It’s human nature to seek understanding, to want to know. And when it comes to profound spiritual truths, sometimes the way we access them is surprisingly…tangible. : how do we truly learn? Is it just from abstract ideas floating in the ether? Or is it through experience?
Baal HaSulam, the great 20th-century Kabbalist and commentator on the Zohar, that foundational text of Jewish mysticism, gets right to the heart of this. He talks about two "modes" of perception. We're not going to dive into the first one right now, but it's the second one that really grabs us, because it's about how form becomes enclothed in substance.
Now, what does "form enclothed in substance" even mean? It sounds awfully abstract, I know! Baal HaSulam's point is actually pretty grounded. He's saying that we perceive things clearly and comprehensively when they're tied to practical, real-world experiences. In other words, we learn by doing.
Think of it like this: you can read all about how to ride a bicycle, study the physics of balance, memorize diagrams of the gears. But until you actually get on that bike, wobble a bit, maybe fall a few times, you don't really know how to ride a bicycle. The “form” (the idea of riding a bike) has to become enclothed in the "substance" (the actual experience of riding) for you to truly understand it.
And it’s not just about bicycle riding, is it? This principle, according to Baal HaSulam in his "Preface to the Zohar," applies to our higher perceptions, the ones we can truly rely on. The deep, unshakeable convictions we have about the world, about ourselves, about God – those come from somewhere. They come from lived experience. They come from seeing principles play out in our lives and in the lives of others.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Are we paying enough attention to the "substance" of our lives? Are we truly engaging with the world in a way that allows these deeper truths to reveal themselves? Or are we getting too caught up in abstract theories and intellectual debates?
Maybe the key to unlocking greater understanding lies not in seeking out more information, but in seeking out more meaningful experiences. Maybe the answers we're looking for aren't in a book, but in the way we choose to live our lives.
So, how will you "enclothe" your understanding with substance today? What experience will you seek out to deepen your connection to the world, and to yourself?