I used to be a big believer in the mind. After all my mind was feeding me lots of grand ideas about itself. The mind, I taught, is all powerful; No matter how hard a time you are having you can control your mind, and if you have the proper frame of mind you be fine, happy and in control if yourself. After all it's your mind and you can use it as you wish.
Well, as my life moves on, I am beginning to have some doubts. No, don’t get me wrong, I still believe in the mind; the words of the Tanya that the mind is in complete control of the heart still resonate with me. However, I am beginning to feel that the mind must open the door to the heart and settle in their.
I can tell myself all day long that there is a reason for everything and I should be happy, yet it won't have any affect on me unless my heart buys into it. The mind will always remain skeptical at some level, the heart does not.
The mind is a great tool to unlock the heart; but to be in love, despite great distractions, with G-d, Torah, Chasidus, the Chasidic lifestyle, is completely in the hands of the heart.
Perhaps that is why, lately, my favorite and most meaningful prayer is "unite our heart to love and fear your name". I ask Hashem, help me. I'll get my mind involved, but please, give me a hand with my heart; "purify our hearts to serve you in truth".
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