“No pain, no gain,” as the saying goes. Whatever goal I choose to pursue, good or bad, it requires effort. Workers labor at a job, as do thieves, scientists, athletes, and so on. Any achieved desire demands work.

After all, the creature is made of the desire for pleasure, and, like any matter, it strives for rest. Therefore, any movement (action) requires energy (motivation) from us. This rule governs all levels of nature, from still to speaking.

In our world, parallel to the growth of egoism, we exert more and more effort in order to achieve the desired result and gain pleasure.

Describing the spiritual world, Kabbalists also emphasize the rule: “The measure of suffering determines the measure of reward,” “I labored and found.” The formula remains the same, but it includes a provision: Spiritual actions are performed outside of the desire for pleasure.

After the desire of human degree, the yearning for equivalence to the Creator, His revelation, emerges in a person and he finds the group, his development continues according to the following order:

1. I study the wisdom of Kabbalah in the group in order to unite.
2. My egoism grows solely by way of the studies. It is now a totally different ego, unlike ordinary egoism of the corporeal world. As it grows, I begin to understand how inadequate I am to the goal, bestowal. I discover my hate towards the friends and for unification.
3. I need awareness of the importance of the goal, and this awareness comes from the studies and the group as well.
4. I fall into crisis and don’t know what to do when I realize I need the help of the Surrounding Light (Ohr Makif).
5. I begin studying differently, in order to draw the Surrounding Light (Ohr Makif) in the group.
6. And then I find!

It is not as easy to realize egoism on the spiritual path as it is in the corporeal world. In this world, I simply make an effort and achieve a result. In contrast, spiritual growth requires the growth of egoism that resist unification. Parallel to it, the importance of bestowal has to increase as well; otherwise, what for should I labor?

I study in order to draw the Surrounding Light (Ohr Makif), and only then do I find what I desire. What is this finding? It is bestowal.

Thus, we acquire a second nature. We started with a will to receive, but in the end our nature becomes bestowal. And while we are seeking, we must exert our own efforts along with the influence of the Surrounding Light.

[29354]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/10/10, Writings of Rabash, Dargot Hasulam, Article 545

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