There were two new movements who appeared on the horizon of the Torah world about 200 years ago [give or take - I am not that old so I don't remember:)] - Chassidus and Mussar. Both had identical goals - To achieve closeness with the Creator and to climb the ladder of perfection. [See Michtav Mi'eliyahu Vol. 5 Page 35!!] Both movements were successful in their heyday in capturing the hearts of many, although to my great dismay, today the Mussar Movement has all but breathed it's last [we are trying to resuscitate it but we - meaning me - are very small].
Although both movements share the same ultimate goals they differed in their approaches and methodologies. One example [very general]: A true ba'al mussar is CONSTANTLY scrutinizing his actions and motivations to ensure complete honesty and sincerity. Any behavior that seems to smack of insincerity is cut out or at least done begrudgingly. Chassidus [as the Rebbe says in B'nei Machshava Tova] teaches - take it easy. Go with the flow. If you do 20 actions, even if 19 are not from the heart, if one singular act is done from the heart, it is all worth it. Don't sweat it. If Yidden are singing, sing along, even if you are not feeling it.
However, AFTERWARDS, when one is finished doing whatever he did, he should take stock of his actions and try to determine from whence they stemmed.
May we all be zocheh שה' יטהר לבנו לעבדו באמת
Of course, the P'Shischa/Kotzk ideology emphasized a more mussar-esque approach within the parameters of Chassidus.
ReplyDeleteBut like R' Aharon Karliner said, he'd rather deal with the fellow in the bar - hoisting a brew and singing a vulgar song - than the philosopher who coldly examines the existential minutiae; given an hour with the barfly, he'd turn him into a fiery servant of God (most likely hoisting a L'Chaim at a farbrengen), whereas the philospher will just ruminate on the possible advantages and disadvantages of listen to Reb Aharon.
Ultimately, the practice of introspection has to be toward a goal; the navel gazer must lift his head to see the world beyond his narrow scope.