“Shiviti-I have set God before me at all times.” (Psalms 16:8)
Shiviti is an expression of hishtavut (equanimity): 1 no matter what happens, whether people praise or shame you, and so, too, with anything else, it is all the same to you. This applies likewise to any food: it is all the same to you whether you eat delicacies or other things. For [with this perspective] the yetzer hara is entirely removed from you.
Whatever may happen, say that “it comes from [God], blessed be He, and if it is proper in His eyes…” 2 Your motives are altogether for the sake of Heaven, and as for yourself nothing makes any difference.
This [sense of equanimity] is a very high level.
Also, serve God with all your might, because everything is “required [for Above].” 3 God wishes to be served in all possible ways. This means the following:
Sometimes one may walk and talk to others and is then unable to study [Torah]. Nonetheless, you must attach yourself to God and effect yichudim (unifications). 4 So also when on the road, thus unable to pray and study as usual, you must serve [God] in other ways.
Do not be disturbed by this. For God wishes to be served in all possible ways, sometimes in one manner and sometimes in another. That is why it happened that you had to go on a journey or talk to people, i.e., in order that you serve Him in that alternate way.
