Why You Can't Function (Even Though You Are Capable)
You are smart, talented, and aware. So why are you stuck? Ruth Kedem explains: The gap between "Skills" and "Functioning" isn't laziness. It is a conflict of Wills.
THE GAP
The gap between Skills (Kishurim) and Functioning (Tifkud) Is a root phenomenon.
It stems from a difference between the Essence of the Vessel And the way the Light operates within it at a given time.
A person can hold: Skills, Knowledge (Da’at), Sensitivity, And high ability.
But if the Internal Vessel is not settled and directed, The Light is not revealed in Action. It remains in Potential (B’Koach).
THE SCATTERED WILL
When the Supreme Will of a person is not arranged under One Clear Goal, The forces scatter.
The skills work, but each in a different direction. And the functioning becomes: Fragmented. Tired. Or Blocked.
There is no lack of ability here. There is a Multiplicity of Intentions (Ribui Kavanot).
The person wants:
To act correctly.
To protect himself.
To be understood.
Not to get hurt.
Not to hurt others.
All these desires clash with one another. This internal collision creates Freezing. Or action that does not reflect the depth of the ability.
THE MIND VS. THE HEART
This is a state of Partial Control of the Animal Soul over the Action System. Even when the Divine Soul is clear and developed in the Intellect.
The person understands. He knows and sees the Truth. But the Character Traits (Middot) are still acting out of Survival, Fear, or the Need for Recognition.
The Gap is created because: The Mind has already ascended a level. But the Emotions have not yet followed it.
The Functioning is left behind, even though the Skills are ripe.
THE LAW OF CHAOS
The Zohar adds: The Light does not dwell in a place of Chaos (Eirbuvia).
The skills do not disappear. But they cannot be revealed in perfection. Because the Light needs Internal Rest in order to clothe itself in Action.
Therefore, a talented person in an unsettled environment (internal or external) Will function below their abilities.
THE SOLUTION: INTERNAL ORDER
Closing the gap is not done by adding Effort. It is done by Internal Arrangement.
There is a need to unify One Simple Intention above all other considerations.
When a person clarifies to themselves “For what purpose am I acting?” And stops trying to answer all external and internal demands simultaneously— The Skills begin to gather into the Functioning.
MIND RULING THE HEART
In the Tanya, this is called: “To make the Mind rule the Heart in actuality” (Moach Shalit Al HaLev). Not just in understanding.
This is Settling of the Mind (Yishuv HaDa’at). Placing the person under One Leadership. In the Zohar, this is a state of Internal Peace that allows the Light to descend.
CONCLUSION: LESS IS MORE
Therefore, the solution is Contraction (Tzimtzum), not Expansion.
Less scattering.
Less reactivity.
Less trying to please or protect.
And more quiet loyalty to the Inner Essence.
When the Vessel stabilizes, The Functioning catches up to the Skills almost by itself. Not out of struggle. But out of Alignment.