Introduction to the Book of Zohar (PDF) - Kabbalah Media Archive

P R E FAC E T O T H E B O O K O F Z O H A R
Atzilut. This is the same as the mental plan in the example above,
where the initial design is realized as the house is being built in reality.
This happens with us, the Souls in the Worlds of BYA.
Therefore, there is not the smallest component in this world that did
not emanate from the World of Infinity, and this defines the condition
of all Souls in the initial state. The World of Atzilut emanates
from the World of Infinity, which is the personal relationship toward
every new component existing in our world. From the World of Atzilut,
every new emanation into the three Worlds of BYA unfolds into
action, into the Worlds of Yetzira, Assiya and the lowest level in our
world, and is revealed as the Creator’s attitude toward creation.
Let us understand that there is nothing new existing in this world
that did not emanate from the common root in the Creator’s World
of Infinity, his personal root in the World of Atzilut, that came down
into the Worlds of BYA and became the creation by unfolding into
our world.
That is to say, if we observe a creature or an action in this world, we
should take it as the Creator’s act descending from the World of Infinity.
In accordance with it, we need to check very well whether we should
intervene in the process, or just change our attitude to it. We see that all
of man’s attempts to change the world lead to deterioration in ecology,
to bigger disappointments and suffering. The reason for that lies in our
conviction that everything does not descend from the World of Infinity,
but depends on our actions.
If the person stops interfering in the surrounding world and only
concentrates on his inner work (i.e., on his attitude to the world), he can
transform it beyond recognition and elevate his own perception of the
world to the state of Infinity and perfection.
By giving up his attempts to change this world mechanically outside
himself, but, rather, trying to correct his attitude, his inner sensations,
70