Chassidus, through the eyes of a psychotherapist

Tanya class 12 - Rooted in reality with a head and a heart that's free


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This gets confusing because on the one hand we live in a world which is clearly defined by right and wrong actions. We are told don’t steal, don’t murder if someone does those things, they are absolutely wrong.

On the other hand, we are told G-d is one unified field, G-d is everything and G-d is good, so how do we live with this paradox?

This equal and opposite rule applies only to physical reality. In the realm of action, there is duality, right and wrong action - which can always be shifted and changed as soon as its recognised. Therefore all 3 forms of expression - conscious thought, speech and action are called clothes. (Chapter 4 tanya) Clothing don’t define who we are.

The world of perception however is empowered to remain in the realm of unity. This means, instead of going down the road of because I did this wrong thing that means I am very bad. Or because you did this wrong thing you are disgusting. Unity consciousness holds the tension of opposites and sees the whole picture.

Curiously wondering, what is the opportunity of this moment? If I do wrong action, it is an opportunity for me to practice being accountable and facing my fears of rejection - showing that authenticity is more important to me then saving face. If someone does wrong action towards me it is an opportunity for me to practice holding boundaries with compassion.

Either one expresses divine light in the world through one action or another, but the connection and expression is always possible. we are Never stuck, never hopeless.

There is a wonderful story of Reb Zusha of Anipoli and Reb Elimelech of Lezenshk. They were arrested one evening for wondering around town and thrown into a prison cell filled with many peasants and one bucket used as a toilet. In the morning Reb Elimelech was very upset, Reb Zusha asked him, why? He said that every day of his life he had begun his day with prayer and today he would not be able to do so, being that there was an uncovered toilet in the room and it was forbid to daven in a place like that. Reb Zusha told him, why are you sad? The same G-d that told us to daven, told us not to daven if there was a toilet. So we have an opportunity to channel divine light today by not Davening. Reb Elimelech became so excited by this idea he began to dance and sing with his brother, soon all the other prisoners joined in. The guard came and asked what the fuss was all about. One of the other prisoners said he didn’t know but he thought it had something to do with the bucket. So the guard removed the bucket and the brothers were able to pray.

Wherever you are you are within G-d, you can’t get out even if you tried.

This is being in reality and yet rising above separateness consciousness Holding the tension of opposites between duality and unity, when we do this, we bridging the gap between the spiritual and physical worlds. We transcend reality whilst remaining in reality.

Right action keeps us rooted in reality, allowing us to drop deeper into our bodies and become more present, feet firmly planted on the ground, and unity consciousness stretches our minds and hearts as far as the heavens and bigger then the whole universe, it expands us so we can hold the whole world within.

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Chassidus, through the eyes of a psychotherapistBy Devori Nussbaum

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