5 Life Changing Lessons from Rabbi Nachman on Joy, Prayer, and Inner Peace

Do you ever find yourself searching through countless self help books, only to discover that the answers were right in front of you all along? That is exactly the case with Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. Many of life's greatest insights and practical tools were written by him more than two centuries ago. Following are five of his timeless pieces of advice.

1. Personal Conversation with God

"Hitbodedut is the highest and greatest practice of all."

Rabbi Nachman spoke extensively about the extraordinary value of hitbodedut, private conversation with God. Speaking to God in simple, heartfelt language can bring remarkable comfort and blessing.

How do you do it? Speak to God as you would to a trusted friend or a loving father, someone you can cry to and tell everything that is on your heart. You may be surprised by the sense of relief and peace you feel afterward.

In Rabbi Nachman's own words: "Fortunate is the person who can pour out his heart before God with mercy and supplication... The essence of prayer is to speak to God with complete simplicity, like a child before his father, just as one person speaks to another."

The relief is real.

2. Prayer

Do not confuse hitbodedut, which is spontaneous prayer in your own words, with the formal prayers found in the prayer book. Both are essential.

Rabbi Nachman frequently emphasized the power of traditional prayer. He taught that we should pay close attention to every word we say, recite them slowly and thoughtfully, and treat them like precious diamonds.

He wrote: "Through prayer, a person can change their destiny."

He also taught: "Whoever rises, washes their hands, puts on tefillin, recites the Shema, and prays is considered as though they built an altar, offered a sacrifice upon it, and immersed themselves in purity."

It is well worth the effort.

3. Reciting Psalms

Do you know someone who is deeply interested in Judaism but struggles to take the next step spiritually? Rabbi Nachman recommended reciting Psalms.

He explains: "There are people who feel no awakening toward repentance at all. Even those who do feel inspired may not find the gate of repentance that belongs to them. And even if they reach that gate, it may still be closed. Because of all this, a person may fail to achieve repentance. But through the recitation of Psalms, even someone with no awakening at all can become inspired to repent. Through Psalms, they are able to reach their unique gate of repentance and open it. Thus, by reciting Psalms, a person merits true repentance."

A timeless piece of advice that many have found transformative.

4. Dancing and Clapping

According to Rabbi Nachman, sadness is the root of much of the suffering and illness people experience. None of us wants to feel sad, but sometimes it can be incredibly difficult to break free from a low mood.

Rabbi Nachman's advice is simple: Get up and dance.

Do not wait until you feel like dancing. Move first. Dancing energizes both the body and the soul, clears the mind, refreshes your thinking, drives away sadness, and makes room for joy.

Rabbi Nachman even taught that dancing and clapping have profound spiritual power: "When, God forbid, harsh judgments rest upon the Jewish people, dancing and clapping sweeten those judgments."

What happens when you are joyful? Your mind becomes settled and clear, allowing you to accomplish things that once seemed impossible.

5. Humor and Playfulness

Still feeling down? Tell a joke. Make funny faces in the mirror. Laugh at yourself. Help the people around you smile.

Rabbi Nachman wrote: "Most people cannot make themselves joyful except through playful silliness. A person should sometimes act a little foolish in order to reach joy, because the vitality of both body and soul depends upon it."

Sometimes, a little laughter is exactly what the soul needs.