Lessons in Tanya – New beginnings: A blog about spirituality, chaplaincy and renewal

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 84

Beginning of Chapter 44. This chapter returns to Love of Gd, working with the two level of love we outlined in the previous chapter. Here was see that lower love of Gd is manifest in fulfilling the Torah and its commandments while love is the yearning of the soul to be connected with the divine. He introduces a third approach, one which combines both the lower and upper levels of love. This is the desire of closeness that we have when recognizing the duality of physical and spiritual realms “existing” together. This section also reflects on “fake it till you make it.” Even if you aren’t really feeling the connection to Gd, strive towards it at all times.

Episode 84

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Do you want to work on taking the actions of your life and find meaning in all you do and who you are? Are you struggling with your spiritual growth. Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 83

Conclusion of chapter 43. We conclude this chapter with a short piece on how the fear/awe and love are levels and building blocks for spiritual growth. The Alter Rebbe suggested in this part that usually the pattern is lower fear, lower love, upper fear and upper love. However, there are times when the lower level love takes precedence over fear. We discuss how and when this would be.

Episode 83

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 82

Beginning of Chapter 43. We continue to focus on the notion of fear/awe of Gd. This section goes deeper into the distinction between “lower” fear and “upper” fear. Additionally, once we suggest that fear/awe are experienced in two different modalities, he circles back to love of Gd, suggesting a similar dichotomy between this worldly love (Ahavat Olam) and “great” love (Ahavah Rabba). We also discuss how these categories are part of a continuum as it relates to our spiritual growth.

Episode 82

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 81

Conclusion of Chapter 42. We conclude the discussion about awe of Gd with two final points. First, part of being in awe of Gd is to observe the world and universe and to see the grandeur and beauty of existence. Second, we practice being contrite and in awe thrice daily when we bow during our prayers. This action is a physical reminder of our role as servants before a master.

Episode 81

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 80

Continuation of Chapter 42. We continue to explore how to focus our minds on bringing about awe of Gd. This piece focuses on Gd as the all Knowing, seeing and hearing.

Episode 80

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 79

Part one of chapter 42. We continue to explore the notion of awe/fear as it relates to spirituality and worship of Gd. We discuss the idea of awe being something that is also inherent in our hearts if we work to reveal it. At a minimum, feeling awe of the divine can come from avoiding those things that are deemed “sin” so as to raise up a sense of humility in the face of the All-Knowing Gd. We can also come to awe through reflection and contemplation.

Episode 79

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Spiritual Honesty

I recently came across a powerful comment from Lessons in Tanya that I believe is important to reflect upon:

Now, we are constantly taught that one should be wary of spiritual intentions which outstrip one’s current spiritual pace; spirituality must be earned in an environment of honesty.
Lessons in Tanya, Vol. 2 p. 616

Spiritual growth, like all other areas of life, requires goals. Who do we want to be? How do we get there? What path should we take? We have desires for being different, more connected to the divine, to Gd, to our inner self. Yet, growth is a not a 0-60 in 3 seconds endeavor. It is a steady, daily process of taking step after step, rising slightly more each and every day. The above is a reminder that while we have desires to be an ideal self, we must strive towards it, not force it forward, for speeding things up is fraught with dangers of falling hard and fast.

Today, take the first step towards your goal. Don’t rush, don’t let the desire for growth push you towards taking shortcuts. Move forward step by step, day by day and you will find true Spiritual Honesty.

Are you or someone you know struggling to maintain one’s spiritual growth? Are you looking for strategies to stay along a path and jump too far forward? Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 78

Completion on Chapter 41. We shift back to the topic of intentionality and spiritual growth. This section deals with how our actions and level of spirituality might not match where we wish we we were. We discuss taking steps to grow spiritually and connect to Gd, recognizing each small step is a gain in the journey of connecting the soul back to Gd, giving delight to the divine throughout the process.

Episode 78

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 77

Continuation of Chapter 41. We discuss the different notions of awe/fear. The Alter Rebbe suggests fear is expressed minimally through action or avoidance of sin. We continue to look at needing both love and fear of Gd. We discuss the importance of not just working on personal spiritual growth but also bringing the community forward through one’s personal growth.

Episode 77

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 76

Beginning of Chapter 41 – This chapter shifts our focus from love of Gd and the confluence of needing love and fear to carry the light of our actions back to the divine realms to a discussion of the importance of awe/fear. We look at the metaphor of relationship to Gd as master/servant vs. parent/child which comes from the notion of love of Gd. This section suggests that complete service to Gd must be within this combined focus of fear and love.

Episode 76

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