Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 9:1

This lesson is designed to offer a gentle on-ramp to exploring the profound text from Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 9:1, focusing on memory and meaning. It is intended for those who are familiar with some contemplative practices and are ready to delve into deeper layers of inner experience.

Hook

We gather today at the threshold of remembrance, not to simply revisit the past, but to invite its echoes into our present, to find the enduring threads that weave through the tapestry of our lives. Perhaps you are marking an anniversary of loss, a birthday that now holds a different resonance, or simply a quiet moment where a particular memory has surfaced with unexpected clarity. Whatever the occasion, this space is held for you, for the gentle unfolding of what is present within. The passage we will explore speaks to an inner landscape, a dynamic interplay of forces within us. It offers a framework for understanding the depth of our human experience, particularly how we navigate the complexities of our emotions, our desires, and our connection to something larger than ourselves. This text, rooted in ancient wisdom, invites us to consider how even in moments of grief or profound change, there can be a profound sense of continuity and meaning.

Text Snapshot

From Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 9:1:

"The abode of the animal soul (nefesh habahamit), derived from the kelipat nogah in every Jew, is in the heart, in the left ventricle that is filled with blood. It is written, 'For the blood is the nefesh.' Hence all lusts and boasting and anger and similar passions are in the heart, and from the heart they spread throughout the whole body, rising also to the brain in the head, so as to think and meditate about them and become cunning in them...

But the abode of the divine soul is in the brains that are in the head, and from there it extends to all the limbs; and also in the heart, in the right ventricle wherein there is no blood, as is written, 'The heart of the wise man is on his right.' It is [the source of] man’s fervent love toward G–d which, like flaming coals, flares up in the heart of discerning men who understand and reflect, with the faculty of knowledge of their brain, on matters that arouse this love..."

This ancient teaching describes an inner struggle, a powerful dynamic within the human psyche. It speaks of two "souls" or animating forces within us: the "animal soul," rooted in our physical being and earthly desires, located in the heart's blood-filled left ventricle, and the "divine soul," connected to higher aspirations and spiritual love, residing in the intellective "brains" and the bloodless right ventricle of the heart. The text poetically illustrates this as a "war" over our being, a struggle for dominance within our "small city" of a body. It offers a profound perspective on how our deepest loves and desires, our intellect and our passions, are not separate entities but are engaged in a constant, dynamic relationship, shaping our every thought, feeling, and action.

Kavvanah

The Intention to Hold: Embracing the Sacred War Within

Our intention today, as we sit with this text and the memories it may evoke, is to cultivate a sacred spaciousness for the inner landscape it describes. We are not here to force a particular outcome, nor to demand that one aspect of ourselves "win" over another in a harsh, judgmental way. Instead, we invite a gentle curiosity, a deep acceptance of the inherent dynamic within us. This ancient teaching speaks of a "war" over the body and its limbs, a struggle between the "animal soul" driven by earthly desires and the "divine soul" yearning for connection to the Infinite. This is not a battle to be feared, but a profound dance of energies that is fundamental to our human experience.

As we hold this intention, we might consider the people we are remembering, the love they inspired, and the lessons they imparted. We can acknowledge the "blood" of our experiences, the raw emotions, the passions, the angers, the lusts that the text associates with the animal soul. These are not inherently "bad," but are the vital energies of our being, derived from our physical existence. Simultaneously, we can recognize and honor the "divine soul," the spark of the Infinite within us, the capacity for fervent love, for awe, for understanding, which the text places in our intellect and the "bloodless" right ventricle of the heart.

Our kavvanah, our intention, is to witness this inner dynamic with compassion and wisdom. It is to understand that the "war" described is not a sign of failure, but a testament to the profound capacity for transformation and elevation that resides within us. We can intend to approach the manifestations of our animal soul – our grief, our longing, even our moments of anger or despair – not as enemies to be vanquished, but as energies that can, with awareness and intention, be understood, integrated, and even transformed. We can bring a gentle focus to the "divine soul" within, not by suppressing the earthly, but by consciously cultivating its light through reflection, love, and a commitment to meaning.

