Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 233

What Determines Whether We Are in an Ascent or a Descent?

A descent and an ascent are determined by the person, according to either the state we are in or our attitude toward that state. For example, we forget that we are sitting in a lesson and start daydreaming about the card game we played yesterday with our friends. We drank beer, felt good, and had an enjoyable time. The time we are dreaming about is called an “ascent” for us. We felt good. Suddenly we wake up and notice what we are thinking about and where we are now, what we are immersed in, and then we begin to feel that this is a descent.

In other words, ascents and descents can be evaluated solely according to equivalence with the surrounding light, and only due to that equivalence with the light. A true discernment of the place we are in can be made only in relation to the light.

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Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 232
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 231
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 230

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