When you are on fire, you are in a different world. R' Pinchos Menachem Malach Zatzal said that in Novardok, they didn’t work on Inyanei Kedusha, since after learning Mussar B'hispa'alus, they were on such a “high” that they couldn’t even think of these issues. Giving a Chabura can also put you into a different world, and save you from your base desires, e.g. Kin'ah, Ta'ava, and Kavod etc.
R' Wainkrantz Zatzal once told me that getting drunk on Purim won’t really give Simcha. Learning Chovos Halvavos 3-4 hours gives true Simcha. ** Chovos Halvavos especially, has loads of Kedusha, and those who develop a relationship with that Sefer are super happy and they have an easy time with: כְּבִּישַת הַיֵּצֶר overcoming the Yetzer Hara. The Velt says that the Yetzer Hara didn’t “get along” with the Chovos Halvavos. Start slowly, with bits and pieces of Chovos Halvavos whenever you have a spare moment. ***
Some people need to skip around to those parts that turn them “on”. But a continuous soft niggun makes it sink into your system, and it gives you super spiritual energy. It makes you alive with Ahavas Hashem, and you become serious about the value of Ruchaniyus. R' Michoel Schwarz Zatzal told me that you have to pour: מַ יִּ ם רַ בִּ ים rivers of Chovos Halvavos upon yourself. ****
R’ Wainkrantz Zatzal was once describing to me each “Shaar” of Chovos Halvavos, and his mouth was watering. You develop a love for this Sefer, and it won’t betray you. Try to make this your #1 priority in life, and make this Sefer dominate you. *****
Or else, you may have many wicked Retzonos dominating you; sometimes subtly and sometimes openly. R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal once remarked about the custom in Yeshiva of learning Sefer Orchos Chaim of the Rosh during Chodesh Elul, that: “The Ikar is the niggun!” The: לֶהָבָה flame is the “Niggun” and the “Hispa'alus”, which Yosef HaTzaddik used in combating the Yetzer Hara of the wife of Potiphar. When a person brings Hashem into his life, this causes his potential to blossom in all its glory. Learning Chovos Halvavos brings Hashem into your life, especially with a soft Niggun; it will wake up your soul. ******
For good reason did R' Wainkrantz Zatzal say that hours of learning Chovos Halvavos gives us much more Simcha than wine, or dancing and singing. This Sefer changes your mode from being a “taker”, to being a “giver”. This: אַ בִּ י אַ בוֹת founding father of Mussar Seforim is loaded with the Yesod of gratitude to Hashem. The “Chovos Halvavos mentality” is what caused so many Jews to happily give their lives Al Kiddush Hashem. *******
There were many Novardok Talmidim who used to cry when they davened Shmoneh Esrei. Learning Mussar and especially Chovos Halvavos gives you a: לֵּב בָשָר feeling heart. R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal used to talk loads about having a true Lev. It’s worth investing time, with lots of Chovos Halvavos, to develop a Lev Tahor; which is the Ikar. It will make you much happier, and more “real”.
R' Chaim Mordechai Wainkrantz
