Supernaturally And Naturally

Baal HaSulam “Introduction to The Book of Zohar,” Item 32: The third period is in Torah and Commandments Lishma, that is, for the sake of bestowal and not for receiving a reward. This work purifies man’s desire to receive for himself and turns it into the desire to bestow.

Everything depends on the awareness of importance. I can develop this awareness in me relative to anything. If I constantly think and take care about something, the object of my care becomes so important to me that I cannot forget about it. I am attached to it physically, emotionally, or intellectually, no matter how. The main thing is how much effort I give it.

We know how it happens: A person learns a profession or begins a fine meticulous project, and he gives it not just time but his entire heart, he invests in it so much that it becomes extremely important to him.

The same thing happens in the spiritual work: The awareness of the importance of the goal is the key to everything. I become included in the group, participate with the friends in workshops and other events, and if I exert myself fully, then suddenly, without knowing why, I begin to appreciate the property of bestowal, the ability to give. This feeling, this aspiration, is awakened in me and gains importance, in some “supernatural,” inexplicable way.

I, myself, am amazed by this inner change. Indeed, in the past, always and in everything I thought about myself and how to use others, how to arrange them so I would feel nice and comfortable, so everyone serves me. It is a natural approach.

But suddenly, I begin to care for others around me; they gain importance in my eyes, become as the people closest to me. I look for opportunities to bestow upon them, to benefit them, just as I want to bring happiness to those I love, I enjoy that they enjoy.

Then, I wonder: Why do I bring them good? For the sake of this pleasure? Or is bestowal itself so important that it motivates me to act? How can I distinguish one from the other?

In short, I suddenly embrace new phenomenon that possess me and I do not know where they come from.

This is accomplished through the incessant connection between friends. Another workshop, another lesson, another festive meal, one more effort with a bit of intention, which we are able to connect—even artificially, it does not matter—nonetheless, we thereby awaken the Light that Reforms and its influence produces in us these “supernatural” changes that lie below our nature.

I can recognize in myself only the results of this process when I discover that something strange happens to me. Then I understand how the Light that Reforms acts. Today, we have entered such stages when everyone has to “delve into himself” to detect the changes that occur in him.

Thus, we move forward through the process of “purification,” cleaning ourselves from the egoistic intention to the level of bestowal for the sake of bestowal. Then, we enter into the process of “sanctity,” purity, in reception for the sake of bestowal.
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From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/19/14, Writings of Baal HaSulam