Realize you are the center of the universe

### Summary of Likutei Moharan Lesson 24

Likutei Moharan Lesson 24, taught by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, is a profound Kabbalistic exploration of how a person can spiritually become the "center of the universe" by pursuing the infinite Divine Light (the Ein Sof, associated with Havayah or YHVH) through the intellect (mentalities: Chokhmah/wisdom, Binah/understanding, Daat/knowledge). This pursuit is "chased" by the mind but restrained and controlled by Keter (the Crown), the highest sefirah that acts as a partition or regulator. The process creates "nine chambers" – spiritual vessels for glimpsing the Infinite in a mode of "reaching and not reaching" (partial attainment without full comprehension). The core idea is that humanity, through joyful mitzvot (commandments) and elevation of holiness, draws down blessings, arouses all worlds to Divine service, and aligns with the Infinite as the true center of existence. This culminates in realizing the limits of knowledge, where true wisdom is knowing one knows nothing.

The teaching draws on Talmudic anecdotes (like pointing to oneself as the world's center) and sefirotic dynamics: Malkhut (kingdom) rises from evil forces via joy; Netzach, Hod, Yesod (endurance, splendor, foundation) enable movement and arousal; Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet (kindness, strength, beauty) channel blessings; and higher levels integrate faith to bless Keter. Evil forces (associated with sorrow) are subdued, leading to ultimate redemption.

### Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving This State

Based on the teaching, achieving this – becoming the spiritual center where your mind pursues the Infinite under Keter's control, creating chambers for Divine Light – involves a progressive spiritual practice rooted in joy, mitzvot, and meditative awareness. It's not a linear formula but a holistic ascent through the worlds (Action, Formation, etc.). Practice consistently, ideally with guidance from a Breslov teacher.

1. **Cultivate Constant Joy as the Foundation**:  

   Begin by making joy your primary spiritual tool. Recognize that sorrow stems from evil forces (excess and harsh judgments), while joy perfects holiness and elevates the Divine Presence (Shechinah) from exile. Actively combat depression through simple practices like singing, dancing, or gratitude. As Rabbi Nachman emphasizes, "It is a great mitzvah to always be happy." Start each day with affirmations of joy, drawing from verses like Psalms 4:8 ("You have put joy in my heart").

2. **Perform Mitzvot with Joyful Intention**:  

   Engage in commandments (e.g., prayer, charity, Torah study) infused with genuine simcha (joy). This joy extracts vitality from evil forces, akin to the Temple incense's 11 spices subduing negativity. Visualize your mitzvah arousing all worlds to God's service, as in Exodus 10:9 ("With our children and elders we will go"). Focus on Malkhut ascending: see your action as the "heart" of Israel rising from sorrow to joy, preparing the ground for higher ascents.

3. **Arouse Movement and Blessing Through Action**:  

   Use the energy of your joyful mitzvah to "go and arouse" – mentally envision your steps (Netzach, Hod, Yesod, the "ambulatory organs") carrying the mitzvah's power to bless all realms. Direct your will toward drawing down blessings, especially intellect (sekhel). Meditate on verses like Psalms 37:31 ("The Torah of his God is in his heart; his steps will not falter"). This transforms "feet" into "hands" of blessing, as in Genesis 30:30, concretizing Divine flow according to your intent.

4. **Integrate Faith into Intellectual Pursuit**:  

   As blessings flow (via Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, the "hands"), channel them into intellect (Chokhmah, Binah, Daat). But avoid relying solely on intellect – infuse it with emunah (faith), the "man of faith" who receives abundant blessings (Proverbs 28:20). Practice by affirming faith during study or prayer: "I trust in the Infinite beyond my grasp." This draws Malkhut of higher worlds into your intellect, building resilience against doubt.

5. **Bless and Activate Keter (the Crown/Controls)**:  

   Refine blessings to their "innerness" to empower Keter, the regulator that waits and composes the mind (as in Job 36:2, "Wait for me"). Meditate on faith here too ("a wondrous tradesman"). Visualize Keter as a curtain between your intellect and the Infinite, restraining overreach while allowing pursuit. Use verses like Ezekiel 3:12 ("Blessed is the glory of God from His place") to invoke this: glory = faith, place = Keter.

6. **Engage in Mental Racing and Restraint**:  

   In meditation or hitbodedut (personal prayer, a Breslov practice), let your mentalities (the three aspects of intellect) "race" toward the Light of the Infinite (Havayah/YHVH), pursuing unity with the Divine center. But invoke Keter's control to restrain them, preventing nullification or overload. This collision creates the "nine chambers" (3 mentalities x 3 enclosures = 9 spiritual vessels). Focus on "reaching and not reaching": strive deeply but accept incomprehension. Repeat: "Here is the center" (pointing inwardly, as in the Talmudic story).

7. **Ascend Through Worlds and Realize Non-Knowing**:  

   Continue the process to elevate worlds progressively (Action to Nearness). Direct will to spiritual blessings over material ones (Psalms 145:16). The peak is realizing the "culmination of knowledge" – that true attainment is knowing you cannot fully know (Isaiah 58:11, "splendors" beyond sefirot). In exile's end, joy destroys evil forces completely; practice envisioning redemption as your personal center aligns with the universe's.

Through persistent practice, you embody the center: your mind chases the Infinite under Keter's crown, chambers form for Divine Light, and all worlds arouse to service. This leads to personal and cosmic harmony, subduing sorrow for eternal joy.

Great blessings of Na Nach Nachmu Nachman Meuman!