SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa (Poland)
(1765-1827)

“R. Simcha Bunim constantly encouraged his disciples to do deep personal introspection and find the root of their motives and intentions. If one had inauthentic intentions that were motivated by pretenses, they had to purify their motives through a process of self-reflection, self-analysis and prayer. R. Simcha Bunim was deeply engaged with the psychology of the soul, and the importance of self-awareness in regard to one’s own practices and beliefs. He taught that one could only achieve enlightenment if they were open and honest about their motives and had pure intentions that were based in spiritual growth.

He believed that religion was not simply an act of adopting a system of beliefs, but that test and trial were needed, and one had to ascertain through introspection whether one’s beliefs were genuine or not and whether one acted out the truth or lived a life of pretense. He encouraged questioning and reflection and he was not afraid of doubts of deliberations that might lead one astray. R. Simcha Bunim believed that a person must not search for the truth by imitating another, however pious, but rather by going inside his inner being. He believed that those whose piety was motivated by what others think or say were unable to develop a real connection to God. Controversially, he told his disciples that they may ignore restrictions of time during prayer, if it directly impedes them from connecting to prayer.” (Wikipedia)

I think I could get along with this old Rabbi quite well.

“The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” Jesus