זוהר שמות — דף ריב ע”א

On the second occasion, after the soul has dwelt in the lower Garden of Eden, it does not fully separate from the images of this world. When it is brought up to the upper Garden of Eden, it must separate from all visions and all things below. The process of ascent involves purification and detachment from the bonds of this world. The soul passes through stages of purification and rises degree by degree. At each stage it clothes itself in a more refined garment suited to that degree.