Dear JLI Participant,
Thank you for joining us for the Class #3 of Soul Maps. This invigorating class really got us moving in the personal growth process.
The following is a summary of Soul Maps Lesson #3.
Introduction:
In the first two lessons we learned about the makeup of the human personality, the two souls the animalistic and G-dly, and how to control which soul will dominate in the expressive functions of thought, speech and action.
Issue:
We can always be in control and do the right thing. But a constant personal battle is very weary and unsustainable. We are looking for the internal motivation to energize us to make the right decisions. During this lesson we will focus on creating that motivation.
The Inner and External
We have learned to control our external expressions. Now we are going to work on the internal emotions to try to bring them in line with our external expressions. We will not be the Tzadik who has no internal conflict. We will still have the desires of the animal soul and the internal conflict between the two souls. But we will create the emotional bond that will give us the energy to do the right thing.
The Long and Short Way
On the title page of Tanya, Rabbi Schneur Zalman writes about a long and short way. Creation of an emotional bond is one area that employs a long and short way.
Both methods use awareness as the tool to emotional bonding. An awareness of a situation makes us more likely to act appropriately. For example, when we become aware of the benefits of recycling, it becomes easier to take the time and effort to recycle.
The Long Way - Meditation
Jewish Meditation or Contemplation is a long time practiced method of connecting to G-d. By thinking and focusing on G-d, his greatness and what he has done for us, we create a stirring of emotions towards G-d. These emotions will lead us to connect to G-d via the fulfillment of the positive commandments, and to show our awe of G-d by restraining from the prohibitive commandments. Even if our focusing and meditating on G-d does not create true heartfelt emotions, they will create 'intellectual emotions', i.e. an appreciation of G-d which will also produce the desired result of the fulfillment of Torah and Mitzvot.
Pros: Consistent Meditation will change the internal dynamics of a person.
Cons: It takes lengthy effort to achieve the goal. Hence, the Long Way.
The Short Way - Instinctive Motivation
In the Short Way, we use our natural instincts to create love of G-d. Every Jew has a natural connection to G-d which has been bequeathed to us from our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This instinctive connection does not allow us to completely sever our ties to Judaism or declare loyalty to another 'G-d'.
We can view every positive commandment as an affirmation of our belief in G-d [the first commandment] and acknowledgement of G-d's presence. Every restrictive commandment can be viewed as a rejection of a Foreign G-d [the second commandment].
Thus in an instant we can create motivation to help control our thought, speech and actions. Just view everything in the light of Belief in G-d and rejection of a Foreign G-d.
Pros: Easily available
Cons: Does not change the psyche of the person. Just using our instincts.
Conclusion and Homework
Every person can create the internal emotions to motivate us to control our actions. We can employ a Long Way and/or a Short Way. By creating these emotions, we bring our external behavior in sync with our internal psyche.
During this week see if you can try to create these emotions to help you make the right decisions.
See you, G-d willing, next Wednesday for our fourth lesson where we will focus on the reality of life.
Feel free to post your feedback or comments
Yisroel Freeman