If one's intentions to help another are pure and only to serve the Creator, GD will allow them to: repay him, praise him, honor him, and he will gain his reward in the World to Come pg 423                                                  Nefesh Hachaim An even higher level of Kavana in Tefila, then concentrating on the words and flow of Kedusha to the world, is Praying with one's soul, as we see in the story of  Chana she describes her prayer as pouring out her soul to H'shem. Gate Two, Chapter 14, pg 96

If his intention in helping someone is for payment, honor and praise instead of  serving  GD he will "labor in vain" and will lose his reward in the world to come. 423                                                            Nefesh Hachaim When one focuses his concentration in Tefilah on the written word while disregarding his own body and worries, thinking only of increasing the flow and connection of the Shechina in this world he will eventually achieve "pure and simple kavanah" Gate Two, Chapter 13 pg 96

When one helps and supports those around him, he must do so not to gain honor, payment or respect.  His obligation to help those H'shem surrounded him with is to take as best care of them, all the while encouraging them to "Keep His covenant and His ordinances" pg423                                                          Nefesh Hachaim Our intent during Tefilah while concentrating on the words themselves should be to "increase the flow of holiness that comes with the increased relatedness of GD in the world" Gate Two, Chapter 13 pg 96

One who trusts in H'shem, if he has those that rely on him, and surround him, he should trust in H'shem to help him provide for them.  By way of serving  H'shem, he should help and advise them in the best way he can, not hoping or depending  on them to repay him. pg 423                                                          Nefesh Hachaim The proper concentration one must have in prayer is to "enunciate each word" and focus on their letters, not their meaning. The composition of the Shemoneh Esri, has come directly from H'shem and is beyond our understanding. Gate Two, Chapter 13 pg 95

The shaliach observed that there were no women or children in the city. The inhabitants explained, to minimize the burden and distraction in life, they set the women and children up in a nearby city and go visit them as needed. The shaliach was pleased and blessed them for their conduct. 421                                                                             Nefesh Hachaim Realizing that each word of Shemoneh Esrei is imbued with Ruach Hakodesh and  H'shems light how can anyone begin to understand the words hidden meaning. Gate Two, Chapter 13 pg 95

The shaliach asked about the graves that are at the footsteps of their homes.  They answered him that it is to keep them focused on their purpose by reminding them of where they are going. pg 421                                                                        Nefesh Hachiam "GD himself placed into the mouths of the Men of the Great Assembly the specific words that contain the hidden mystical meaning to rectify the heavenly realm." Gate Two, Chapter13 pg 95

A shaliach once found a city that all the men were dressed alike indistinguishable from the next. When he asked the inhabitants about this they said it is to keep us all equal.  No man is greater than the next because of his financial standings. 421                                                                               Nefesh Hachaim The power imbued in the Shemoneh Esrei is such that it "rectifies all the higher worlds until the coming of Mashiach". This could only have been accomplished if its authors had Ruach Hakodesh Gate Two, Chapter 13 pg 95

There are those among the righteous and prophets who would leave civilization to be by themselves and GD.  We must always use our status and situation to serve H'shem and not complain. 419/421                                                           Nefesh Hachaim The maggid did not advise to concentrate on the meaning of the words in prayer since the little knowledge we received  is insufficient to understand the deeper champers of what is behind them and so he advised to just visualize the words. Gate Two, Chapter 13 pg 95

Solitude can be an advantage by being free of burden and responsibilities.  In every situation we must see the positive in what GD has chosen for us and thank Him.  Pg 419                                                                    Nefesh Hachaim The maggid told the Beit Yosef the correct way to pray is by clearing one's mind completely even of Toarh and Mitzvot and to "visualize the words themselves:" Gate Two Chapter 13 pg 94/95

If one is surrounded by many or none he must remember there is only one he can really on pg 419                                                             Nefesh Hachaim  Overwhelmed by our financial burdens, we may find it  impossible to have the correct thoughts in our prayers.  This is a struggle we must fight.  The prayer of today takes the place of the Korbanos that were accepted or rejected depending on the thoughts of the Kohan delivering them.  Our thoughts must be our highest concern when standing before GD in prayer.  Gate Two, Chapter 12 pg 95

