In his essay,
The Freedom, written in 1933, Baal HaSulam explains that within each object and within each person are four factors that define them. To explain these factors, he uses the example of the growth of a wheat seed. This is an excellent example, as it is easy to follow its growth process and helps us to understand the whole concept.
1. The First MatterOur Inherent Essence
The first matter is the inherent essence within every object. Although it may take different shapes, in itself, it never changes. For example, when wheat decays in the ground and its shape is completely lost, a new bud of wheat still grows from its inherent essence. The first factor, the essence, the bedrock, our genetic code, is within us from the very start. Hence, we are unable to change or affect it.
2. Unchangeable Qualities
The evolutionary laws of the essence never change, and from them stem the unchangeable qualities of each object. For example, a wheat seed will never produce any other kind of grain besides wheat; it will produce only the previous shape of wheat that it had lost.
These laws and the qualities deriving from them are predetermined by Nature. Each seed, each animal, and each person contains the evolutionary laws of the essence. This is the second factor that comprises us, and which we cannot affect.
3. Qualities that Can Be Changed By Affecting the Environment
While the seed remains the same kind of seed, its outer appearance changes according to the external environment. In other words, when affected by external elements and by defined rules, the envelope" of the essence changes in its quality.
The influence of the external environment adds more elements to the essence, and together they produce a new quality of the same essence. These elements might be the sun, soil, fertilizers, moisture, and rain. They determine the difficulties the new wheat will meet in its growth, as well as its quantity and quality.
If we transfer this example to a person instead of a seed, the external environment might be parents, teachers, friends, colleagues, books, and the messages one absorbs from the media. Thus, the third factor is the laws by which the environment affects the individual and induces changes in those qualities that are changeable.
4. Changes in the Environment that Affect the Object
The environment that affects the growth of the wheat is, itself, affected by external elements. These elements can change drastically: for example, there might be a drought or a flood, causing all the seeds to rot or dry out. As for us, this fourth factor involves changes in the environment itself, which then change how it affects the changeable qualities in the individual.
Thus, these four factors define the general state of each object. These factors define ones character, mode of thinking and process of deduction. They even determine what one wants and how one acts at any given moment. In the essay,
The Freedom, Baal HaSulam discusses each of these factors at length and reaches the following conclusions:
1. One cannot change ones genetic code, ones essence;
2. One cannot change the laws by which ones essence evolves;
3. One cannot change the laws by which external elements affect ones development,
4. One can change the environment one is in, and on which one is totally dependent, and choose a more favorable environment to attain ones life goals.
Put differently, we cannot affect ourselves directly, since we do not define our own essence and the way it develops. We are also unable to change the laws by which the environment affects us. However, we can influence our lives and our destinies by improving our environment.
Thus, our only free choice is the choice of the right environment. If we induce change in our surrounding conditions and improve our environment, we will change the effect of the environment on our changeable qualities, and thus determine our future.
In all of Natures degreesthe still, vegetative, animate, and humanonly the human can consciously choose an environment that defines its desires, thoughts, and actions. Hence, the correction process is based upon the relationship of the individual with the environment.
If our environment comprises a suitable basis for growth, we will achieve great results.
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