main thing is, despite how unpleasant it may seem, to give every spiritual action and every spiritual state its true definition—it is bestowal and love of the neighbor within the group, unity for the attainment of the Creator, the force of our common bestowal and love.
[41828]
From the World Kabbalah Congress, “We,” New Jersey 3/7-8/11, Lesson 8

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