Machshava:

Ethics 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tanya

Description

P. 14 in the commentary (9th perek). The there is a difference in the nature of the middos (character traits) of the nefesh behamis and the nefesh elokis. The nefesh behamis' middos are like the boiling blood of the heart, without boundaries. The middos of the nefesh elokis are filled with the life of the neshama, with intelligence, knowing when to make boundaries. The mind is naturally cool, while the heart is naturally hot and explosive. Emotions from the nefesh behamis are very strong but temporary, they are reactions, not thought out. A thinking person thinks about those inyanim (ideas) that will awaken ahavas Hashem in his heart. The Rebbe Reb Zusha was on fire, but it was from his nefesh elokis. A person can bring himself to simcha through contemplating Hashem's greatness.