Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to Lessons in Tanya, chapter 18.
Today we're embarking on a, well, a truly profound deep dive. Our mission really is to try and simplify some incredibly intricate concepts and maybe unveil some surprising insights about how we connect human connection to the divine. Ultimately, we want to show you a path to spiritual connection that the text assures us is truly very near indeed.
[00:00:24] Speaker B: And in our last deep dive, when we were getting into chapter 17, we explored this, a fascinating concept that fulfilling divine commands with genuine love and awe for the divine is described as being very near to us.
[00:00:37] Speaker A: Right, that specific phrase.
[00:00:38] Speaker B: Exactly. And the path outlined then was one of pretty profound contemplation, meditation really, on the Divine's vastness and greatness.
[00:00:47] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:00:47] Speaker B: And this method, as we learn, could cultivate at least what was called an intellectual love, you know, a deep cognitive appreciation in the mind, even though it wasn't necessarily a deeply felt, fervent emotion sort of bubbling up in the heart.
[00:01:00] Speaker A: Makes sense like you understand it deeply, even if you don't feel overwhelmed by it.
[00:01:03] Speaker B: Precisely. And crucially, Chapter 17 argued that even this more, let's say, detached comprehension based form of love and awe was actually sufficient, sufficient to motivate spiritual actions and elevate them to a higher spiritual plane.
[00:01:20] Speaker A: Right. The idea was you might not be able to force your heart to feel a certain way, maybe, but you can direct your thought exactly. So you engage your intellect, you medit on the Divine's boundless nature, and that intellectual grasp then sparks a form of love and awe. It's a, it's a powerful tool for those who are capable of that kind of deep mental engagement.
[00:01:39] Speaker B: It is.
[00:01:40] Speaker A: But this approach, while, you know, totally valid for some, it immediately raises a fundamental challenge, which I guess brings us to chapter 18. If true love and awe must be cultivated through such intense meditation and intellectual effort, well, can we truly say that their attainment is very near for everyone? Like, is it really a universal path?
[00:01:58] Speaker B: Precisely. And the text doesn't shy away from this challenge at all. It explicitly acknowledges that, look, profound meditation, it demands specific knowledge, it demands a certain level of intellectual capacity and, yeah, a particular kind of temperament or predisposition, you could say, right?
[00:02:15] Speaker A: Not everyone's wired the same way, not at all.
[00:02:18] Speaker B: Not every individual possesses the same mental aptitude or maybe has access to the depth of wisdom required to engage in prolonged abstract contemplation.
So the question becomes, how can a spiritual path that appears to be so intellectually demanding truly be described as very near and accessible to everyone, you know, across the entire spectrum of Human experience.
[00:02:40] Speaker A: Okay, let's unpack this. This is really the core tension chapter 18 is getting at. Is a profound spiritual connection truly for everyone? Or is it maybe reserved for those who can dedicate hours to intellectual contemplation? This deep dive promises to reveal a path that is, in fact, very near to absolutely all of us, irrespective of our intellect, background, or, you know, spiritual standing.
[00:03:00] Speaker B: And what's truly fascinating here is how the text addresses this fundamental human reality, you know, the diverse range of our intellectual and spiritual capacities, and then proposes a, well, a radical and deeply inclusive solution. Okay, chapter 18 introduces an alternative and, frankly, far more universally accessible method for attaining this profound love and awe for the divine. It's a method that sort of bypasses the need for intense intellectual meditation.
It works even for those who might lack the specific cognitive tools for that kind of contemplation.
[00:03:32] Speaker A: Wow.
[00:03:32] Speaker B: This method hinges on something pretty extraordinary, a natural hidden love, something that is described as an inheritance already present within each soul.
[00:03:40] Speaker A: Wow.
That's a truly powerful idea. An inheritance of love already nestled deep within us, just waiting to be awakened. It really shifts the entire paradigm, doesn't it, from building a connection to uncovering one. Let's delve into this challenge and the profound promise of this hidden love.
So we begin this exploration by reevaluating that pivotal phrase, the one from Deuteronomy. For this thing is very near to you in your mouth and in your heart that you may do it. And the emphasis here, as the text points out, is really on the word very. It's not just near, it's very near, implying, like, an extreme simplicity, something effortlessly accessible to everyone. This is kind of the bedrock, isn't it?
[00:04:19] Speaker B: It absolutely is. And that's precisely where the previous chapter's explanation, while undeniably profound and valuable for many, hits a kind of logical hurdle. When we talk about universality. Chapter 17, you know, it compellingly demonstrated how intellectual love and awe could be generated through deep contemplation of the Divine's immense greatness.
One could, through focused thought and, let's call it mental exercise, arrive at an understanding of the Divine's infinite power, pervasive presence, absolute unity.
[00:04:49] Speaker A: Right? You could think your way there.
