Machshava:

Ethics 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tanya

Description

P. 10 in the commentary (9th perek). The nefesh behamis is revealed, and gives life to the body through the left side of the heart that is 'full of blood', and that sends blood throughout the rest of the body. All of the taivas (lusts) and negative character traits are therefore revealed in and come from in the emotions of the heart. When the blood rises to the brain, then a person's sechel (mind) becomes influenced by these negative emotions. The nefesh behamis relies on the sechel to intellectually justify the taiva. How could the mind tolerate this influence of the nefesh behamis? The main place of the nefesh elokis is in the brain, and it has an influence over the right side of the heart through its good middos. The mind requires hisbonenus (concentration and contemplation) in order to have a positive influence.