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Based on the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
…Despite all his power money and fame spent every moment waiting for you to call him so he could pick up.
This is what hitbodedut is all about
This seclusion is twofold. First of all one secludes themselves away from the rest of the world in order that they should feel comfortable enough to truly open their hearts to G-d without embarrassment or worry.
Secondly, one secludes themselves away from the set prayers of the liturgy, and even of the psalms, instead turning inward and speaking their own words entirely from the heart. Through this one can turn their full attention and desire to G-d in order to truly connect with Him.
Hitbodedut is the practice of secluding oneself away from others to have a personal conversation with G-d
“Secluding oneself away from others to have a personal conversation with godā
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Physically when one secludes themselves with Hashem, they are creating their own place ā a demarcation that in this space there is just me and G-d. Verbally, by using oneās own words to speak to G-d about whatever is in your heart, you are now making Him a part of everything you are going through. However for those who have tasted the sweetness that regular personal conversations with G-d can offer, they can truly soar. The Rebbe said about himself that the exalted levels of spirituality he reached were primarily through speaking to G-d and beseeching Him. As a child he spent years crying to G-d and conversing with Him using every type of argument he could to convince G-d to allow him to come close to Him [3].
“In this space there is just me and Godā
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However in truth, you canāt compare them because these two types of prayer serve completely different purposes. By praying the set liturgy we nullify ourselves to it and connect via the spiritual properties contained within it. No matter how much or little the liturgy speaks to us, the halacha mandates that we still try to pray these three daily prayers with the best concentration we can muster.
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However when you pray to G-d using your own words, instead of including your heart within the set paths, you are connecting yourself straight to G-d in a unique way that nobody in the world but you can do! An added bonus is that because you are making up the words as you go along, every session of hitbodedut is an entirely fresh and new prayer.
However when you pray to G-d using your own words, instead of including your heart within the set paths, you are connecting yourself straight to G-d in a unique way that nobody in the world but you can do!
“You are connecting yourself to God in a way that nobody in the world but you canā
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These well-traveled roads refer to the 3 set daily prayers which are so well traveled because every Jew uses these pathways to access Hashem multiple times a day. The evil spiritual forces wait until we embark on a set prayer service in order to attempt to snatch it away so to speak before it can arrive in heaven. Essentially they try to nullify the positive spiritual effects of our prayers before they have a chance to take root.
“The evil forces attempt to snatch it away before it can arrive in heavenā
“Each and every word is coming strait from the heartā
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So just how does one go about performing hitbodedut? The first thing is to find a quiet location or a place of nature so that your mind can be at ease and free from distractions. This will help you to really open up. However if such a place isnāt available and you feel the desire to speak to Hashem right now where you are, just open your heart and speak. You can speak to Hashem in every place and at every time.
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Okā¦ so youāve found a great little secluded spot in the woods, or youāre all alone in your room ā just you and Hashem. Now what to talk about? The answer is anything! And everything! And anything in between. You can thank Hashem, you can make requests, you can detail everything youāre going through and your every thought and desire.
āEven sitting in silence with the intention of connecting to Hashem is goodā
A few examples would include:
āG-d, Iām going through x, y, and z and I need your help to overcome it all.ā
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āI feel lost confusedā¦ I need helpā
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āYou really helped me out today ā thank You so much for being there for me!ā
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āItās so hard for me to feel You right nowā¦ are You really there?ā
When speaking you can either stick with one topic or jump around ā the important thing is that itās coming from you and that itās your truth. Rebbe Nachman said that one should speak to G-d with simplicity like a child speaking to their father or a person talking to their friend [6]
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Sometimes Hashem may seem very distant and unrelatable. But by speaking to Him every day from the heart in our own words, we help make Him into our father and we start to see how He becomes our friend.
“Speak to God with simplicity..like a child speaking to their fatherā
Please note: We spent much time and effort to bring the inspirational teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov as accurately as possible in this article. If you findĀ any mistakes in translation or have troubleĀ understanding the article, please let us know! Feel free to comment below.We bless the viewers to be connected to Rebbe Nachman and to his teachings, and to always be happy and inspired…
1) Michilta, Tanchuma 9, Rashi on Shemot 14:10
2) Chayey Mohoran Gidulat Hasagato 23
3) Sichot HaRan 10
4) Lekutei Mohoran II, 91
5) Sichot HaRan 275
6) Chayey Mohoran 439