[00:04:50] Speaker B: In a sense, you could. And this intellectual comprehension, even if it wasn't accompanied by, say, overwhelming emotion, would then serve as a powerful motivator for fulfilling divine commands. However, the text in chapter 18 directly questions whether profound meditation, the kind of deep, sustained intellectual work required to cultivate such a comprehension, can truly be called very near to everyone.
[00:05:14] Speaker A: And it's an entirely fair and critical question, isn't it? Because profound meditation, while, yeah, an incredibly powerful spiritual tool, for some, it just carries inherent limitations. When we talk about universal accessibility, I mean, think about the requirements.
It demands a certain level of intellectual understanding of abstract spiritual concepts. You need to grasp ideas about infinity, transcendence, the divine's omnipresence.
These can be pretty abstract and complex for many people.
[00:05:43] Speaker B: It really can.
[00:05:44] Speaker A: And beyond just the knowledge, it requires a particular intellectual predisposition, a mental capacity, a certain heart or inclination, as the text puts it, for deep comprehension and, you know, sustained contemplation. It's not just about knowing facts exactly.
[00:05:59] Speaker B: It's about the ability to engage with those facts on a very deep, abstract level.
[00:06:03] Speaker A: So for someone with only a limited understanding of the divine's greatness, maybe due to lack of exposure or education, or even just an innate intellectual disposition away from abstract thought, how difficult would it be for them to consistently produce that vibrant, fervent love and awe, even if it's only in their minds? Yeah, it would be a monumental task, wouldn't it? You can't just will yourself into deep comprehension if the foundational understanding isn't there, or if your mind simply isn't wired for that kind of abstract intellectual heavy lifting.
[00:06:32] Speaker B: It would be exceedingly difficult, you know, bordering on impossible for many. You might compare it to trying to master a really complex musical instrument like a classical violin, or maybe becoming an expert in a highly specialized field of science, say, theoretical astrophysics.
[00:06:48] Speaker A: Right. Things that require a certain aptitude and lots of training.
[00:06:51] Speaker B: Exactly. While these are admirable and achievable pursuits for some, they demand a certain natural aptitude, years of dedicated training, and a particular kind of mental discipline and intellectual capacity that not everyone possesses or can easily develop. Develop.
So to suggest that everyone, regardless of their background, natural inclinations, or inherent abilities, could simply pick up profound meditation and instantly generate intense, consistent spiritual feelings, well, it stretches the meaning of very near to its breaking point.
[00:07:23] Speaker A: Yeah, it wouldn't really be very near for the vast majority of humanity, then.
[00:07:26] Speaker B: It wouldn't.
[00:07:27] Speaker A: So if intellectual meditation isn't the universally very near path, then what is? This is precisely where chapter 18 pivots dramatically, offering a truly radical and frankly, profoundly inclusive resolution. Despite these potential intellectual or spiritual shortcomings, the text asserts that it is very near for everyone, even those we might have previously thought limited, to observe all divine commands. And this includes both positive commandments, which typically call for an expression of love, and prohibitive ones, which need a sense of Awe or fear.
[00:08:00] Speaker B: Okay, so all commands.
[00:08:02] Speaker A: All commands. And not just observing them outwardly, like going through the motions, but doing so with a true, deep, authentic feeling that resonates from the very core of one's being, you know, from the depths of the heart.
[00:08:14] Speaker B: This, as you say, is the fundamental game changer of chapter 18. The love and law it's now referring to aren't just intellectual attitudes or cognitive understandings, but genuine, heartfelt emotions in their fullest sense.
[00:08:25] Speaker A: So how? What's the key?
[00:08:27] Speaker B: The key, the text reveals, lies in what it describes as a hidden love, a love that is intrinsically present in the heart of all people.
[00:08:34] Speaker A: All people. Wow.
[00:08:36] Speaker B: All people. This isn't something that needs to be created or painstakingly cultivated through arduous meditation or intellectual wrestling or emotional straining.
Instead, it's something inherent. It's a birthright, a profound spiritual inheritance passed down through generations from the patriarchs.
[00:08:53] Speaker A: That's truly amazing, right? It implies that this profound spiritual connection, this love and awe, isn't something we have to laboriously build from scratch. It's already there, fully formed, just waiting to be accessed. The text explains that all that is required of us is to simply recall, become aware of this innate natural love.
[00:09:13] Speaker B: Just recall it.
[00:09:14] Speaker A: Just recall it. This recollection alone, this simple act of awakening to what is already present, will then powerfully motivate the observance of divine commands with genuine emotion from the heart. It sounds almost too simple, yet profoundly powerful in its implications for universal accessibility.
That kind of democratizes spirituality in a way that intellectual meditation, by its nature maybe can't.
[00:09:36] Speaker B: And because no arduous intellectual meditation is needed to create this love, only to recall or awaken, truly and unequivocally aligns with that phrase very near. This inherent love is accessible to everyone, irrespective of their intellectual abilities, their background knowledge, their current spiritual standing, or even their past actions.
