The Potency Of Thought

MyLife Essay Contest

Learning Chassidus can be very intimidating. One could view Chassidus as a foreign language, a foreign way of thinking. What does Chassidus have to do with my everyday struggles? One can think that only the privileged few Holy Saints — disengaged from the world — can actually master the concepts in Chassidus such as the mind ruling the heart or the delay of pleasure. One could think that this mastery of Chassidus is relegated only to the fortunate few who have the ability to rigorously control their physical appetite while at the same time cleaving to Spirituality. I claim that this is a false narrative. Hashem (G-D) did not provide us with a Torah in order for us to be monks in a citadel somewhere in the desert. The Holy One Blessed Be He provided us with a guide map that even those steeped in the physical mire of this world can incorporate into their lives on a daily basis. This Roadmap is Chassidus and Chabad Chassidus in particular. Chabad Chassidus presents a dynamic world view that each person has the ability to attain the level of a Benoni, an individual who keeps his evil urge in check so it cannot permeate his soul garments — thought , speech and action. (Lessons in Tanya Volume 1 pg. 189.) These garments clothe the soul providing it with the means to perform Torah and Mitzvos. (Lessons in Tanya Volume1 page 79.)

I speak of the ability taught to us and exemplified by our holy teachers that “thinking is potent”. (Likutei Dibburim volume 1 page 1.) I refer to the story at the beginning of Likutei Dibburim where the Rebbe goes on to explain that thought has no limitation and no boundaries to limit its power. One member of the chassidic brotherhood questioned how thought can actually physically benefit another soul. The Rebbe then asked him where he was last year. The previous year this Chassid had been a resident of the Soviet Union — striving to be free. Now he found himself in Riga, in the company of the Holy Rebbe; his spiritual teacher and guide endowed with divine inspiration. Through his own positive thoughts and wishes for this chassid’s freedom, the Rebbe had transformed the physical reality of this chassid to the extent that he no longer lived under Soviet oppression, and had the ability to fully serve G-d without fear of tyranny.

We possess three different kinds of garments: thought, speech and action (Lessons in Tanya Volume 1 pg.189). The Rebbe explains further in Likkutei Dibburim that there exist two varieties of the garments of thought, which is the initial garments of the soul. The first is the evil garment — Heaven forefend — which consist of evil thoughts which “not only diminish the divine image in man but undermine and even (G-d forbid) destroy one’s health.” (Likutei Dibburim Volume 1 page 2) The second variety is the good garment. According to the Rebbe this refers to the garments of the soul which bring about good. As the Rebbe describes: “These are thoughts of Torah, and of divine service — meditation in prayer. In regard to Torah thoughts, this does not mean merely thinking about Torah thoughts; this does not mean merely thinking about Torah subjects, but the kind of profound contemplation that arouses one to practical action.” (Likutei Dibburim Volume 1 page 2).

I propose that we can incorporate into our everyday life the incredible power of the fact that “thinking is potent”. I suggest a step-wise approach in tackling a problem by using thought to first frame our problem. We can then create within our minds scenarios where we see ourselves conquering our fears, tackling our everyday challenges. I will provide a very concrete example; In October 2013 my son was accepted at Yeshivah Gedolah in Melbourne, Australia. He applied for a student visa. He has been battling asthma since he was seven — thank Hashem he is healthy and now his asthma is under control after great care by a very dedicated Pulmonologist. When he completed his Visa form he added that he has asthma. He was not granted a Visa by the Australian Government. They claimed that since he has asthma he must endure a five hundred dollar medical exam by a group of Doctors contracted out to the consulate who would poke and prod him to ensure that he would not be a burden to the Australian healthcare system. I had just graduated as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. In addition I had been a RN with twenty years of ICU and ED experience.

I challenged their notion. Why would I send a child who is medically unstable clear across the world? After calling all my Congressmen and Senators as well as the consulate in Los Angles and Montreal, I decided to call the Prime minister of Australia. A Physical being according to nature has to bend to G-dliness. I had no doubt that the Prime Minister of Australia would bend for me. When I called his office I saw him in my mind’s eye “putting on his pants one leg at a time.” I was connected with one executive secretary who informed me that all requests need to be in writing. I decided that our salvation would come from a different source. I then called the Minister of Immigration. I was able to speak to a very nice woman by the name of Amy who really listened to my predicament. She informed me that she would speak to Visa Services and reach us by email with their answer. When I hung up I pictured Mendy’s Passport number. I informed Mendy that he needs to begin packing because he was going to Australia. We then made a choo-choo train to Australia calling out ” We are going to Australia Choo- Choo”. When I woke up the following morning Mendy read me the return email from the Consulate with his assigned Visa number. The consulate from Montreal then called me later the morning to ask if there was anything more which they could do to help.

Thinking is potent. To conquer an everyday problem:

1. Distill out the problem into the simplest fragments.
2. Meditate for ten minutes how you will look and feel when you have conquered your obstacle — actually picturing in your mind images of crossing a goal line, paying a bill, getting a job. What are you wearing? What does your skin feel like?
3. Then distill out the practical way to reach your goal with very small concrete steps. For example – I will go to the gym for a half hour three times per week. What are you wearing at the gym what does the sweat feel like on your neck?

Another area of practical application is our healthcare system. By definition when one enters the hospital for whatever reason one becomes dehumanized. One is assigned a number, he or she has her clothes taken away and instead is given a hospital gown. One is told when to eat, when to sleep, when to take a bath or shower, even when to go to the bathroom. All identifiable characteristics which add up to a description of self are systematically eliminated. Is there any reason for a patient to feel inspired about getting well or complying with a medication regimen? Essentially disempowered, one can lose hope in one’s present and future. Chabad Chassidus bursts through the barricade of disempowerment. We are taught that just with our thought we can change our physical reality as well as the reality of our loved ones.

I propose that healthcare providers not only prescribe medication which can dictate the function of an organ but provide a prescription for thought. Each patient should be given specific meditations where he actually envisions himself well and functional. These meditative practices can be incorporated into the actual plan of care. Take your Lisinopril but envision in your mind your arterial bed relaxing and your blood pressure dropping. With simple everyday meditation we can empower patients to be invested in their own wellness. In addition, we need to celebrate each milestone which someone reaches in their recovery to wellness. Mr. Smith may not have a strong heart but as an MD. Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner I have the power to strengthen his most dynamic organ – his brain, his contemplative ability.

In conclusion, we have the ability to create our own destinies with the direct supervision of Hashem and the powerful of the fact that “thinking is potent”.

Chabad Chassidus differs from other forms of Chassidic thought which stem from the power of connection to a Rebbe. Among other Chasidic groups by eating sherayim or the leftovers of a Rebbe’s tish (meal) one can be endowed with extra internal strength in the service of G-d. I don’t disparage this avoda – it works for many holy Jews. Chabad differs by clearly acknowledging the hidden power found in each and every one of us. The value of individual service of G-d. We can reach a profound intimate relationship with G-d through our own personal self-work. The Alter Rebbe clearly says that each person has the power to be a benoni — an individual who can control his three soul garments: thought, speech, and action thereby refraining from sin. We have the prowess within our soul to reach levels of self-actualization, relating to both our relationship with G-d and our relationships with each other, through harnessing our thought. Through our thought we will create a palpable G-dly reality.