Emuna Therapy

Psych Yourself Up

 

 

By Dr. Zev Ballen                                                      Image credit: GlacierTim

Is is possible to be happy all the time in every situation? Yes it is - but it is the most challenging goal in Judaism without without resorting to some extreme behaviors to psych ourselves up and get the joy into our physical selves. We need to combine speaking with Hashem with activities like fast walking, jogging, dancing, speaking loudly, singing, clapping, and jumping up and down. If you decide to do this, be prepared to not care about the opinions of some religious authorities that say this is not appropriate behavior. Just do it! We need simple non-intellectual methods to get ourselves into peak states of faith and certainty. From certainty flows the power of real joy.Its just like King David said: Nasata simcha b'lebe. We must actively bring the joy into our hearts!

Wishing you huge Blessings,

Dr. Zev Ballen

Live Broadcast: Living With Passion

 

By Dr. Zev Ballen                                                            Image credit: CarlosBravo

With Hashem's Loving Kindness, we will be broadcasting live today, Wednesday at 5:00pm Israel time from the Chut Shel Chesed Yeshiva, 13 Shmuel Hanavi Street, Jerusalem in the main Sanctuary.  Everyone is welcome, both men and women.

This week's lesson is entitled, "Living With Passion" as always, it is open to the public - both men and women are welcome.

 You can see it right here. The broadcast, as well as our lessons posted from now on - are Mac and iPod compatible. If you tune in too early to the live broadcast link, you'll be sent to the main page of the Breslev Israel website, so try to tune in on time as follows:

10:AM in NY, 7:00 AM in LA and the West Coast, 8:00 AM Denver, 9:00 AM in Mexico and Central Daylight, 3:00 PM in the UK, and 5:00 PM Israel time. If you are not able to watch the lesson live, we will, G-d willing be posting a link to it soon. If you can't see the broadcast, you might need to download a new version of Flash Media player which you can do here. We hope you enjoy the broadcast.

Wishing You Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking Outside The Box

 

By Dr. Zev Ballen                                                                         Image credit: anji one

Hashem is speaking to each one of us through everything that we perceive in the world and everything that flows within us. If 1000 of us were standing before the same event, there would be 1000 different tailor-made messages in the event for each of us. By attending to Hashem's messages in the constant stream of life we are able to "think outside the box" of our mental limitations, remain happy and receive Divine Illumination. 

The Mystical You

By Dr. Zev Ballen

There is a part of your brain that is beyond time and space - it's called your Neshoma or Divine Soul. How can you access and use your Neshoma in your everyday life? This training-video will get you started.

 

Ask Dr. Zev

By Dr. Zev Ballen

I confess that it was me who planned this lesson, but it was not me who delivered it - Hashem spoke through me and I hardly remember what I said. I couldn't do this again if I tried.

I am forever grateful to Hashem for the seminal teachings of my beloved Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Arush. Based on Rabbi Arush's teachings, even a simple person can transcend his natural abilities by millions of light years. Now it's my gift to you - all I ask is that you share this with your friends.

 

Peak Performers

 

By Dr. Zev Ballen

Lately I've been feeling totally over-programmed like a human computer with too little RAM to accomplish what it needs to do. There seem to be more chores in my schedule than there are hours in a day to get them done.
 
My 'logical' mind tells me that I am either falling behind because there is something wrong with me or because my workload is objectively too large.
 
Not having nursed on the Garden of Emuna as a child my 'natural inclination,' during times of stress, is to compare myself to other people.
 
Like who? 
 
I usually 'like' to compare myself with some idealized superman figure such as Rebbe Noson of Breslev, the main student of Rebbe

Nachman of Breslev.  How was it, I ask myself, that Reb Noson was able to make every second of the day count and he accomplished so much in his lifetime?  How was it that He got up at midnight; that he learned the whole Torah in depth and reviewed it many times; that he wrote volumes of original ideas on Rebbe Nachman's Torahs and volumes of letters to his son; that he was an adviser to many; that he had regular lengthy meetings with Rebbe Nachman; that he prayed for long periods; and that he still had the time and patience to be present when his children returned from school; to sit with them; speak with them; eat with them; pray with them and put them to sleep?
 
The evil inclination is happy with me comparing myself to Rebbe Noson. If I fall into this trap, it is certain to decrease my joy and leave me feeling frustrated and inadequate.  As I strain to  overcome inertia and not fall further behind schedule I become more and more alienated from my family, from myself and from Hashem. 
 
Not good.
 
