Jewish mystical tradition has a fascinating way of describing this process. It's all about the unfolding of creation, the gradual revelation of the divine will – and the delicate dance of concealment that makes it all possible.
We're diving into a concept found in the Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, a Kabbalistic text, which speaks of the final stage of Malchut (Kingdom) of Asiyah (the World of Action) in producing something new. It's a mouthful, I know. But stick with me.
Think of it like this: the different levels of existence are like concentric circles, each emanating from a central point, the divine source. Each circle represents a power, a facet of God's creative energy. But here's the kicker: each successive level is less than the one before.
Why? Because of this thing called "concealment." The further we move from the source, the more veiled the divine light becomes. The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah tells us that concealment is more intense in the second level than in the first, because the second is closer to Malchut, which produces evil.
Now, don't freak out about the "evil" part. Think of it more as the potential for imperfection, the space where free will and choice come into play. It’s the necessary contrast that allows us to appreciate the good.
So, even though "two hundred includes one hundred," meaning the lower level is contained within the upper, its unique purpose isn't revealed until the upper level has fully played its part. The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah explains that the mission of the lower level is not revealed there as long as the upper level functions and the concealment has not yet reached the necessary degree of intensity to produce the lower level. It’s like a seed waiting for the right conditions to sprout.
Think of it like a creative project. You might have a brilliant idea (the upper level), but the execution, the tangible manifestation of that idea (the lower level), requires a different kind of energy, a different set of circumstances. It needs its own space to emerge.
As long as the lower level is just a potential within the upper level, its offspring—the actual, realized thing—can't come into being. It’s waiting for its moment, its chance to shine. It needs the right degree of "concealment," the right amount of challenge, to force it to break through and become something new.
So, the next time you feel like you're stuck in a creative rut, or that your potential is being held back, remember this Kabbalistic concept. Maybe you're simply waiting for the right level of "concealment" to trigger the next stage of your own unfolding. Maybe the very thing that seems to be holding you back is actually preparing you for your breakthrough.