Constantly Aspiring Higher: Advancing on the Spiritual Path

On the spiritual path, we must always aim and aspire towards the next, higher bestowing state. This requires a continuous search for opportunities to become similar to the next, more advanced state of bestowal. The lower level must always strive to chase the upper state, and in doing so, it must consistently nullify and annul itself before the higher. It is akin to placing oneself in the womb of the higher, despite the fact that the upper state is constantly evolving, and the inherent ego within us increasingly resists this process.

Only through Arvut — mutual responsibility — and unwavering support in a uniquely committed spiritual environment can we maintain our connection to the womb of the higher and resist the pull of the ego that constantly seeks to drag us back. The upper level humbles itself towards the lower to enable the latter to connect. However, in doing so, it conceals the greatness and importance of pure and unconditional love and bestowal. This concealment causes the lower to experience pain, perceiving the upper as having diminished itself.

This pain leads to a prayer as the lower one does not wish to slander or belittle the upper. The lower regrets its inability to recognize the true value of spirituality. When the lower nullifies itself before the upper, despite not yet perceiving its greatness, it enters the womb of the higher. This allows the upper to nurture and elevate the lower to a higher state. At this point, the upper can begin revealing the true greatness of spirituality and spiritual pleasures.

Receiving Without Selfishness

However, the lower must not receive this greatness for itself. It cannot take pleasure in its growing similarity to the higher level for selfish reasons. To control this revelation, the lower must employ a screen — a restriction that ensures it does not receive from the higher level for personal gain. Instead, the lower can accept and clothe itself in the revelation of the higher only to bestow upon others and to justify the higher degree. This ensures that all spiritual attainment remains dedicated to the purpose of bestowal.

The true work and choice lie in the state where the higher degree conceals itself. In this state, the lower has no way of recognizing the true greatness and importance of divine qualities such as selfless love and bestowal. It is precisely when these spiritual qualities seem insignificant and even repulsive that one must make an effort to embrace them. This effort, made against one’s natural instincts, is what truly fosters spiritual growth.

This inability to appreciate spirituality leads to regret, which then awakens a genuine prayer for transformation. At this stage, a person chooses faith — the quality of pure and selfless bestowal — over knowledge, meaning they act contrary to their inherent reasoning and emotions. However, as spirituality starts to be revealed, the lower must be cautious not to accept this revelation for its own sake. Instead, it must apply a restriction, ensuring that the greatness of the higher remains hidden from the ego and is only used for the sake of the higher degree.

The Purpose of Creation and the Role of the Environment

The entire process is driven by the ultimate purpose of creation: for the creature to reveal the single creating and governing force by becoming similar to it. The goal is to provide contentment to this singular life-giving force and justify its existence. This journey unfolds within a dedicated environment where individuals work together to reveal the Creator by cultivating divine qualities of love and bestowal. This environment serves as the mother’s womb — a space where one must continuously annul personal reasoning and emotions in order to receive the more refined qualities of bestowal from the higher level.

The original desire to receive is inherently self-serving and only mourns its lack of fulfillment. However, as one progresses on the spiritual path, the sorrow shifts from lacking material pleasures to longing for spiritual fulfillment. This transition is essential, as spiritual pleasures can only be received through spiritual vessels — desires that have been corrected to align with bestowal.

At first, the person prays from within the selfish sorrow of unfulfilled desires, yearning for spiritual pleasures. However, the Creator corrects this prayer, replacing the request for personal fulfillment with a genuine desire for bestowing vessels. This transformation opens the path to spiritual attainment through similarity with the Creator.

The Ego’s Fear and Spiritual Fear

The ego resists this change, fearing that the Creator will answer the prayer and replace selfish desires with the true desire for bestowal. The ego dreads losing its self-interest and receiving the ability to exist and act solely for love and service. This battle between the ego’s fear of lack and the soul’s yearning for spiritual attainment is a critical point in the journey.

Eventually, the fear of personal deprivation is transformed into spiritual fear — a fear that the ego will corrupt and appropriate the spiritual fulfillment for itself. The true balance is achieved when all aspirations focus solely on attaining similarity with the Creator. This similarity is reached by developing selfless love and bestowal within the unique, mutually supportive spiritual environment.

Thus, the highest level of spiritual fear is not about losing personal fulfillment but about failing to fulfill the purpose of life — to become one with the single governing force of reality. This fear, when nurtured properly, leads to a deep commitment to the path, maintained through mutual support within the right environment.

One’s own desires, as long as they remain within the confines of inherent selfishness, will always act as barriers on the spiritual path. However, by integrating with the desires of like-minded individuals who strive for bestowal, one can progress toward acquiring the divine qualities of pure love and bestowal. Through this process, a person gradually transforms and ultimately achieves true adhesion with the Creator, fulfilling the purpose of creation.