It effectively removes the barrier of intellectual capacity, making the deepest form of divine connection a genuine love and awe in the heart, universally attainable. It's not about what you do to build it. It's about what you uncover that's already there.
[00:10:11] Speaker A: So what does this all mean for you? For me? For anyone listening? It means there's a kind of spiritual superpower, maybe an inherent divine connection already inside you, fully formed and just waiting to be awakened. It doesn't need to be built. It just needs to be remembered.
[00:10:25] Speaker B: This raises an important question, though. If it's already there, this hidden love, how exactly do we tap into it? And maybe more fundamentally, what Exactly. Is its origin? What makes it an inheritance? How does one inherit a spiritual state or an emotion?
Yeah. To truly understand its universal accessibility, we need to understand not just that it exists, but why it exists and how it became such a profound part of our spiritual heritage.
[00:10:50] Speaker A: And that's exactly what the text promises to clarify next, right?
[00:10:52] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:10:53] Speaker A: It's embarking on this deep dive into the very spiritual architecture of the soul. It's going to explain the precise origin of this love, which specific level of the soul it stems from, and its inherent character, meaning what kind of striving or intrinsic drive this love truly is.
And perhaps most crucially for our understanding, it will explain how this love became an inheritance in the first place, how it was transmitted across generations.
[00:11:17] Speaker B: And the fear part too.
[00:11:19] Speaker A: Right. Plus, we need to understand how fear or awe is integrated into it, because observing prohibitive commands clearly requires awe, not just love. It's revealed to be like a complete spiritual package, deeply woven into our very being.
[00:11:34] Speaker B: So to understand this profound inheritance, this naturally hidden love, the text directs our attention to the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It explains that the patriarchs were truly the chariot of the Divine. Now, this analogy, it sounds simple, maybe, but it's incredibly significant and profound in its spiritual meaning.
[00:11:52] Speaker A: A chariot? What does that imply?
[00:11:54] Speaker B: Well, think of a chariot. It has absolutely no will of its own. Right. It's entirely directed and moved solely by its writer.
[00:12:00] Speaker A: Completely passive.
[00:12:01] Speaker B: Exactly. In precisely the same way, the patriarchs had no will of their own. Apart from the divine will, their entire being, there's every desire, their every action, every thought was completely subservient and aligned with the Divine. They achieved a state of utter self nullification, where their personal ego and desires just dissolved in the face of absolute devotion to the Divine.
[00:12:24] Speaker A: That's a truly powerful and honestly almost unfathomable image, complete and uttered devation, where their personal desire simply melted away, becoming indistinguishable from the Divine. What makes them seem almost otherworldly in their spiritual commitment, you know, transcending normal human experience?
[00:12:41] Speaker B: It really does.
[00:12:42] Speaker A: But what was the consequence of such unparalleled devotion? What did that achieve?
[00:12:46] Speaker B: And because of this absolute devotion, this profound self nullification and unity with the Divine, the patriarchs merited a unique and extraordinary privilege, one that impacted all future generations.
[00:12:58] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:12:58] Speaker B: They were able to draw down aspects of soul, profound spiritual vitality for all subsequent generations of their descendants forever.
These aspects are often referred to by terms that translate roughly to the life force, the spirit and the higher soul.
[00:13:13] Speaker A: So the core components of the soul, the core Components.
[00:13:16] Speaker B: Exactly. These are not just fleeting influences. They are intrinsic components of the human soul.
The life force represents our basic vitality, our drive, our raw connection to existence. The spirit encompasses our emotional and intellectual core, our capacity for feeling and thought. And the higher soul represents a more transcendent, sublime connection to the divine. A level of consciousness that's almost fully unified with its source.
[00:13:41] Speaker A: And this wasn't just a one time event.
[00:13:43] Speaker B: No, not at all. It's a continuous, eternal legacy. A spiritual pipeline, you could say, established for all time.
[00:13:50] Speaker A: So it's like a spiritual inheritance, A direct pipeline of spiritual vitality, established way back then by the patriarchs, flowing directly into our very being even now.
[00:14:00] Speaker B: That's the idea.
[00:14:01] Speaker A: But does everyone receive the same level, the same aspect of life force, spirit or higher soul? Or is it more like a spectrum where some receive more, some less, based on their individual path?
[00:14:13] Speaker B: Maybe it is indeed a spectrum, and a dynamic one at that. The specific level of soul drawn down varies for each person.
This depends on their inherent root soul level, sort of the unique spiritual blueprint of their soul. And crucially, their deeds, their actions matter. Their actions absolutely matter. Their ongoing efforts towards self refinement and spiritual growth throughout their lives. The more you work on yourself, refining your character, aligning with divine principles, the higher the aspect of soul you can draw down, manifesting more of your inherent potential. Potential.
[00:14:43] Speaker A: Okay, that makes sense.
