It's worth taking a look at the entire concept of חשבון הנפש, usually understood to mean a self-reckoning. The word חשבון is understood to be an accounting. The idea of חשבון הנפש then is to add up all the deeds one has or hasn't done, and what he aspires to do, and then ask for Divine assistance to accomplish the goals. However, the word חשבון can also be understood to be rooted in מחשבה, thought. The concept of חשבון הנפש would then be to the soul thinking in connection with its Creator.
Rebbe Nachman says that a broken heart and being down are not synonymous. Being down and frustrated is the work of one's ego. A broken heart, by contrast, is very precious to Hashem. Being down and angry that things aren't going your way, that is the ego taking control. A broken heart comes from a realization of distance and not wanting to feel distant. It is worth spending a small amount of time each day contemplating your distance from Hashem, but the rest of the day you should be joyful.
Rebbe Nachman says that a broken heart and being down are not synonymous. Being down and frustrated is the work of one's ego. A broken heart, by contrast, is very precious to Hashem. Being down and angry that things aren't going your way, that is the ego taking control. A broken heart comes from a realization of distance and not wanting to feel distant. It is worth spending a small amount of time each day contemplating your distance from Hashem, but the rest of the day you should be joyful.
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