Machshava:

Ethics 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tanya

Description

P. 32 in the commentary (9th perek). All of the nefesh behamis' negative middos (qualities) stem from its essence, which is taiva (desire seeking) and taanug (pleasure seeking). A person who conquers his nefesh behamis then transfers all of the taiva and taanug into his avodas (serving) Hashem. The tzaddikim have consistency in their fire for doing mitzvos, which they worked very hard to reach. We have to force the nefesh behamis into submission, initially. The nefesh behamis is not evil in itself, it just wants bad things, but it can just as easily want good. The goal is not the destroy the taiva, but to redirect it into kedusha (holiness).