[00:14:44] Speaker B: However, and this is where the text gets truly inclusive and profound. Even the unworthiest and most sinful individuals draw down an aspect of soul. Even they get something from this pipeline.
[00:14:55] Speaker A: Even them.
From where?
[00:14:57] Speaker B: From the lowest level of holiness. Specifically, the text says this originates from the aspect of soul, of the attribute of royalty in the world of action.
[00:15:05] Speaker A: Okay, let's break that down because it sounds very specific and kind of technical.
We're talking about the four spiritual worlds, right? These realms of spiritual reality, from abstract down to manifest.
[00:15:16] Speaker B: Correct. Concentric realms.
[00:15:18] Speaker A: And within each world there are 10 divine attributes, like facets of divine expression. So the world of action is the lowest of these four spiritual worlds, the one most immediate to our physical reality, where divine influence is most concretized.
[00:15:35] Speaker B: Right.
[00:15:35] Speaker A: Closest to us, then the attribute of royalty is the lowest divine attribute within that lowest world, representing the divine's power of kingship and dominion, bringing things into manifest existence.
And the aspect of soul here refers to the lowest of three specific levels of vitality within that particular attribute. Yeah, so we're really talking about the absolute lowest rung on the ladder of spiritual holiness. The point closest to our physical world is that right?
[00:16:00] Speaker B: That's exactly right. It is, metaphorically speaking, the bottom of the spiritual barrel.
Yet. And this is the profound paradox of unity in holiness. Even this lowest level in the world of action, the attribute of royalty, there, by virtue of being part of the holy divine attributes and operating within a realm of fundamental unity, it is inherently compounded of all the other levels in the world of action. Which means that even the seemingly lowest point, this most manifest and constrained expression of divinity, inherently contains elements of even the highest divine attribute within that very same world of action, which is called wisdom of the world of action.
[00:16:40] Speaker A: That's a mind bender. It's like finding a microscopic universe within a single grain of sand. Even at the very bottom, in the most seemingly mundane or lowest spiritual state, there's a spark, a blueprint, a connection to the highest and most essential qualities within that realm. It reminds me of the idea that a single drop of water, no matter how small, still contains all the fundamental properties of the entire ocean.
It means the potential for connection, for divine essence, is never truly absent, no matter how low you might perceive yourself to be.
[00:17:11] Speaker B: It's an incredibly profound concept. It illustrates the deep interconnectedness and unity of all spiritual levels, even in their descent and differentiation.
And here's where we get an intriguing detail, a fascinating side note that further emphasizes this paradox and the pervasive nature of this inherited connection.
Sometimes, remarkably, even sinful parents, individuals who might be far from ideal in their spiritual or moral conduct, can bring down very lofty souls for their children.
[00:17:41] Speaker A: That sounds counterintuitive. How could spiritual impurity lead to spiritual loftiness? That doesn't seem right.
[00:17:46] Speaker B: Well, the Ties explains it happens because certain obstructing forces, which we can understand as negative spiritual influences or forces of spiritual impurity that seek to, you know, thwart or corrupt holiness, they willingly release these high level souls.
[00:18:00] Speaker A: Why would they do that?
[00:18:01] Speaker B: They do this with a cynical, calculated hope that the child being born into an environment lacking spiritual purity due to the parents conduct, will also become sinful.
The perverse logic is that if this lofty soul falls into sin, it would grant these negative forces even greater vitality and power drawn from the inherent holiness of that high level soul. It's a kind of spiritual gamble, a dark twist on divine providence.
[00:18:26] Speaker A: Wow. So these obstructing forces are essentially playing a long game, hoping to corrupt a high soul for their own sinister gain. That's a truly dark spiritual strategy to intentionally release a soul, hoping to defile it.
[00:18:38] Speaker B: It is, however, and this is the beautiful paradox and triumph of the Inherent soul. Such a child, despite their challenging upbringing and the malevolent intentions of these forces, actually has an incredibly lofty soul and immense spiritual potential within them.
[00:18:51] Speaker A: Ah, so the potential is still there.
[00:18:53] Speaker B: The potential is absolutely there. This inherent strength allows them to overcome these obstacles imposed by their parents, wickedness or environment. They can and often do rise to become righteous and spiritually elevated individuals, despite their challenging start.
[00:19:09] Speaker A: That's amazing.
[00:19:10] Speaker B: It illustrates how even challenging circumstances, or even the seemingly malevolent intentions of obstructing forces, can, through a strange twist of divine providence and the power of the soul, lead to profound spiritual growth and transformation, far exceeding expectations.
[00:19:26] Speaker A: So if we connect this to the bigger picture.
[00:19:28] Speaker B: If we connect this to the bigger picture, it reveals an incredible spiritual architecture. Even at the lowest points or under the most challenging circumstances, there's an inherent, unbreakable connection to the highest. And this inherited hidden love we're talking about, it's not just some vague concept. It's intricately woven into the very fabric of the soul, a foundational truth that exists regardless of one's outward circumstances or perceived a spiritual level.
