{"id":1080789,"date":"2021-01-19T19:08:15","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T16:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/%d7%9c%d7%9c%d7%90-%d7%a7%d7%98%d7%92%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%94\/mindfulness-part-2\/"},"modified":"2024-07-09T10:11:13","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T07:11:13","slug":"mindfulness-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/1080789\/","title":{"rendered":"Mindfulness – Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Rebbe Nachman discusses a<\/span><\/span>nother piece of advice\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>can help\u00a0<\/span><\/span>us<\/span><\/span>\u00a0achieve mindfulness and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>composure<\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>B<\/span><\/span>reathing<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Rebbe Nachman discusses that the nose is an aspect of emuna, and many doctors and health practitioners discuss the importance of breathing in through the nose, as opposed to the mouth. It could therefore be extrapolated that breathing in deeply and slowly through the nose actually connects us to emuna!\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Moreover, deep breathing is connected to replenishing the \u201coils in the mind\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>which is necessary for physical and spiritual health.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Rabbi Arush once screamed out in a class: \u201cYou are not breathing properly!\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Specifically, the point is b<\/span><\/span>reathing with the intention of getting to know our Creator, thanking Him for each breath, and giving ourselves the quiet to hear ourselves, to try to hear our own\u00a0<\/span><\/span>inner<\/span><\/span>\u00a0voice.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Some might be surprised by the power<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of it<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and its positive effect on our emoti<\/span><\/span>onal<\/span><\/span>\u00a0as well as spiritual state, but\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I have personally found, as well as friends whom I have learned<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the subject<\/span><\/span>\u00a0with, that just a few minutes a day of quiet breathing meditation really makes a difference<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span>\u00a0our emotional and spiritual state<\/span><\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

A special\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Breslov<\/span><\/span>\u00a0rabbi and teacher here in Israel, Rabbi Yisrael\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Yitchak<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Bezenson<\/span><\/span>, may he be healthy and well, published a short booklet\u00a0<\/span><\/span>two<\/span><\/span>\u00a0years ago called\u00a0<\/span><\/span>N<\/span><\/span>eshama<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Nishima<\/span><\/span>–\u00a0<\/span><\/span>literally\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>Soul Breathing.<\/span><\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I bought a copy in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Uman<\/span><\/span>\u00a0not really knowing what it was about, and began learning it with a friend.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In this short book, he explains the spiritual\u00a0<\/span><\/span>aspects of breathing<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and how they are brought to light in the Chassidic teachings, specifically in Rebbe\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Nachman\u2019s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0teachings.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

In the book, h<\/span><\/span>e explains that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>what prevents\u00a0<\/span><\/span>us<\/span><\/span>\u00a0from actualizing the talents and abilities<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>we have been<\/span><\/span>\u00a0blessed with is simply a lack of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>self-knowledge<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Most people do not truly know how special they are.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>We are foreigners to ourselves because we\u00a0<\/span><\/span>do not<\/span><\/span>\u00a0know our essence, our\u00a0<\/span><\/span>souls;<\/span><\/span>\u00a0we only know the external clothing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>(<\/span><\/span>so to speak<\/span><\/span>)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0we are dressed in.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Hashem g<\/span><\/span>ives<\/span><\/span>\u00a0us life from the<\/span><\/span>\u00a0very<\/span><\/span>\u00a0first breath we take\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in this world<\/span><\/span>, however immediately after we are born<\/span><\/span>\u00a0our souls\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span>\u00a0swallowed up<\/span><\/span>\u00a0(in most cases)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0by our physical strengths and desires<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

What becomes the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>force that rules over us<\/span><\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Our<\/span><\/span>\u00a0external self,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>which<\/span><\/span>\u00a0is<\/span><\/span>\u00a0turned outwards to the outside world.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Our external self is how we learn to act and survive in a competitive world in order to find favor with others, whether for personal goals or for friendships.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>These external forces rule over us so much so that we identify them as \u2018us<\/span><\/span>.\u2019<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>We think \u201cThis\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span>\u00a0who I am and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>it is<\/span><\/span>\u00a0impossible to change<\/span><\/span>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>However, deep inside, our Godly soul is buried and hidden.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>How do we reveal our true self, the beautiful soul that God brought into the world?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Rav\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Bezenson<\/span><\/span>\u00a0teaches that a person who begins to practice deep breathing, just in a simple way, without complicated techniques, will quickly begin to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>see how<\/span><\/span>\u00a0their soul<\/span><\/span>\u00a0begins to reveal itself<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Our soul screams from within, \u201cL<\/span><\/span>isten, it is me!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Your true self!<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>We begin to recognize our tr<\/span><\/span>ue essence.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>We begin to hear our own voice.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>This is the beginning<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of actualizing our true selves:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0S<\/span><\/span>eparating ourselves from our external perspective, the external self which society dictated to us<\/span><\/span>\u00a0(pages 25-26)<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Not only d<\/span><\/span>o<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to we begin to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>hear\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the voice and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0discover<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the light of our soul through deep breathing, Rebbe Nachman teaches that a person become<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0like a new creation! We<\/span><\/span>\u00a0can renew\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ourselves<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in the most<\/span><\/span>\u00a0powerful way!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>he book\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201cTz<\/span><\/span>addik<\/span><\/span>–\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The<\/span><\/span>\u00a0L<\/span><\/span>ife of Rebbe Nachman,<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>mentions\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>someone\u00a0<\/span><\/span>who wants to return to Hashem certainly needs to make themselves into a new creation.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>We need to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>know that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>just\u00a0<\/span><\/span>by taking a deep breath,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>we can<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 transform\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>ourselves<\/span><\/span>\u00a0into a new creation.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

