Hitbodedut
Encyclopedia
Hitbodedut refers to an unstructured, spontaneous and individualized form of prayer
and meditation
taught by Rebbe
Nachman of Breslov
. Through hitbodedut one may establish a close, personal relationship with God
and gain a clearer understanding of one's personal motives and aspirations. However, Rebbe Nachman states that the ultimate goal is to free oneself of all negative traits that obstruct the spiritually-transforming non-dual
realization of the "Imperative Existent," which is the Divinity inherent in all being.
During a session of hitbodedut, the practitioner pours out his heart to God in his own language, describing all his thoughts, feelings, problems and frustrations. Nothing was viewed by Rebbe Nachman as being too mundane for discussion, including business dealings, conflicting desires and everyday interactions. Even the inability to properly articulate what one wishes to say is viewed as a legitimate subject to discuss with God. One should also use the opportunity to examine his behavior and motivations, correcting the flaws and errors of the past while seeking the proper path for the future.
Rebbe Nachman told his leading disciple, Reb Noson
, that hitbodedut should be practiced in a simple, straightforward manner, as if he were conversing with a close friend. He also advised:
Another form of hitbodedut is called bitul (nullification), in which the practitioner meditates on God's presence to the exclusion of all other things, including himself.
Hitbodedut is performed in one's mother tongue, in contrast to most other Jewish prayers
that are recited in Hebrew
. Rebbe Nachman did not intend for hitbodedut to take the place of the three daily prescribed Jewish services
, but to supplement them. He recommended that his followers engage in hitbodedut for at least one hour each day.
Hitbodedut is a staple practice for all Breslover Hasidim
. The practice has been much publicized throughout Israel
and the Jewish diaspora
as a unique form of Jewish meditation, and is practiced by some Jews who are not Breslover Hasidim.
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
and meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
taught by Rebbe
Rebbe
Rebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement...
Nachman of Breslov
Nachman of Breslov
Nachman of Breslov , also known as Reb Nachman of Bratslav, Reb Nachman Breslover , Nachman from Uman , was the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement....
. Through hitbodedut one may establish a close, personal relationship with God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and gain a clearer understanding of one's personal motives and aspirations. However, Rebbe Nachman states that the ultimate goal is to free oneself of all negative traits that obstruct the spiritually-transforming non-dual
Nondualism
Nondualism is a term used to denote affinity, or unity, rather than duality or separateness or multiplicity. In reference to the universe it may be used to denote the idea that things appear distinct while not being separate. The term "nondual" can refer to a belief, condition, theory, practice,...
realization of the "Imperative Existent," which is the Divinity inherent in all being.
Method
The method involves talking to God in an intimate, informal manner while secluded in a private setting such as a closed room or a private outdoor setting. Rebbe Nachman taught that the best place for hitbodedut is in the forests or fields. "When a person meditates in the fields, all the grasses join in his prayer and increase its effectiveness and power," he wrote. He also suggested practicing hitbodedut in the middle of the night, when the desires and lusts of this world are at rest, although doing it during the day is just as effective.During a session of hitbodedut, the practitioner pours out his heart to God in his own language, describing all his thoughts, feelings, problems and frustrations. Nothing was viewed by Rebbe Nachman as being too mundane for discussion, including business dealings, conflicting desires and everyday interactions. Even the inability to properly articulate what one wishes to say is viewed as a legitimate subject to discuss with God. One should also use the opportunity to examine his behavior and motivations, correcting the flaws and errors of the past while seeking the proper path for the future.
Rebbe Nachman told his leading disciple, Reb Noson
Nathan of Breslov
Nathan of Breslov , also known as Reb Noson, born Nathan Sternhartz, was the chief disciple and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, founder of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty. Reb Noson is credited with preserving, promoting and expanding the Breslov movement after the Rebbe's death...
