Derekh Hashem, Part Three, On the Prophetic Experience

The teaching to those learning: Indeed, the prophecy students would study given topics [about] what would bring down the influence of the Most High; how one would nullify any barriers from the material body and bring about the revelation of His light, may He be blessed and the cleaving to Him; and more generally, the mention of holy names, praises that would be joined with names in the ways of combination, as we wrote earlier. And according to that which they merited with their deeds, purified themselves and pursued these matters, they drew themselves closer to Him, may He be blessed; and began to draw the [divine] influence upon themselves. Then they reached various accomplishments until they arrived at prophecy. And an established prophet who already and expertly knew the ways of prophecy would teach them - each one according to his readiness - what to do to attain the desired goal. And likewise when the revelations would begin to come to them, the prophet would teach them about the revelation they received and what was still lacking from the goal that they were seeking. So they would surely require the teacher and guide, until it was clear that they completely mastered prophecy. For even though they had already begun with revelations and the influence had descended upon them - this would not be enough for them to reach the end of the matter immediately. Rather they required much guidance to reach the end properly - each one according to his level and his preparedness.