Machshava:

Ethics 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tanya

Description

P. 24 in the Tanya (9th perek). The nefesh behamis (animal soul) is sourced in the left side of the heart and then its middos spread throughout the body and up to the mind. The nefesh Elokis (G-dly soul) is housed in the mind, its natural territory. Everybody on their level must live life on the level of contemplation, to actually think about life. The goal is to direct the body, called a 'small city', in the ways of the nefesh Elokis. The conquest of the nefesh Elokis is about conquering the taivos (desires), rooted in the element of water, and focusing them on serving G-d, to rise up to the level of Ahava Rabba (powerful love). When a person is under the influence of the nefesh behamis, then it is difficult to avoid speaking lashon hara. It is a very wonderful thing to be in the sugya of truth through learning pnimius haTorah.