Reclaiming the Self: On the Pathway of Teshuvah
"... Real teshuvah is of a higher order, not just about change, but about genuine transformation. It is a major spiritual shift, through which the by-product of change occurs organically. Teshuvah directly transforms the believer within, and then by association, purifies and aligns the belief. For instance, if one were to just change their diet without a deep realization and commitment to whole-system health, then his new eating habits would run up against all his unchanged hungers, desires and subconscious validations for unhealthy behavior. It would turn out to be a schizophrenic enterprise, one which could end up causing more internal friction, contradiction and self-defeat. But if one came to the decision to eat healthier food through a profound revelation of the multi-dimensional benefits of a healthy lifestyle, then the decision would be an organic extension of a greater worldview or understanding. This, in turn, would lead to a stronger conviction and more holistic alignment between his actions and his ideals, without contradiction."from Reclaiming the Self