We are not seeking to deny or erase the complexities of our grief or the powerful emotions that arise. Rather, our intention is to bring awareness to the interplay of these forces, to understand how our deepest yearnings and our most earthly desires are in constant dialogue. We can intend to see how the very passions of the "animal soul," when illuminated by the wisdom of the "divine soul," can be channeled into a more profound and enduring love, a love that can encompass the fullness of our experience, including the pain of loss. This is an invitation to find the "delight" in spiritual connection, as the text suggests, a delight that can arise even from the very depths of our being, transforming our understanding of what it means to love and to remember.

Our intention is to hold a space of profound self-compassion, recognizing that this inner struggle is universal. We are not alone in this dance. By bringing our awareness to these inner forces, we can begin to understand how to navigate them with greater wisdom and grace, allowing the light of our divine spark to illuminate even the darkest corners of our hearts and minds. We are not aiming for perfection, but for a deeper, more integrated experience of ourselves, one that honors both the earthly and the divine within.

Practice

The Embodied Witness: A Micro-Practice of Inner Mapping and Transformation

This practice invites you to engage with the text's depiction of the inner landscape through a gentle, embodied exploration. It is a way to bring the abstract concepts of the "animal soul" and the "divine soul" into a felt sense within your own being. This practice is designed to be completed within approximately five minutes, offering a brief yet potent moment of connection and insight.

Preparation: Find a comfortable seated position. Allow your spine to be long but not rigid. Gently close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a few moments to simply arrive in your body, noticing the sensation of your breath entering and leaving your lungs.

The Practice:

1. Locating the Heart's Centers (Approx. 1 minute): Bring your awareness to your physical heart. Without judgment, gently place one or both hands over your heart. Notice the warmth, the gentle rhythm of your pulse beneath your fingertips. Now, bring to mind the text's description of the heart. It speaks of the left ventricle, filled with blood, as the abode of the "animal soul," the source of "lusts, boasting, anger, and similar passions." Simply acknowledge this physical space and the energies it represents. You might notice any sensations that arise here – perhaps a warmth, a heaviness, or a fluttering. There is no need to change anything, just to notice. Then, shift your awareness to the right ventricle, wherein there is no blood, described as the abode of the "divine soul," the source of "fervent love toward G–d." Imagine this space. It is often associated with intellect and deeper, more serene emotions. You might feel a sense of calm, clarity, or a subtle expansion in this area. Again, observe without judgment.

2. The Gentle War and the Choice (Approx. 2 minutes): The text speaks of a "war" between these two souls over the body. Without creating internal conflict, simply acknowledge this dynamic. You might imagine these energies as currents flowing within you. Perhaps you notice the pull of earthly desires, the urgency of immediate needs, the echoes of past hurts that fuel anger or sadness. This is the energy of the animal soul. Then, feel the subtle but persistent yearning for something more, the capacity for love that transcends circumstance, the quiet wisdom that seeks understanding. This is the whisper of the divine soul. The text states, "One nation shall prevail over the other nation." This is not a decree of inevitable conquest, but an invitation to conscious choice. For the next minute, bring your awareness to a choice you can make right now to allow the divine soul to inform your experience. This is not about suppressing your grief or your earthly feelings, but about how you engage with them. For example, if you are feeling overwhelming sadness (animal soul), can you also bring a moment of awareness to the love that created that sadness (divine soul)? If you feel a surge of anger (animal soul), can you, with a breath, also connect to the underlying desire for justice or for peace (divine soul)? This is not a forced act, but a gentle turning, a conscious redirection of attention.

3. Cultivating a "Garment" of the Divine Soul (Approx. 1 minute): The text speaks of the divine soul extending its "garments" – thought, speech, and action – throughout the body. Choose one of these "garments" to focus on for this moment.

   • Thought: Can you dedicate this moment to a single thought of gratitude for the person you are remembering, or for a moment of peace you are experiencing?
   • Speech: Can you silently offer a word of blessing, or a simple phrase of remembrance, such as "[Name], I remember you with love"?
   • Action: Can you commit to a small, kind action in the coming hours, inspired by the memory of love or a desire to bring goodness into the world?

