אות - מז

You must be very worthy to be able to meditate for a given time each day and regret what you must.

Not everyone merits such mental tranquility each day. The day may pass and go without time to reflect. A person’s whole life may pass without his ever once having had time to really think.

You must therefore make sure to set aside a specific time each day to calmly review your life. Consider what you are doing and ponder whether it is worthy that you devote your days to it.

One who does not meditate in this way cannot have understanding. Although he may be able to concentrate at times, he cannot do so for any length of time. His power of concentration remains weak and cannot be maintained, and so he does not appreciate the foolishness of the world. But one who has a relaxed and penetrating mind can see that it is all vanity.

Many desire to travel widely and become famous and powerful. But this is vanity and striving after the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14, 2:11) . It is all the more foolish because such fame does not actually result in pleasure and satisfaction even in this world, and its main result is suffering and insults.

One of the Rebbe’s followers once had a strong desire to become a renowned religious leader. The Rebbe told him, “You won’t even say the Grace after Meals sincerely! Everything you do will have to be acceptable to others. You won’t be able to do anything for the sake of God alone.”