It's really a testament to the Divine's omnipresent investment in every single soul.
[00:19:58] Speaker A: Okay. That explanation of the spiritual chain and the surprising potential found even in the lowest levels of connection, it truly sets the stage for understanding how this inherent love operates within us. It really underscores that this connection isn't just a possibility, it's a built in reality.
So let's continue following this remarkable chain of connection because it leads us directly to the profound revelation of the Divine's presence in every single soul, no matter how seemingly distant.
[00:20:28] Speaker B: Exactly.
We've seen how even the lowest aspect of soul, the attribute of royalty in the world of action, inherently contains wisdom of the world of action, which, despite being within the lowest spiritual world, is its highest attribute. Now, the text meticulously traces this spiritual light further upwards, revealing a seamless flow of divine vitality.
[00:20:47] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:20:47] Speaker B: It explains that wisdom of the world of action itself contains within it wisdom of royalty in the world of emanation.
Now this is profoundly significant because the world of emanation is the highest of the four spiritual worlds, the realm closest to the divine source, a state of near unity with the infinite, the highest level. The highest level. And within wisdom of royalty and the world of emanation is clothed wisdom of the world of emanation itself, the unadulterated primary divine wisdom.
[00:21:15] Speaker A: Here's where it gets really interesting, I think where the abstract becomes deeply personal because the text unequivocally states that within wisdom of the world of emanation is clothed the actual light of the blessed Infinite Divine.
Not just an emanation or an influence. It's the very essence, the actual light of the Infinite Divine, flowing down through these incredibly precise and interconnected spiritual conduits, spanning across worlds and attributes until it reaches even the most seemingly mundane levels of existence, down to our very souls. It's like discovering that the deepest, most fundamental part of your own spiritual DNA is directly and intimately connected to the infinite beyond any barrier of time, space, or even sin.
[00:21:59] Speaker B: And this profound connection isn't merely a theoretical construct. It's affirmed and supported by biblical verses. For instance, there's the verse the Divine, in his wisdom, founded the earth. This verse beautifully illustrates the process.
It shows how the Infinite Divine's light first illuminates the faculty of wisdom.
Then this divine wisdom in turn, clothes itself within the attribute of royalty, which is symbolically called earth. This earth represents the lowest level in its hierarchy, the most concrete and manifest point where divine influence begins to materialize, becoming comprehensible in our reality.
[00:22:34] Speaker A: So wisdom informs royalty, which founds the earth?
[00:22:36] Speaker B: In a sense, yes. And another powerful verse in Wisdom, you have made them all, further indicates that this divine wisdom, permeated with the infinite light, is ultimately clothed even in the world of action, which is the lowest of the spiritual worlds. This directly connects the highest divine essence to our physical realm and the processes of all creation, making it accessible to everything within existence.
[00:22:59] Speaker A: So the incredible universal takeaway here is what? That the Infinite Divine is directly clothed within the faculty of wisdom that resides in the soul of every single person. Every single person, regardless of their perceived spiritual level, their background, their knowledge of their past actions.
[00:23:13] Speaker B: That's the assertion. It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or where you come from, that divine spark, that direct fundamental connection, is inherently present within your deepest essence, illuminating your very being.
[00:23:27] Speaker A: Wow.
[00:23:27] Speaker B: And this faculty of wisdom, permeated and animated by the Infinite Divine light, then suffuses and gives life to the entire soul. It's not just a small, isolated corner. It's its animating influence spreads from head to foot, metaphorically speaking, eating everywhere in the soul, meaning from the highest, most sublime spiritual aspect of the soul down to its lowest, most manifest and active levels. This omnipresent elimination provides the soul with its very divine vitality, literally giving it life. As hinted by the verse, wisdom gives life to those who possess it.
[00:23:59] Speaker A: So wisdom is life.
[00:24:00] Speaker B: In a way, it means that the soul which possesses this faculty of wisdom as its core receives its very existence, its continuous life, and its spiritual animation through this profound inherent connection to the Infinite Divine.
[00:24:12] Speaker A: That's a truly foundational concept. It shifts our understanding from connection being something we seek or build, to something that inherently is within us, sustaining our very existence. It's not just about intellectual understanding or emotional feeling. It's about the very life force of the soul being directly illuminated by the Infinite Divine through this profound faculty of wisdom. Yes, but this begs an even deeper question.
Why wisdom?
Why is wisdom specifically this unique and perfect receptacle for the Infinite Divine light when it seems like other faculties like, I don't know, understanding or emotion might also play a role?
[00:24:51] Speaker B: That is precisely the next crucial point the text addresses, and it reveals a profound truth about the nature of the Divine and our capacity to relate to it. Wisdom, or choshma, as the text often refers to it, is explained as the initial seminal flash of intellect.
