|
Yishuv HaDa'at
Peace of Mind through Harmony with Inward Truth
Whenever we need something, we must seek it in the Torah. Had the Torah not mentioned the concept of yishuv hada'at (a calm mind), it would not be a necessary quality, and we would not be allowed to pursue it. One should not just sit and wonder about how to attain yishuv hada'at, but seek the words of Chazal (our Sages) in the gemara and midrash and their commentaries.
The gemara in Berachot 57b says that pleasant sounds, sights, and scents can calm one's mind. In Eruvin 51b, it says that three things disturb one's mental state: idolatry, evil spirits, and severe poverty. Most people don't appreciate the connections between these factors and yishuv hada'at. But we must rely on the gemara in order to understand about yishuv hada'at. If Chazal wrote this, it is the only method; however, we must delve into their words and not just take them simplistically.
There are two words here: yishuv (calmness) and da'at (loosely translated as "wisdom"), and one must attain both a degree of wisdom worthy of the term da'at as well as the ability to settle the wisdom. But a fool clearly cannot try to settle his da'at, because he has none.
Da'at in the Torah refers to attachment as it says, "veha'adam yada" (and Adam knew [Chavah]; Bereishit 4:1). Our da'at attaches us to Hashem (and our deepest essence, as we will see). But we cannot connect to Hashem without the appropriate means of connection, which is the Torah. The more Torah (da'at) one contains in his mind and heart, the more he is capable of attaining yishuv hada'at. An ignoramus has nothing in his mind to settle.
When Chazal said that pleasant sounds, sights, and scents can calm one's mind, that advice is predicated on one possessing da'at in the first place. Likewise, when they said (Berachot 57b) that a nice home, a pleasant wife, and beautiful furniture expand one's mind, they refer to a person that already has da'at, for we see that many people with these blessings do not have expansive minds.
Torah is the basis of everything. Without Torah, there can never be a calm mind. I guarantee that without Torah, all the seminars will not help! I must speak about this because it pains me. No seminar can succeed if not based on the words of our Sages! And the people must be committed to Torah study and observance if they are to succeed at all in personal growth.
We have the holy Torah, and that is the source of our yishuv hada'at. Without it, we will fail, as others do. Everyone has difficulties in life, and many people go to seminars to learn how cope with their troubles and find peace. But, to borrow the words of the Kuzari, "their intentions are worthy, yet their deeds are unworthy." They cannot suffice with methods for calmness unless they attain the da'at that can be calmed.
Moshe Rabbeinu was the embodiment of da'at, and he accepted the Torah with all of its minutiae. We, too, can only have da'at if we are actively committed to every detail of the Torah.
Yishuv Hada'at refers to a connection between one's outer level of consciousness and the deeper levels within. One's outer perspective must be in harmony with the inner truth. If they are not in agreement, it will be impossible to delve within the self. It will be like trying to fit one container inside another one that has a different shape.
Everyone has an inner truth. Many people sense it and want to connect to it. But to do so, their must be a corresponding outer "container." We will not succeed if we try to connect to our inner essence while remaining, dressing, and acting outwardly as we please. That would be like a marriage of incompatible spouses. We must first act outwardly in a way compatible with the inner level, and then, seek to connect to it through the means prescribed by our rabbis.
Many of you must have anticipated practical suggestions for attaining yishuv hada'at. But before that, there is preparatory work. To rush into yishuv hada'at would be like a twelve year-old trying to attend a seminar about marriage. He's not yet at that point in his life.
You expect to be able to come and hear practical suggestions for attaining yishuv hada'at, but many of you are not ready. There should first be a seminar preparing one to be worthy to attain the later seminar on yishuv hada'at!
Many people are interested in inwardness, but they do not understand that they must connect the outer state with the inner one. Da'at is the bond between the outer and the inner levels. As important as an inward search is, it is essential to wed the outer with the inner; only then is there da'at. This is like the beams of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), which needed to correspond with each other in order to be connected. We must be honest and genuine with ourselves.
The first step is to learn the halachot (laws) and observe them! You are seeking to enter inward. The true way to enter is through "the gateway to Hashem, entered by tzaddikim" (Tehillim 118:20). The gateway is the fear of Hashem, which demands adherence to the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), paragraph after paragraph. Otherwise, not one word of what will be said here about yishuv hada'at will have any truth. Its value would be like that of a course in investment taken by an individual who has no money to invest. He is learning about investing millions, but he can't even cover a 200-shekel check!
When one enters inward without the proper preparation, and he experiences something, he is liable to get pulled further and further in that direction. He will no longer be involved in a Jewish endeavor, but in something from India. Woe to one who never goes past the gateway, but woe to one who ignores the gateway! There is a fence blocking the other ways, and worse, it is like an electric fence. The result will be fatal.
Remember that a Jew got up here once and said that all advice will fail if you do not follow the halachot. My final advice to you for yishuv hada'at is to learn two halachot each day, and follow what you have learned.
|
