We all have a beast inside. The point is not simply to muzzle that animal, but to harness its power.
The first step is to determine what sort of an animal this is. Then you will know what can be done with it.
A sheep, for example, doesn’t care to hurt anyone. An ox, on the other hand, can kick and gore.
But did you ever see a sheep plow a field?
So I can't locate the place to go that shows be which beast is mine. Would like the whole teaching. Please send the link. Thank You Reply
So is a sheep only good for cuddling when young and adorable? Good for wool and milk? And then valuable for slaughtering before it gets too old and tough? And roasting it nice and slow with garlic, potatoes, herbs and lemons stuffed inside before eating it? Maybe it is not so good to be gentle as a lamb. Maybe better to be a great big horned bull! Reply
This gives me strength and guidance time and time again. Thank you so much Rabbi Freeman for your daily doses of Chassidus. Reply
That wolf is pretty! lol Why do we think of a wolf as a thief? When a thief is a thief! a wolf just keeps the population of other animals down so that they don't starve!
A thief reminds us that we don't own anything on Earth it all belongs to G_d!
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Your beast What about the wolf...where does he fit in? Is he only evil? Reply
the ox earns it keep If the ox never plowed that field then the sheep wouldnt have anything to eat! at least the ox earns its keep! Reply
see
Did you ever see an ox provide wool ? Is ox meat better than veal ?
It is not right to compare one person to a second person in a way that diminishes the second person. It applies to animals as well.
Everything has its place and spark of G-dliness.
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Your Beast Which is the better marriage partner in your opinion.....the sheep or the ox? Reply
Perfect timing
Many of these Daily doses have that amazing quality of timing. Like a great sermon, where many people feel the sermon was spoken just for them, because it was so appropriate - the timing was just right.
Yes, the beast. It's time is coming.... for many of us to fight for justice and what we need to fight for... Not only well said, but well timed.
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your beast
Also known as my power animal...very helpful to my personality development and ability to deal with the the world.
Because I am not only from the "people of the book" but reincarnated many times in different roles, my power animal varies according to my needs.
Most recent, the tiger, giraffe.
Rv., God bless you.
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SUN BEAR My animal is the bear. Reply
the lion and the lamb
Will the lion really lie down with the lamb and not eat it?
i imagined what this might be like and how it could work.
Perhaps the lion would have to eat grass too like a sheep if it can not be a carnivore. With it's nature maybe the lion would eat a lion's share of the grass and eat the Sheep's share of grass too. So there would need to continue to be rules in order to harness the aggressive nature of the lion. There would need to be rules to harness the lion's nature and simultaeneously balance with a sheep nature..
Same with the ox and the sheep.
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So it is o.k.?
So it is o.k. to be "beastly"?!?!
Part in jest, part completely sober--but there do seem to be definite times when the animal is more activated than other times! To use it in a productive manner is a good idea, instead of feeling you are a horrible being. Do something productive, not destructive with the energy.
Got it. Thanks!
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Sometimes beauty likes the beast! - also part in jest! Reply
Revision
This thought was rewritten for the second edition of the book, which is titled, "Bringing Heaven Down To Earth, Book II".
The comments up to this point are on the original version. I've changed that now to the version in that second edition. I hope this is much clearer for everyone. Your comments please.
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My Beast But what if my Beast is a raging lion? I have learned to curb her, but she's still there. Reply
goat example I do not understand the goat example, please explain. Reply
to L.H. Fascinating point. Thank you. Reply
I agree and related point. Our middos are like the molecules. Some of them look like hydrogen (H) and some of them look like oxygen (O). H being first in the periodic chart and also occupying 90% of the universe by weight could lead us to believe that it's the most essential element for our existence. O being 8th and comprising 90% of water might lead us to a different conclusion. The truth is it's the both together in the right combination that gives us life-sustaining water or in other words a balanced and productive personality. Reply
So how does one discover what their "animal" is? Reply
The key in this fragment of the Rebbe i s " harnessing. "
There is no question that all of us do harbor anger inside. Anger is necessary because not all things in life are fair ! Yet, we do not need to got with this anger as a bull in a China shop, and attack everyone on sight because we are upset! Harnessing is a way of control, instead of always having a chip in the shoulder, and when we do achieve it - we can use that beast inside with good results: to improve ourselves, yes ourselves! The first step is : realizing why the anger is there, the second the finding a venue to discharge that anger in a way that results in something positive- that allows personal growth. and a higher relationship with H" since he is the model of control when he promised not destroy the world again after Noah- even when human do not behave to the expected level, By imitating H we will also grow mentally and spiritually,