Think of it as that nebulous glimmer of an idea, the very first spark of insight that appears in your mind before you can even properly articulate it, before you can break it down, analyze it, or grasp its details. It's the raw potential of an idea, the undifferentiated point of inception.
[00:25:20] Speaker A: Okay, I think I get that.
[00:25:21] Speaker B: It is the fundamental source from which all intelligence, comprehension and understanding. Bina is the term for that subsequently emerge. Intelligence and comprehension are about taking that initial spark and developing it, expanding upon it, grasping an idea in all its details, ramifications, and connections. But Chunkma, wisdom is higher than that.
[00:25:41] Speaker A: Higher how?
[00:25:42] Speaker B: Like more important, higher in the sense of being prior, more fundamental, and less defined. So it's like the initial intuitive aha moment, that sudden burst of insight you get before you've even had a chance to fully process what the aha actually means or how it relates to anything else. It's the seed of an idea, not the fully grown plant with all its branches and leaves.
[00:26:03] Speaker A: Exactly. It represents something that is not yet fully grasped or understood by the intellect in a conventional sense. The text describes it as having a dual nature, a profound paradox within itself.
[00:26:14] Speaker B: A paradox? On one hand, it's the very source and foundation of intellect and comprehension, the spark from which all understanding ignites. On the other hand, and this is truly crucial to its role, it itself remains above graspable intellect. It's beyond our ability to fully contain or define through conventional thought.
This dual nature is beautifully reflected in its etymological composition, which can be interpreted to mean the faculty of the unknown, the power of what? As if One is constantly asking, what is it? When confronted with its essence? Precisely because it is utterly beyond one's current grasp. So while it's an intellectual faculty that gives rise to understanding, it's also, paradoxically, a faculty that cannot yet be fully comprehended or contained by the finite intellectual itself.
[00:27:00] Speaker A: This sounds almost like a spiritual paradox, an intellectual faculty that is, by its very nature, beyond intellect. It's quite a twist on our typical understanding of how our minds work. It suggests there's a love of our intellect that operates outside the confines of our rational comprehension.
[00:27:14] Speaker B: And this paradox, this unique dual nature, is precisely why wisdom serves as the perfect, indeed the only suitable vessel for the light of the infinite Divine.
[00:27:23] Speaker A: Why?
Because the Divine is also beyond grasp.
[00:27:26] Speaker B: Exactly. The infinite Divine, by definition, is something that can in no way be comprehended by any thought.
It is utterly beyond human understanding, beyond any finite intellectual grasp. Faculties of intelligence and comprehension, which operate by defining, analyzing, categorizing, and understanding within finite frameworks simply cannot serve as suitable receptacles for something that is by its very nature unknowable, undefinable, and unbounded by finite thought.
[00:27:55] Speaker A: They're too limited.
[00:27:56] Speaker B: They are only wisdom, which itself transcends comprehension and inherently embraces the unknown, which is of a form, flash of intellect that precedes and gives rise to understanding but remains beyond it. Only that can serve as a suitable vessel for the infinite Divine light. It is, in effect, a portal to the utterly transcendent within our own minds. This raises an important question, though, for our daily experience. If our finite intellect cannot truly grasp the divine, then how do we connect? How does this actually work for us?
[00:28:25] Speaker A: Right.
[00:28:25] Speaker B: The answer, as the text reveals, lies in something even deeper, more fundamental and more universally accessible than our conscious thought or intellectual understanding.
[00:28:36] Speaker A: That's a truly powerful revelation. It fundamentally shifts our perspective, doesn't it?
[00:28:40] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:28:41] Speaker A: Moving beyond the idea that connection is solely a matter of intellectual understanding or even deep emotional cultivation through meditation.
[00:28:49] Speaker B: Right.
[00:28:50] Speaker A: It suggests there's a fundamental connection that exists on a plane beyond our conscious, rational thoughts, a part of our being that can connect to the incomprehensible. And this leads us directly to the concept of faith, you're saying.
[00:29:02] Speaker B: Yes. Building on the profound concept that the divine in its essence is utterly beyond intellectual grasp, the text explains why all people universally possess a fundamental intrinsic faith in the divine. This is not a faith that must be learned or earned. It exists inherently. Inherently in everyone. In everyone. This includes individuals who might not have extensive formal knowledge of spiritual texts, those who might be considered unlearned or even those who struggle with abstract intellectual concepts.
This universal faith exists because it operates above understanding and comprehension. It is, by its very definition and nature, the inherent human ability to grasp that which the finite intellect simply cannot contain or fully understand.
[00:29:45] Speaker A: That's a truly democratic and incredibly inclusive idea of faith. It implies that true fundamental faith isn't about how much you know how many books you've read or how many philosophical arguments you can win.
[00:29:56] Speaker B: Not at all.
[00:29:56] Speaker A: It's about an innate, deeper capacity to connect to the transcendent.
