What is the meaning of the concepts ‘Arousal from Above’ and ‘Arousal from Below’?
When a person lacks enthusiasm and motivation in the spiritual realm, there are two ways to refresh them. The first way is to receive an infusion of spiritual energy from ‘above’ without preparation on part of the person, and the second way is that the person arouses himself to carry out his task in the world.
The first method is called in Chassidut ‘Arousal from Above’. Sometimes there is Divine mercy and even though the person has not necessarily earned it, he is given renewed vitality and arousal of his soul to return to G d. The virtue of this method is that the person has a powerful spiritual experience. The drawback of this method is that because it came from above without previous effort by the person, it can be a passing experience that does not leave an impression.
The second method is called in Chassidic terminology ‘Arousal from Below’, which comes from the work the person does to arouse and motivate himself. It penetrates his being and leaves a lasting impression.