Machshava:

Mesilas Yeshorim 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: The Bilvavi On Mesilas Yesharim

Description

P. 283 If the neshamah (soul) is in the body against its will, it must be that Hashem has some great benefit in mind for the neshamah. Towards shleimus (completion) through the commandments. The goal is dveykus (attachment to Hashem) in this world. Mitzvos are intrinsically tied to this world and therefore to the guf (body). They are therefore the only way we can come into contact with the soul. The two step program: first soften the body by intensely keeping mitzvos; and work hard on correcting one's bad character traits. What if a person has only succeeded in one of these steps? If a person breaks through the guf, but has not worked on his midos (character traits) such as anger and pride, that combination makes for an extraordinarily dangerous person. A soul filled with light and bad midos.