What Is The Soul

Dr. Guterson: you talk a lot about the soul. Maybe you can help me understand what the soul is?

A: G-d blew His essence into Man. His essence is our essence. And so, when we are truly in touch with our soul, we operate on an entirely different level.

>>> In a talk I studied from Rabbi YY Jacobson, he explains that there are six essential features of the soul. The first three features are: Confidence, Honesty, and Innocence.

This week is the fourth feature: Joy.

Someone who is in touch with their soul has an inner wholesomeness. In that state, one does not have to DO anything to feel joy. There is simply an automatic and palpable connection.

When you know your soul, when you know that your soul is a piece of G-dliness, then no matter what happens, there is always an inner state of joy.

Even when there’s pain.

To be continued….

Damn Wonderful

Josh was 21 years old and he was suffering, crying uncontrollably for days on end, feeling utterly lost. “Give me some meds, Doc, please; I can’t take this anymore.” But Josh’s depression, in my mind, was not biologically based. I told him to forget about meds, that the hard work of psychotherapy and spiritual connection would help him much better in the long run. “Give me some meds, Doc, please”, he pleaded. I then told Josh that Abraham Lincoln went through intense depressions, even to the point of being suicidal, and came out a stronger person because of his internal work. And Lincoln didn’t take even one pill of Prozac! “Please, Doc, I need meds; meds!” I looked Josh straight in the eye and explained that many people these days just want quick relief in everything, medications included. “It’s the curse of your generation, and Josh, you’re beyond all that.” But Josh did not accept this. He said he wanted to join with the cursed of his generation. He said that Abe Lincoln was a great man, but times have changed. “Why are you depriving me? Why?” I paused. Josh was desperate. I tried telling him that life is filled with pain and challenges and that‘s how we grow. And now is his chance to look at his real self….. And with that, Josh fell silent. And looked away. In the medical profession we are instructed to listen closely to our patients. And then we need to use our judgment for what we think is best….. …….the next morning, I wrote Josh a script for Prozac. I didn’t mention a word about Lincoln or spirituality or life being difficult. Josh thanked me profusely and then, wouldn’t you know it, in a couple weeks he started getting better. Slowly, steadily he climbed out of the pit of his darkness. Was it the Prozac? Would Josh’s improvement have happened anyway, simply with the march of time? Or was it because he searched inside himself? Trying to figure this all out is why being a psychiatrist is so damn hard and wonderful.

What Is The Soul...

What Is The Soul (continued from last three weeks)

Dr. Guterson: you talk a lot about the soul. Maybe you can help me understand what the soul is?

A: G-d blew His essence into Man. His essence is our essence. And so, when we are truly in touch with our soul, we operate on an entirely different level.

In a talk I studied from Rabbi YY Jacobson, he explains that there are six essential features of the soul. The first two features are Confidence and Honesty.

This week, the third feature: Innocence

Innocence is based on the profound awareness that our soul is purely perfect. In other words, flawless. There is nothing we can do that can damage our soul. Nothing.

Therefore, the only thing - the only thing - that is wrong with me, with the real me, is that I think there is something wrong with me.

Got that??

To be continued…..