Reply To: Default Setting for the Neshama

moish, i say this without flattery, your question is a very important one. and i have the impression that you truly want an answer. i think you are on a very good path.

im not really qualified to answer it right now, though i know there is an answer.

first of all, we are talking very high madragas here, which few can attain, but many can acquire a portion of.

recall my post of the Tzaddik who had a tooth pulled with no anaesthesia, and showed no pain. i imagine he felt the pain, yet he didnt. i dont however know exactly what this means.

yes you and i feel pain.

imagine a mountain climber who develops severe frostbite in his legs. they rescue him and bring him to a hospital. the doctor tells him they are going to amputate his legs.

his family brings in a world famous specialist. he tells him, yes we will almost certainly have to amputate,

but

there is a chance, a small chance he might recover without amputation, they will wait one day,

if he begins to have pain in his legs, the more pain the better, the more chance for recovery without amputation.

imagine his elation when he begins to have pain.

imagine his euphoria as the pain gets worse.

imagine his ecstasy as the pain becomes severe.

because he knows what the pain means.

he knows the result it is bringing.