The three stages of deployment

 

 

The Baal Shem Tov tells us about three stages of spiritual development which I will compare – using an analogy to what he says – on learning how to ride a bike

 

First “Life is so boring!”

Dad buys you a bike with training wheels.

 

“Life is so fun!” you can freely ride around!

 

Then Dad takes off the training wheels.

 

“Life is so hard!” On and off you go, riding falling!

 

Eventually you learn the bliss of how to motivate yourself, enjoying your part in providing the balance, stamina, concentration necessary for you to feel that freedom of riding.