"The Transformation of Rabbi Akiva" \ Day 22 \ 30 Days to Teshuvah
"'What was the beginning of Rabbi Akiva? At the age of forty he had learned no Torah, whatsoever. Once, while standing next to a well, he asked, 'Who chiseled this stone?' They responded, 'The water that continually flows over it every day.' Immediately, Rabbi Akiva made a logical deduction, 'If the soft water carves into the hard stone, then surely the words of Torah which are as hard as iron, will penetrate my soft heart which is made of flesh and blood!' Immediately, he returned to his Torah study."
(Avos D'Rabbi Nosson, quoted in Ohr Yisrael, Letter Ten).
Is it really possible to change human nature with the easy approach to Mussar?
The "easy" daily segments of Mussar study harness powerful subconscious forces that render a change in human nature. Imagine the hidden power of erosion, the constant flowing waters of a river indiscernibly carving deep canyons into sold rock. Through consistency over a a period of time, seemingly a "soft force," conquers a hard, unyielding material.
One of the most phenomenal spiritual transformations occurred with Rabbi Akiva. His incredible rise from an unlearned shepherd to one of our greatest Sages, was inspired by his cognizance of the power of the "easy" approach, i.e., consistency over time.
Tip - Imagine the holy words of Mussar changing your heart to pure goodness!
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