Machshava:

Ethics 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tanya

Description

P. 236. (6th perek). Any thought, speech, or action that is not done with the proper kavana (intention) goes to the Other Side, taking a person further away from Hashem. The nefesh Behamis (animal soul) has many ways to pull us away. All of these things done without l'shem shamayim (for the sake of Heaven) are hevel (emptiness) and reus ruach (shattered). On Yom Kippur, there were only two goats - one for Hashem, and one for the Other Side. Everything that exists either belongs to one side or the Other, there is no neutral zone in between. The beinoni lives on the side of kedusha (holiness), and has to not allow himself to slip into the Other Side.