The great Kabbalist, Baal HaSulam, in his "Preface to Zohar," explores just that. He lays out four modes of perception, almost like lenses through which we view reality. The source unfolds them together
He starts with the basics: substance. In our everyday world, it's the physical body. It's the "what" – the thing that is. But it gets more interesting. The second mode is "form enclothed in substance." Are they strong? Truthful? Deceitful? These aren't separate from the person, but they're not just the person either. They're the form within the substance, inseparable yet distinct.
Next, Baal HaSulam introduces us to "abstract form." Now we're really getting somewhere! We can consider truthfulness in and of itself, completely detached from any specific individual. We can discuss the concept of truth, analyze its merits and shortcomings, without needing a "truthful person" as an example. It’s like extracting the essence of an idea and examining it in pure form.
Finally, we arrive at "essence." This is the most elusive of all. Baal HaSulam doesn't elaborate much on this here in Preface 11, but the very act of isolating the essence as a mode of perception suggests something profound. What is the essence of a person, beyond their body, their qualities, or even abstract concepts about them? It hints at a deeper reality, something beyond our immediate grasp.
Why does this matter? Why is Baal HaSulam laying all this out? Because understanding how we perceive the world, and especially how we perceive each other, is crucial for spiritual growth. It allows us to move beyond superficial judgments and connect with something deeper, more meaningful. By recognizing these different modes of perception, we can begin to see the world – and ourselves – in a whole new light. And that, my friend, is a journey worth taking.