This makes me think of that classic verse often the fool believes everything. But the clever man understands, traditionally that verse is kind of a cautionary tale. Right? It implies that it's foolish to accept things without critical reason or intellectual scrutiny.
[00:30:15] Speaker B: Exactly. When the subject can be understood by human reason, when it falls within the realm of finite logic and empirical observation, then indeed, believing everything indiscriminately without critical thought is foolishness. The clever person uses their intellect to discern, to analyze, to comprehend, and to distinguish truth from falsehood.
[00:30:35] Speaker A: Makes sense.
[00:30:35] Speaker B: However, the text here brilliantly recontextualizes this verse, applying it to the ultimate reality in relation to the Almighty, who is truly and fundamentally beyond all human intelligence and knowledge, who can in no way be comprehended by any thought, and who transcends all categories of finite understanding. And then, in this context, yes, all men are like fools before him.
[00:30:57] Speaker A: Wow. So what does this all mean for us? It turns our usual understanding of intelligence and its limits on its head, suggesting that our deepest, most essential connection to the Divine isn't always rational or intellectually reasoned.
[00:31:10] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:31:10] Speaker A: If the Divine is truly beyond all comprehension, then our intellectual understanding, as powerful as it is for navigating the finite world, simply isn't the primary or most profound tool for connecting to the infinite.
It's about a different kind of knowing.
[00:31:26] Speaker B: And therefore the only way to truly grasp the Divine, the only way to connect to that which is utterly unknowable by finite thought, is through this inherent power of faith. It's a leap beyond the rational, a fundamental acceptance of that which cannot be fully understood or articulated within the confines of our intellect.
[00:31:43] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:31:43] Speaker B: This is affirmed powerfully in the Psalms, in a verse that at first glance seems quite humble, maybe even self deprecating. I am foolish and ignorant. I am as a beast before you, and I'm constantly with you.
[00:31:54] Speaker A: Foolish and ignorant, as a beast constantly with you. How does that work?
[00:31:58] Speaker B: This verse is profound because it means that because one approaches the Divine through this irrational power of faith, approaching like A fool or a beast, meaning without intellectual reason as the primary driver relinquishing the need to fully comprehend. Precisely, therefore, and thereby one is constantly with the divine.
It's the very surrender of the finite intellect's demand for full comprehension that allows for a continuous, unmediated and unbreakable connection to the infinite. It's a connection born not of understanding, but of an intrinsic, unwavering bond that's incredibly counterintuitive.
[00:32:32] Speaker A: Yet in this context, it makes perfect sense. It's not about trying to box the infinite divine into our finite understanding. It's about connecting on a level that transcends our understanding, a level where our rational minds kind of step aside to allow for a deeper knowing.
[00:32:47] Speaker B: Exactly.
[00:32:47] Speaker A: And the ultimate, undeniable proof of this inherent, unreasoned strength of faith, the text argues, lies in the most extreme human action, self sacrifice.
[00:32:58] Speaker B: This is where the concept moves from, you know, abstract spiritual architecture and intellectual paradox to a very tangible, real world manifestation, a phenomenon witnessed throughout history and across cultures.
The text presents a powerful and often observed reality. Even the most worthless individuals, even sinners among people, will, on the whole, demonstrate an unwavering readiness to sacrifice their lives for the sanctity of the Divine's name. They will choose to endure severe torture, unthinkable pain, and ultimate death rather than deny the divine's unity.
[00:33:31] Speaker A: We've seen countless examples of this throughout history, haven't we? Individuals who by all outward appearances might be ordinary or even deeply flawed, show an incredible unshakable resolve in the face of ultimate adversity for their faith. It's a recurring testament to something profound within the human spirit.
[00:33:48] Speaker B: And here's the critical point, the insight that ties it all.
This readiness for martyrdom is not driven by intellectual knowledge or prolonged contemplation of the divine's greatness. These individuals, especially those described by the text as lacking deep knowledge of the divine's greatness. Meaning those who haven't spent years studying spiritual texts, texts, or engaging in deep philosophical meditation. They don't delve into abstract theological arguments or weigh the pros and cons of their choice.
[00:34:14] Speaker A: Right. They're not debating philosophy while facing death.
[00:34:16] Speaker B: Not at all. They don't engage in a philosophical debate with their torturers, trying to rationally justify their refusal to deny the divine.
[00:34:24] Speaker A: So it's not a calculated, reasoned decision based on intellectual understanding of theology or complex spiritual concepts. It's something far deeper, almost instinctive. It sounds like, yeah, beyond the realm of rational thought.
[00:34:36] Speaker B: That's exactly how it's presented.
[00:34:37] Speaker A: It's A fundamental part of their being that simply cannot be violated.
[00:34:41] Speaker B: Exactly. Instead, it stems from a profound non intellectual resolve, an intrinsic knowing. For them, it's simply impossible to renounce the One Divine. There is no rational argument, no external pressure, no pain, however immense, that can sway them from this core truth. It's a primal, unshakable knowing that defies any rational argument or reason whatsoever.
