podcasts – Page 7 – New beginnings: A blog about spirituality, chaplaincy and renewal

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 17

Part two of chapter nine. The chapter continues with the theme of our mind and heart being vessels for the soul as a means of describing the internal struggle we face on a constant basis. This struggle is the battle of the animal soul vs. the divine soul. The mission is for the divine soul to overcome the animal soul by cultivating a deep, passionate love for Gd. We reflect on how the “evil inclination”, the yetzer hara, is a tool to help us overcome the animal soul.

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 16

episode 16

Part one of Chapter 9. This episode discusses the Alter Rebbe’s understanding of location of the animal and divine souls within the human being. We get a glimpse into how he understands action vs. thought as it pertains to the body/soul relationship. We see the importance of spirituality being a combination of intellect (contemplation) and emotion.

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 15

episode 15

This episode discusses some key ideas from chapter 8. The chapter continues along the discussion of whether actions take precedence over thought or vice versa through a continuation about consuming permitted and forbidden food. If I eat permitted food for the wrong reason or eat forbidden food for the sake of invigorating my spiritual self, what are the negative results. Additionally, this chapter discusses idle speech, neglecting Torah study and the effect of other intellectual pursuits as it relates to spiritual growth.

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 14

episode 14

Last part of Chapter 7. We discuss two situations, one in which regular penance, teshuva, will uplift the negative to positive and one in which the effects of teshuva will only bring about change in the spiritual realm post-death. I also briefly discuss how our mission is to plant the seeds and see what will grow and change from the seeds planted.

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 13

episode 13

Part 2 of chapter 7. We discuss what happens when we do the right action for the wrong reasons and how to overcome the taint to our soul as a result. This section deals with repentance out of love being the higher level that can remove the taints on our soul from doing forbidden actions and how we can relate to this concept through understanding different ways we ask for forgiveness.

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 10

Exploration of chapter 5. In chapter 5, we discuss a couple of different ideas as it relates to the uniqueness of Torah study. 1. Studying Torah has a reciprocal effect in our relationship with Gd. 2. Torah study is the “greatest” of the commandments. 3. A brief piece on studying Torah “for its own sake.” I then offer a short excursus on the distinctions between in depth study and cursory study as it relates to spiritual growth, repeating a few key concepts from one of last week’s recordings.

episode 10

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Audio – Lessons in Tanya 9

Continuing with chapter 4, we delve a bit deeper into the importance of searching and struggling in study as a means of connecting to Gd from our limited human capacity. I also share a short Hanukkah message about lighting one candle at a time as we add up from 1 the first night until 8 candles the last night of Hanukkah as a message about taking our spiritual work one step at a time.

episode 9

Audio – Lessons in Tanya Day 8

Today’s episode looks at the first parts of chapter 4, describing how our thoughts, speech and action all play a role in raising up our soul. This occurs through fulfilling the positive commandments and avoiding the transgression of the negative commandments. We also look at how speech and thought are two sides of the same coin, the immersion in learning Torah.

episode 8

Audio – Lessons in Tanya 6 and 7

Our next episodes reflect on chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 2 discusses the origins and understands of the word Nefesh (animation). Chapter three is a discourse on the sefirot, specifically Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (intellect) and Daat (understanding) and the beginnings of how contemplation can lead to awe and love of Gd.

Episode 6

Episode 7

Audio – Lessons in Tanya – Day four

Today’s episode looks at part 1 of chapter 1 in Likkutei Amarim Tanya. The focus is working through the notions of righteous, wicked and living in between as a Beinoni, an intermediate type of person, one who is living in a certain balance.

Lessons in Tanya Musings and reflections day four