If one feels alone in the world he should remember that we are all strangers and alone in this world.  He should know the only one we have to rely on is H'shem.  He should connect and find companionship, comfort and trust only in Him. 419                                           Nefesh Hachaim When praying Shemoneh Esrei one's mind should not be focused on the literal translation alluding to the personal pleas in the Brachot rather he should focus on "intensifying GD's involvement with man in the world" Gate Two Chapter 12 pg 94

The ways of H'shem are perfect, and so are the choices he makes for us including where we live and by what means we receive our sustenance pg 419                                                        Nefesh Hachaim                                                          The secret to Chana having her Tefilot answered says the Gemara in Brachot was that she put her pain aside and  prayed for " the relief of the anguish her being barren caused in the higher worlds". Gate Two, Chapter 12 pg 93

H'shem will decide how and when our income will come as he decided the best plan for our lives since birth. pg 417                                                                   Nefesh Hachaim There is a tremendous pain felt in the heavens when we sin.  H'shem being our twin also feels the pain of our suffering when he cleanses us from our sins with Yesurim. That pain is less compared to the first since it is the cure even though it hurts. Therefore if one does Teshuvah and prays for the pain he caused to the Shechina and the Heavens through his sin, his suffering is then lifted and he is rewarded  twice to compensate for the pain of the sin and punishment. His regret and Teshuvah for the pain he caused by his "willful sin" turns them into merits. Gate Two Chapter 12 pg 92/93

Those that trusting H'shem, even when his income is very limited "he will be rewarded for this"  We followed H'shem through the wilderness sustained by the Man, a portion enough for one day.  The trust of that generation earned them the receiving of the Torah.  pg 417                                            Nefesh Hachaim Rav Elazar Hakkapar said "Whoever includes GD's name with his suffering will find that his reward doubles (Brachos 63a) Gate Two Chapter 12 pg 92

If one's income is at a bare minimum he should reflect that at his beginning he was sustained with the exact amount he needed by his mother until he was given more.  That "limited supply did not harm him in the least"  This realization should arouse his emunah and bitachon that his current situation will not harm him, it was determined  by GD in his infinite wisdom for his good. 417                                                           Nefesh Hachaim "Salvation that comes for Yesrael is salvation for GD too, as the next verse continues" and I will show him My salvation." Gate Two, Chapter 11, pg 92

Trusting H'shem with one's struggle in Parnasa should be as such "He brought me into this world at a certain time ...He is the One Who withholds from me my livelihood until a certain moment and day, knowing what is best for me" pg417                                                          Nefesh Hachaim The Midrash explains the reference to H'shem being Am Yisroel's twin. Just as twins can sense the other one's pain and distress so to our pain and distress is felt by the Shechina.  When one sympathizes with H'shem's pain to the degree that he forgets his own, his sins are forgiven. Gate Two, Chapter 11 pg 91/92

One must know,  H'shem is the one that sends the Parnasa, not the job, not the inheritance.  If he does not receive it in one way, if it is coming to him, he will receive it in another. pg 415/ 417                                                                   Nefesh Hachaim Rabbi Meir says in Sanhedrian, when a Jew is in pain the Shechina says "My head feels heavy! My arms feel heavy" For this reason when a Jew davens he should pray that the suffering of the Shechina should be released since the  Shechina is suffering along with him.  Gate Two, Chapter 11 pg 91

Those that acquired wealth through their business or inheritance believe  those to be the means that led them to their wealth and without it they would not have received it. 415                                                Nefesh Hachaim When one is going through  Yesurim (Lo Alenu) they beg H'shem to remove it and often wonder why they have to suffer.  In Mesechet Shabbat is says " Suffering is caused only by willful transgression" We learn from here that hardships are a remedy for  wrong doings. Gate Two, Chapter 10 pg 91