We never stop<\/span><\/span>\u00a0breathing<\/span><\/span>;<\/span><\/span>\u00a0every moment\u00a0<\/span><\/span>we are<\/span><\/span>\u00a0inhaling air and exhaling,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>this is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>main source of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span><\/span>vitality.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>However, our breath has a spiritual source! T<\/span><\/span>here is a good source of bre<\/span><\/span>ath that is drawn down by the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>tz<\/span><\/span>addik<\/span><\/span>, and there is a negative source of breath that is brought down by a wicked person.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The\u00a0<\/span><\/span>tz<\/span><\/span>addik<\/span><\/span>\u00a0is constantly drawing down the vitality of breath from\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the side of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>holiness, and the wicked man is drawing his breaths from\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the side of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>impurity.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Therefore,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0when a person wants to return to Hashem<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0he needs to make sure that he disconnects himself from the negative source of breath of the wicked person.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Rebbe Nachman says that by taking a deep breath and sighing over\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our<\/span><\/span>\u00a0sins,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>we<\/span><\/span>\u00a0can disconnect\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ourselves<\/span><\/span>\u00a0from the source of impurity and connect\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our<\/span><\/span>selves to the source of holiness<\/span><\/span>. We<\/span><\/span>\u00a0then<\/span><\/span>\u00a0receive<\/span><\/span>\u00a0a new source of vitality, and even\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our<\/span><\/span>\u00a0body becomes renewed (T<\/span><\/span>z<\/span><\/span>addik, teaching 37)<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>We see from this teaching how powerful breathing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>can be, if<\/span><\/span>\u00a0we intend to connect to Hashem in a deeper way.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

How do<\/span><\/span>es<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the concept of breathing<\/span><\/span>\u00a0connect to mindfulness<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 meditation?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Firstly, when we\u00a0 take\u00a0 time to slow down and focus on our breathing, when we slow down to take some deep breaths, it helps us be<\/span><\/span>come<\/span><\/span>\u00a0calmer and allows us to observe our thoughts<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and feelings<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>We can observe them without judgement and ask ourselves questions.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>What do I feel right now and why?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>It is a gateway to our inner world.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In fact, in the midst of a stressful situation, just stopping to take 3 deep breaths has incredible power to help us respond to the situation appropriately with emuna, instead of getting caught up in a whirlwind of emotion and responding without properly considering how we should really deal with the situation.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

It is important to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>take time from the rush of the day\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to give<\/span><\/span>\u00a0ourselves the space to breath<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>be aware that Hashem is giving us this breath of life.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>We can thank Him for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>every<\/span><\/span>\u00a0breath.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I try to set aside time every day for breathing, usually 5 to 10 minutes per day before personal prayer.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I have found that allowing myself to take deep breaths and trying to release the stress of the day and connect to a deeper place inside, helps me be more co<\/span><\/span>nnected in personal prayer.<\/span><\/span> \u00a0 <\/span><\/span>M<\/span><\/span>any\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>times,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 it<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 also<\/span><\/span> helps me continue the rest of the day with a feeling of<\/span><\/span>\u00a0renewal and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0positivity.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

***<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Republished with permission from\u00a0<\/span><\/span>breslov.blog<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rebbe Nachman discusses another piece of advice\u00a0that\u00a0can help\u00a0us\u00a0achieve mindfulness and\u00a0composure:\u00a0Breathing.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Rebbe Nachman discusses that the nose is an aspect of emuna, and many doctors and health practitioners discuss the importance of breathing in through the nose, as opposed to the mouth. It could therefore be extrapolated that breathing in deeply and slowly through the … Continue reading “Mindfulness – Part 2”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61419,"featured_media":1080790,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15186],"tags":[87987,25071],"author_post":[83845],"new_serie":[86431],"class_list":["post-1080789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spiritual-growth","tag-mental-clarity-yishuv-hadaat","tag-neshama","author_post-moshe-neveloff","new_serie-mindfulness-according-to-rebbe-nachman"],"acf":{"intro_text":"

Just a few minutes a day of quiet breathing meditation really makes a difference to our emotional and spiritual state!<\/p>\n","special_content_in_the_post":"none","meta_title":"Mindfulness According to Rebbe Nachman's Teachings - Part 2","meta_description":"Just a few minutes a day of quiet breathing meditation really makes a difference to our emotional and spiritual state!","paragraph_first":"","paragraph_second":"","landing_form":false,"youtube":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1080789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61419"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1080789"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1080789\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1080790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1080789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1080789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1080789"},{"taxonomy":"author_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/author_post?post=1080789"},{"taxonomy":"new_serie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/new_serie?post=1080789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}