I grew up thinking that multi-tasking was the only way to go. Boy was I wrong. Not even a computer can multi-task. Only Hashem can multi-task without developing stress-related symptoms.  I confess to you that  life does not go well for me when I try to be Hashem. 
 
Hashem gives us a world of 'freedom' and over-choice to force us to realize our limitations and humbly accept His Will to do one task at a time.  Just try to keep up with every friend, relative and teacher you ever had on facebook - see how long that will last. Good luck being there for your kids and household while your friends from first grade keep calling to you from the other room. It is Crazy! 
 
NO. When I am stressed out, it's a clear sign that I am too involved with myself. My stress can come from thinking that I do not have enough money, honor or pleasure in my life and that if I run short on any of these I will not survive.  My stress can also come from the even more ridiculous game of looking for approval from my evil inclination who is telling me that I'm inadequate and so I am compelled to show him that I am not.
 
All this is so exhausting. It makes you want to sleep.
 
Aye, but Reb Noson hardly slept at all? 
 
Well the chances are good that you and I could also do with less sleep if we retired from fighting with our evil inclinations. Reb Noson simply planned his work and worked his plan in the best way he could and left the rest to Hashem. He made himself deaf to the whispering doubts that attack us all day long. If we would do the same, we would get the same results that he did. That is a promise from Rebbe Nachman himself! 
 
Reb Noson also spared himself the stress of comparing himself to other people. What possible connection could there be between my purpose in life and another person's purpose in life? I do my best when I expect the best. The more I look for the good, the more I find it. The more I believe  I can make Hashem 'happy' the more He shows me that I can. 
 
Tzaddikim have one speed and that's forward - they don't look back. He wakes up in the morning unburdened with yesterday's packages on his shoulders. He likewise has no worries about tomorrow.  He simply prays before acting and thanks Hashem for everything that comes his way. He is flexible and light on his feet because Hashem has freed him from the burden of 'self.'  Hashem sends protection, strength and productivity to those who serve Him and not themselves.  
 
There are no rules for a spiritual peak performer. He has discarded logic and abstains from correlations. He is free from performance anxiety because he will be very satisfied with whatever he is able to achieve. He does not worry about finishing on time or being criticized because he is completely confident that Hashem will help him to do his best.  
 
So practically speaking, is there at least one bit of advice that I can use to 'perform' better when I feel over-programmed? I asked myself this question recently and I remembered what a good friend of mine told me works wonders for him. I tried it on myself and it works like a charm. Continue reading here...

Wishing You Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen
 

Live Broadcast Today

With Hashem's Loving Kindness, we will be broadcasting live today, Wednesday at 5:00pm Israel time from the Chut Shel Chessed Yeshiva, 13 Shmuel Hanavi Street, Jerusalem. Today's lesson is called Empowerment, You can see it right here. The broadcast, as well as our lessons posted from now on - are Mac and iPod compatible. If you tune in too early to the live broadcast link, you'll be sent to the main page of the Breslev Israel website, so try to tune in on time as follows:

10:AM in NY, 7:00 AM in LA and the West Coast, 8:00 AM Denver, 9:00 AM in Mexico and Central Daylight, 3:00 PM in the UK, and 5:00 PM Israel time. If you are not able to watch the lesson live, we will, G-d willing be posting a link to it soon. If you can't see the broadcast, you might need to download a new version of Flash Media player which you can do here. We hope you enjoy the broadcast.

Wishing You Blessings Always,

Dr. Zev Ballen

 

 

Relax Instantly

A calm mind is the prerequisite for Divine inspiration and assistance.

During one of our parenting classes, I mentioned that physical relaxation is actually  the experience of Hashem entering a person's system and settling within him.  This is understandable because Hashem will always come close to a person who lets Him in. 

The physical world is just a reflection of the upper spiritual worlds. What happens when you open an air-tight bottle? Air rushes in to fill the vacume. 

It works the same way spiritually.

The next time you feel stressed out, just sigh deeply and say with sincerity: Hashem: 'I'm ready to recieve You':

Hashem's Light instantly fills your body. He settles in every part of you: your nerves...your bones...your muscles.

Hashem's Light enters every cell of your mind and body. You are whole again...Your consciousness is expanded...You can answer any question and deal with any situation.

With gratitude to Hashem and Rivka White for the inspirational poster. 

Wishing You Peace,

Dr Zev Ballen

Making the Right Choices

Philosophers  are expert at identifying problems; unfortunately they're very short on answers: They say that man is in  'existential crisis' due to the problem of 'freedom' and 'over-choice,' but they can't even help themselves! If they would only watch this, they would see the simple solution. 

- Dr. Zev Ballen