[00:35:02] Speaker A: It's just impossible.
[00:35:03] Speaker B: There's no if this, then that calculation. There's just an an absolute fundamental impossibility of turning away an inner core that remains steadfast.
[00:35:11] Speaker A: That's truly fascinating. It's like a core program in their spiritual operating system, deeply embedded and unalterable, that simply overrides all logical and even survival based algorithms declaring an absolute no to betrayal.
What then is the deepest reason for this incredible unreasoned strength that manifests in the face of such ultimate tests?
[00:35:34] Speaker B: This extraordinary phenomenon, this ultimate act of unreasoned devotion is explained by the fundamental truth we've been discussing throughout this deep dive. The one Infinite Divine illuminates and animates the entire soul through being clothed in its faculty of wisdom.
[00:35:49] Speaker A: Back to wisdom again.
[00:35:50] Speaker B: Back to wisdom. As we explore, this faculty of wisdom is inherently beyond any graspable knowledge or intelligence. It's the intrinsic point where the infinite and the finite intersect within every single soul. Yet where the infinite remains truly infinite and utterly incomprehensible by our limited minds, it is the core of our being that resonates directly with the Divine.
[00:36:10] Speaker A: So because the Infinite Divine's light is inherently vested in every single soul through this faculty of wisdom, everyone, regardless of their level of formal knowledge, their intellectual capacity, or their apparent spiritual distance, possesses this inherent non intellectual readiness to sacrifice for their faith.
[00:36:28] Speaker B: Faith. Yes.
[00:36:28] Speaker A: It's an undeniable, profound proof of the very near accessibility of this divine connection for absolutely everyone. It's not something external to be acquired, but something internal to be awakened. It's built into our spiritual DNA, a fundamental part of who we are.
[00:36:44] Speaker B: This truly underscores the profound depth of the soul's connection. It's a foundational truth that resides even deeper than our conscious thought, deeper than intellectual understanding, deeper than emotional fluctuations. It manifests in the most ultimate acts of devotion precisely because it is ultimate. An unshakable core.
[00:37:01] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:37:02] Speaker B: It demonstrates that the connection to the Infinite Divine is not a privilege for the few, for the learned, or the highly contemplative, but an inherent reality for all. It's a birthright. Tic tac Outro.
[00:37:12] Speaker A: What an incredible journey we've Taken today, really, truly a deep dive into the very core of spiritual connection. We started by re examining that concept of divine commands being very near to us and the challenge that intellectual meditation, while powerful, posed for its universal accessibility.
[00:37:30] Speaker B: Right, the whole very near problem.
[00:37:32] Speaker A: Exactly. We then dove into the profound revelation of an inherited natural love for the divine. A hidden love present in every single soul, A birthright passed down through generations from the patriarchs.
[00:37:45] Speaker B: We've uncovered how this inherent connection isn't exclusive to the scholarly, the saintly, or the outwardly righteous. It's a whole fundamental part of your very being, deeply rooted in the faculty of wisdom within your soul. And it's this faculty of wisdom that allows for a connection to the divine that transcends intellectual comprehension. A connection accessed through simple profound faith, a knowing that operates beyond the limits of reason.
[00:38:08] Speaker A: It truly shifts our perspective.
The most powerful spiritual connection isn't something you have to create from scratch through arduous intellectual or emotional effort, but something you uncover and awaken from within.
[00:38:20] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:38:21] Speaker A: It's a testament to the profound inherent unity of all souls with the divine.
[00:38:25] Speaker B: And that's a truly empowering thought, isn't it? It means the capacity for the deepest, most authentic spiritual connection is already within your grasp. Always. It's not some distant peak to conquer, but a wellspring within.
[00:38:38] Speaker A: Absolutely. So what does this all mean for you as you go about your week? It means that beneath all the layers of daily life, beneath your intellectual pursuits, your emotions, your experiences, your successes and your challenges, there is an unshakable fundamental bond.
This deep dive reveals that your spiritual core is illuminated by the infinite divine making profound connection. Not a distant goal, not something you have to earn through monumental effort, but an ever present potential. It's always there, waiting for you to simply recall it, to awaken to its presence.
[00:39:11] Speaker B: Yeah, Just remember it's there.
[00:39:13] Speaker A: Exactly. And here's a final thought to maybe chew on. Consider how this concept of inherent unreasoned connection might apply to other deeply held convictions or actions in our lives that seem to defy pure logic.
[00:39:26] Speaker B: Oh, interesting.
[00:39:27] Speaker A: What else might be operating from a similar deeply ingrained level of knowing that goes beyond understanding? Perhaps a core value you hold, an unbreakable commitment you feel, or an unyielding sense of truth that just is without needing rational justification. Something to think about as you go about your weekend.