, that hitbodedut should be practiced in a simple, straightforward manner, as if he were conversing with a close friend. He also advised:
"It is very good to pour out your thoughts before God like a child pleading before his father. God calls us His children, as it is written (DeuteronomyDeuteronomyThe Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, and of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch...
14:1), "You are children to God." Therefore, it is good to express your thoughts and troubles to God like a child complaining and pestering his father."
Silent meditation
Hitbodedut also lends itself to certain silent meditational techniques. One is the "silent scream," which Rebbe Nachman himself practiced. He described the silent scream as follows:You can shout loudly in a "small still voice"… Anyone can do this. Just imagine the sound of such a scream in your mind. Depict the shout in your imagination exactly as it would sound. Keep this up until you are literally screaming with this soundless "small still voice."
This is actually a scream and not mere imagination. Just as some vessels bring the sound from your lungs to your lips, others bring it to the brain. You can draw the sound through these nerves, literally bringing it into your head. When you do this, you are actually shouting inside your brain.
Another form of hitbodedut is called bitul (nullification), in which the practitioner meditates on God's presence to the exclusion of all other things, including himself.
Hitbodedut is performed in one's mother tongue, in contrast to most other Jewish prayers
Jewish services
Jewish prayer are the prayer recitations that form part of the observance of Judaism. These prayers, often with instructions and commentary, are found in the siddur, the traditional Jewish prayer book....
that are recited in Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
. Rebbe Nachman did not intend for hitbodedut to take the place of the three daily prescribed Jewish services
Jewish services
Jewish prayer are the prayer recitations that form part of the observance of Judaism. These prayers, often with instructions and commentary, are found in the siddur, the traditional Jewish prayer book....
, but to supplement them. He recommended that his followers engage in hitbodedut for at least one hour each day.
Hitbodedut is a staple practice for all Breslover Hasidim
Breslov (Hasidic dynasty)
Breslov is a branch of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism...
. The practice has been much publicized throughout Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and the Jewish diaspora
Jewish diaspora
The Jewish diaspora is the English term used to describe the Galut גלות , or 'exile', of the Jews from the region of the Kingdom of Judah and Roman Iudaea and later emigration from wider Eretz Israel....
as a unique form of Jewish meditation, and is practiced by some Jews who are not Breslover Hasidim.
Sources
- Bergman, Ozer (2006). Where Earth and Heaven Kiss: A Guide to Rebbe Nachman's Path of Meditation. Breslov Research InstituteBreslov Research InstituteBreslov Research Institute is a pioneering publisher of classic and contemporary Breslov texts in English. Established in 1979, BRI has produced the first English translation of all the works of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and selected works of Reb Noson , the Rebbe's closest disciple; studies of the...
. ISBN 978-1-1928822-08-0. - Greenbaum, Avraham, trans. (1987). Tzaddik: A Portrait of Rabbi Nachman. Jerusalem: Breslov Research InstituteBreslov Research InstituteBreslov Research Institute is a pioneering publisher of classic and contemporary Breslov texts in English. Established in 1979, BRI has produced the first English translation of all the works of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and selected works of Reb Noson , the Rebbe's closest disciple; studies of the...
. ISBN 0-930213-17-3. - Kaplan, Rabbi Aryeh, trans. (1973). Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom. Jerusalem: Breslov Research InstituteBreslov Research InstituteBreslov Research Institute is a pioneering publisher of classic and contemporary Breslov texts in English. Established in 1979, BRI has produced the first English translation of all the works of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and selected works of Reb Noson , the Rebbe's closest disciple; studies of the...
. - Kramer, Chaim (1989). Crossing the Narrow Bridge. Jerusalem: Breslov Research InstituteBreslov Research InstituteBreslov Research Institute is a pioneering publisher of classic and contemporary Breslov texts in English. Established in 1979, BRI has produced the first English translation of all the works of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and selected works of Reb Noson , the Rebbe's closest disciple; studies of the...
. ISBN 0-930213-40-8.