אות - רלג

I heard in his name regarding strengthening in hisbodidus and conversation between oneself and one's Maker. He said that even if many days and years pass and it seems to him that he has not yet accomplished anything through his conversation and speech — even so he should not fall from this at all. For in truth, certainly the words make an impression. And he brought an analogy like water falling on stone — even though it seems to us that the water has no power against the hard stone and no impression of the water is visible on the stone, even so when the water falls on the stone many many times consecutively, it makes a hole in the stone as is perceptible to the senses.[421] So too: even if one's heart is a heart of stone and no impression of one's speech and prayer is visible in it — even so, over the passage of many days and years one's stone heart will be pierced through one's conversation — as (Job 14:19): "Water wears away stones" as mentioned above.

And it has already been extensively explained regarding strengthening in hisbodidus — which is conversation between oneself and one's Maker — in the books already printed long ago. See there well. And the essential thing is that you fulfill the words as all that is written there and here, so that it will go well with you forever.

421. RAK: See Avos d'Rabbi Noson 6:2.