Sometimes a person feels hurt and bitter. His words run, seemingly by themselves, to Hashem and he pours out his situation with no introduction and no preparation. After all, where else will he turn when he feels constricted and confused if not to his Father in Heaven?
This is like a child who comes running in to his father with screams and cries about something that happened to him. This is not a time for a calm and reasoned conversation. Rather, the father listens to the cries and does what he can to soothe the child. After the child has unburdened himself, then he is back to his previous state and calm.
It is the same with this sort of prayer. When a person unloads his Neshama and pours out his bitterness with no thought given to exactly how to say things, this is when Hashem responds, "You're in pain, shout at me!" Subsequently a person can return to his previous relationship with Hashem.
But Rebbe Nachman taught that you needn't wait until you find yourself in dire straits, rather, a person should pour his feelings out to Hashem every single day. This will require some preparation. At first you may feel like you are standing outside, tongue-tied and unsure how to enter or what to say. Then you will find yourself in the doorway, your heart still feeling closed but you are slowly getting comfortable. Step-by-step until you feel connected to Hashem. All along you are gearing up your heart to respond to the call of Hashem. Hearing His call you realize your self-worth and build yourself up until you feel comfortable engaging in self-expression. Then you can connect to Hashem in the way you feel comfortable and in a timely manner.
When a person manages to create a proper relationship he will ask Hashem to direct him to truly serve Him, and he will find within himself the ability and desire to love, have awe, emulate, do the will, and fully serve Hashem.
This is like a child who comes running in to his father with screams and cries about something that happened to him. This is not a time for a calm and reasoned conversation. Rather, the father listens to the cries and does what he can to soothe the child. After the child has unburdened himself, then he is back to his previous state and calm.
It is the same with this sort of prayer. When a person unloads his Neshama and pours out his bitterness with no thought given to exactly how to say things, this is when Hashem responds, "You're in pain, shout at me!" Subsequently a person can return to his previous relationship with Hashem.
But Rebbe Nachman taught that you needn't wait until you find yourself in dire straits, rather, a person should pour his feelings out to Hashem every single day. This will require some preparation. At first you may feel like you are standing outside, tongue-tied and unsure how to enter or what to say. Then you will find yourself in the doorway, your heart still feeling closed but you are slowly getting comfortable. Step-by-step until you feel connected to Hashem. All along you are gearing up your heart to respond to the call of Hashem. Hearing His call you realize your self-worth and build yourself up until you feel comfortable engaging in self-expression. Then you can connect to Hashem in the way you feel comfortable and in a timely manner.
When a person manages to create a proper relationship he will ask Hashem to direct him to truly serve Him, and he will find within himself the ability and desire to love, have awe, emulate, do the will, and fully serve Hashem.
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