4. Integration and Release (Approx. 1 minute): Gently bring your hands back to rest in your lap. Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, release any tension you may be holding. Acknowledge that this inner dynamic is ongoing. You have simply taken a moment to map it, to witness it, and to consciously align with the divine spark within. Carry this awareness with you as you continue your day.

Practice Options:

• The Candle of Intention: Light a single candle. As you watch the flame flicker, consider it a representation of the divine spark within you. Dedicate this flame to illuminating your inner landscape with wisdom and love. You might whisper the name of the person you are remembering, offering them this light.
• Naming the Energies: Take a moment to write down, on a piece of paper, the dominant "energies" you are feeling in your body right now. Are they sadness, longing, anger, peace, love, frustration? Next to each, write down a corresponding "divine" quality that you wish to cultivate: compassion, acceptance, forgiveness, serenity, gratitude, wisdom. You can keep this list as a reminder.
• Tzedakah (Acts of Loving-Kindness): Consider a small act of tzedakah that aligns with the memory of the person you are remembering. This could be a monetary donation to a cause they cared about, a kind word to a stranger, or an offering of help to someone in need. This practice transforms the energy of remembrance into active goodness in the world, embodying the "garments" of the divine soul in action.

Community

Sharing the Inner Landscape: A Gentle Circle of Witnessing

The wisdom we explore today speaks of an inner world, a sacred struggle and a profound capacity for connection. While much of this journey is deeply personal, there is immense strength and solace to be found in acknowledging our shared humanity and the universality of these inner dynamics.

Option 1: Shared Reflection (In Person or Virtual) If you are part of a group or a close-knit community, consider dedicating a few minutes to a shared, gentle reflection. You might invite each person to share, if they feel comfortable, just one word that describes their current inner experience, or one quality of the divine soul they wish to cultivate in this moment. The power here is in the simple act of witnessing without commentary or advice. Simply hearing another’s word can create a sense of recognition and alleviate feelings of isolation. The guide can offer a brief opening and closing, framing the sharing as an act of solidarity in our shared human journey.

Option 2: A Message of Support If direct sharing feels too vulnerable at this time, you can extend a gesture of support to someone else in your life who might be navigating their own inner landscape. This could be a simple text message, a brief email, or a handwritten note that acknowledges the complexity of life and offers a sense of solidarity. You might write something like: "Thinking of you and holding space for all that you carry. May you find moments of peace and strength within." This act of reaching out, even without explicit mention of this particular text, honors the principle of connection and the awareness that we are all navigating our own inner worlds.

Option 3: Acknowledging the Unseen Support If you are practicing alone, you can hold in your awareness the countless others who are engaging with similar practices around the world. Imagine a vast, invisible network of hearts and minds contemplating these same themes of grief, remembrance, and the search for meaning. This can foster a sense of global community and shared purpose, reminding us that while our individual journeys are unique, our fundamental human needs for connection and understanding are universal. You might simply pause and offer a silent blessing for all those who are remembering and seeking light.

The key in all these options is to approach community with gentleness, respect for individual boundaries, and a deep acknowledgment of the sacredness of each person's inner journey. We are not seeking to "fix" or "solve" for one another, but to offer the profound gift of shared presence and recognition.

Takeaway

The wisdom from Tanya invites us into a profound understanding of our inner lives as a dynamic interplay of energies. The "war" between the animal and divine souls is not a sign of inherent brokenness, but a testament to our capacity for growth and transformation. The takeaway is not about eradicating our earthly desires or passions, but about consciously inviting the light of our divine soul to illuminate and guide them.

As you move through your day, remember that within your heart, within your very being, resides the potential for fervent love, for deep understanding, and for a connection that transcends earthly limitations. The memories you hold, the love you carry, and even the pain you experience can be seen not as impediments, but as fertile ground for the divine spark to shine. By consciously choosing to engage with your thoughts, words, and actions from this inner wellspring of wisdom, you are not denying your grief or your earthly nature, but rather embracing a more integrated and meaningful existence. May you find peace in this understanding and strength in your capacity to choose the light.