Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 12:7

Hook

We find ourselves in a moment of quiet contemplation, a space where the inner landscape shifts and settles. There's a subtle hum in the air, a longing perhaps, or a gentle stillness. This mood, this delicate balance, is precisely what we'll explore through the profound resonance of music. Today, we turn to the ancient wisdom of the Tanya, seeking not to conquer, but to understand the ebb and flow of our inner world. We will find a musical key, a niggun, a wordless melody that can help us navigate these currents, offering a tool for inner harmony.

Text Snapshot

"The benoni (intermediate) is he in whom evil never attains enough power to capture the 'small city,' so as to clothe itself in the body and make it sin."

"That is to say, the three 'garments' of the animal soul, namely, thought, speech, and act, originating in the kelipah [shell/outer husk], do not prevail within him over the divine soul to the extent of clothing themselves in the body..."

"Only the three garments of the divine soul, they alone are implemented in the body, being the thought, speech, and act engaged in the 613 commandments of the Torah."

"However, the essence and being of the divine soul... do not constantly hold undisputed sovereignty and sway over the 'small city,' except at appropriate times..."

Close Reading

The Tanya, in this passage, offers a profound insight into the human condition, not as a battleground of absolute victory or defeat, but as a dynamic landscape of ongoing engagement. The concept of the "benoni"—the intermediate soul—is not one of striving for an unattainable perfection, but of recognizing a state of equilibrium. It's about understanding that the "evil" within, the impulses and desires that stem from the kelipah (the "shell" or outer husk of our being), never quite manage to fully "capture the small city." This "small city" is a beautiful metaphor for our inner self, our consciousness, our being. The vital point here is that this evil never clothes itself in the body to the extent of making us sin. It might whisper, it might tempt, it might even stir within, but it doesn't gain full dominion over our actions, our words, our committed thoughts.

Insight 1: The Power of Restraint and Intentionality

This distinction between internal stirrings and external action is crucial for emotional regulation. The Tanya highlights that the benoni has the capacity to prevent the impulse from becoming an act. Even when desires for worldly delights, or even forbidden ones, arise, the benoni does not allow these to manifest in deed, speech, or even persistent, concentrated thought. This isn't about denying the existence of these desires, but about the active, internal process of not acting on them. The text emphasizes the "willpower in his brain" that can "restrain himself and control the drive of lust that is in his heart." This is where we find a powerful tool for managing our emotional responses. When strong feelings of anger, jealousy, or longing arise, the benoni model doesn't suggest we should magically feel them disappear. Instead, it points to our inherent ability to choose how we respond. We can recognize the impulse, acknowledge its presence, but then, through our intellect and will, choose not to let it dictate our behavior. This act of intentional restraint, of diverting our attention, is not a sign of weakness but of profound inner strength and self-mastery. It's the conscious decision not to let a fleeting feeling or a fleeting thought define our actions or our character. The text states, "he thrusts it out with both hands and averts his mind from it the instant he reminds himself that it is an evil thought, refusing to accept it willingly." This active rejection, this conscious turning away, is a practice of emotional discipline. It allows us to create space between the stimulus and the response, a space where wisdom and deliberate choice can operate.

Insight 2: The Dynamic Nature of Spiritual and Emotional Sovereignty

The passage also speaks to the fluctuating nature of our inner spiritual and emotional sovereignty. It explains that the divine soul's faculty of intellect and will doesn't hold "undisputed sovereignty and sway over the 'small city' constantly." There are "appropriate times," like during prayer, when this sway is more pronounced. This acknowledges the reality that our spiritual and emotional strength is not always at its peak. There are moments of clarity and connection, and there are moments when the "evil in the left part reawakens," bringing with it desires and distractions. This recognition is liberating. It means that even if we experience a surge of negative emotions or distracting thoughts after a period of spiritual engagement, it doesn't negate our spiritual standing. The Tanya assures us that even when these desires resurface, "the evil has not the sole authority and dominion over the 'city.'" This means that while the divine soul's sway might be temporarily less prominent, it hasn't been entirely extinguished. The "impression of prayer on the intellect and the hidden... fear and love of G–d" still remain, providing an underlying strength. This is where the practice of music becomes so potent. Music, particularly wordless melodies, can tap into these deeper, more innate feelings of connection and love, even when our conscious thoughts are scattered or our emotions are turbulent. It can help us reconnect with that underlying "goodness" that the Tanya describes, reminding us of the divine soul's presence and its inherent desire for holiness. The text's description of the divine soul's faculty of wisdom surpassing folly "as light surpasses darkness" is a powerful affirmation. Even a small amount of this inner light can banish a great deal of darkness. This suggests that cultivating even a small practice of spiritual engagement, like listening to or singing a niggun, can have a significant impact in reasserting the dominance of our higher nature. It's about understanding that our inner world is a fluid environment, and through conscious practice, we can learn to navigate its shifts with greater grace and resilience.

Melody Cue

Imagine a simple, soaring niggun, a wordless melody that begins with a gentle, searching phrase. It rises slowly, like a question whispered to the heavens, then descends with a sigh of acceptance. The melody is not complex, but it carries a profound sense of longing and an underlying current of unwavering devotion. Think of a melody that feels like it's being hummed from the depths of the heart, a tune that acknowledges the struggle but ultimately finds solace in connection. It's a melody that can be sung with closed eyes, allowing the sound to resonate within the "small city" of your being.

Practice

(60-Second Sing/Read Ritual)

Find a quiet moment, perhaps as you settle into your commute or before you begin your day at home. Close your eyes, or soften your gaze. Take a deep, grounding breath.

(Begin singing or humming the chosen niggun softly. If you don't have a specific niggun in mind, you can hum a simple, rising and falling melody.)

As the melody unfolds, gently bring to mind the idea of your "small city"—your inner self. Acknowledge any feelings that are present, without judgment. Perhaps there's a sense of longing, a flicker of frustration, or a quiet peace.

(Continue humming the melody.)

Now, with each repetition of the melody's phrase, imagine the light of your divine soul gently illuminating your inner landscape. Visualize this light not as a forceful expulsion of darkness, but as a quiet, persistent presence that makes the darkness recede.

(Humming continues, perhaps becoming a little steadier.)

Feel the melody settling within you, a gentle anchor. Remind yourself that even when challenging emotions arise, they do not define you. You have the capacity to choose your response. You have the inner strength to guide your thoughts, speech, and actions towards what is good.

(The melody fades to a gentle hum or silence.)

Take one more deep breath, carrying this sense of inner peace and groundedness with you.

Takeaway

The wisdom of the benoni teaches us that spiritual and emotional well-being is not about the absence of struggle, but about the ongoing, intentional practice of guiding our inner life. Music, in its wordless essence, offers a profound pathway to this practice. By engaging with a niggun, we tap into a deeper resonance within ourselves, a space where we can acknowledge our internal currents and choose to align them with our highest aspirations. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of life’s inevitable fluctuations, we possess an innate capacity for light and for choosing connection.