Tuesday, December 11, 2012

A Heart to Know and Ears to Hear: 1

When a person engages in Hisbodidus he enters into a shining spiritual existence akin to רוח הקודש, Divine Spirit. At this time he is being spoken to, and he should listen with the ears of his heart.

This is true anytime that a person finds himself at a time of favor from Hashem, when he can easily praise Hashem and make requests. It is a time of purity for a person when he can absorb things. The windows of his soul can open to hear what the Universe is saying to him. It is telling him the word of Hashem. People have always gathered on holidays to spend hours together soaking in the purity and holiness of what the times have to tell them.

It is important to understand that in these situations there are different levels of hearing.

A person may come to a sage for advice. Some people come only to make themselves heard. They are oblivious to what is being said back to them. Others come to listen, but they have already decided before they arrive what it is that they will be willing to listen to. They mix themselves into the words of the sage in order that they ensure that they are told what it is that they desire to hear. They, too, are not really prepared to hear what is being said to them. It is often clear that the sage wishes to transmit a particular message and the the person refuses to accept it.

One who truly hears isn't coming to press his own agenda or to choose what will be said to him. He comes simply to listen. He comes to take advantage of an opportunity to receive direction, whatever it is. To listen to it and to act upon it.

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