| Keter Shem Tov: Spiritual Illness |
 |
 |
| Written by Bentzion of Medziboz |
 The Baal Shem Tov taught: When a person becomes aware of what deeply ails him, of the fact that he is spiritually ill - that his mind is constricted in katnut/immature consciousness
- this very awareness softens his constriction, and this awareness itself is the healing of his illness.1 However, if one is unaware - referred to as hester/concealed consciousness (as the verse says, "I will conceal Myself" (Deuteronomy 31:18) - and does not realize that he is spiritually ill, then there is nothing that can heal his wounds. 1The workings of person's soul are very deep and convoluted, and most people are not aware at all of what motivates them and why they act in certain ways. These motivations are usually based on deep-seated emotional needs that were formed in one's early years, in one's "katnut," one's childhood/adolescence. Because one's consciousness, if constricted and limited during these years, causes these dynamics to develop without one's awareness, and to sink deeply into the unconsciousness. It may only be many years later that one begins to become aware of these deep-seated motivations, and of how so much of his behavior arises from this immature consciousness. The Baal Shem Tov teaches us here that simply becoming more and more aware of these dynamics softens their grip on us, and gradually releases us from our constricted behavior patterns, revealing to us depths of soul that had previously been concealed. There is no other way to healing oneself, as the Baal Shem Tov concludes. Translation and commentary by Rabbi Yehoshua Starrett and reprinted with the kind permission of the Baal Shem Tov Foundation. Please visit www.baalshemtov.com Also, write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to receive the Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov in your email inbox, visit and join a discussion group on the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov at http://groups.google.com/group/teachings_of_the_besht?hl=en Publicize the Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov To Help Bring Moshiach Right NOW! Bentzion Meltzer 954.242.9208 www.besht-yomi.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it http://groups.google.com/group/teachings_of_the_besht?hl=en http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stories_of_the_Baal_Shem_Tov/ 
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Comments (0)
 Write comment
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Subscribe
