The metaphysical use of the word principle has been unclear to me. So I went to etymonline and learned:

Principle – late 14c., “origin, source, beginning” (a sense now obsolete), also “rule of conduct; axiom, basic assumption; elemental aspect of a craft or discipline,” from Anglo-French principle, Old French principe “origin, cause, principle,” from Latin principium (plural principia) “a beginning, commencement, origin, first part,” in plural “foundation, elements,” from princeps (genitive principis) “first man, chief leader; ruler, sovereign,” noun use of adjective meaning “that takes first,” from primus “first” (see prime (adj.)) + root of capere “to take” (from PIE root *kap– “to grasp”).

primus “first” (see prime (adj.)) + root of capere “to take”.

Capere, again! The root of conception/conceive/concept, perception/perceive/percept, reception/receive____. . .

First-take, preceding all other taking.

Principle: receptivity precedes data.

We are given only what we can take.

Back to etymonline:

Kabbalah – “Jewish mystic philosophy,” 1520s, also quabbalah, etc., from Medieval Latin cabbala, from Mishnaic Hebrew qabbalah “reception, received lore, tradition,” especially “tradition of mystical interpretation of the Old Testament,” from qibbel “to receive, admit, accept.” Compare Arabic qabala “he received, accepted.” Hence “any secret or esoteric science.”

Kabbalah is learning to take what may be given — and given only if we cultivate capacity to receive.