Is There One Type of Learning That is Right For Everyone?

In yeshiva, we are often taught that this way or that is "the best way to learn." Whether it is bekius, b'iyun, pipul, it is presented that there is one optimal way of learning that the Talmidim should engage in. In the frum world in general, there is a perception that this or that is "the right way" to do things. many people do not realize that different things are right for different people and that "chanoch l'na'ar al pi darko" applies to not only children, but also to adults, bachurim/bachuros and to adults. I thought that it would be appropriate to translate the 2nd half of "ma'amar 9" in the section of Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh Vol. 5 called "Pirkei Avodah U'Machshava" on Mesilas Yesharim:

Every Individual Has an Individual Derech to Get Close to Kudsha Brich Hu

Now we will explain another mistake... People's nefashos (souls) are not the same as one another. For some, their primary involvement (in learning Torah) is with pilpul. There are others whose main involvement is with bekius, etc. etc. One might ask which one of them is correct? Which one has the true path? The answer is clear. They are all holy, pure and true. But each person learns according to the root (of his neshoma). But it is possible that one will learn not according to his root. In a situation like this, he destroys his world and he is involved in a world that is not his.

It takes a long time to merit to recognize what one's specific portion in Torah is. It requires toil, much effort, and tefillah. A person is obligated to try many paths until he clarifies to himself which is his portion. (Perhaps there are some lofty people who find there path right away...)

Just as it is clear to us that when it comes to learning Torah, there are many paths and a person must clarify to himself which is his individual portion, so too when it comes one's portion in serving Hashem, all souls are not the same. Some should focus more on Ahava and some on Yirah. Some are more inclined to hisbonenus, meditation, and some focus more on breaking their desires, etc. etc. The portion for some is learning Torah without doing anything else. But one should remember that this is only a small portion of people. A person cannot immediately decide which is his portion, and thereby exempt himself from all of the other paths. Each person is obligated to clarify to himself, with an internal, deep and very fundamental clarification, where the root of his soul is and what its portion is.

It is impossible to do this through mere meditation for a few hours. This is something which requires the work of months and sometimes years of experimentation with many paths until the person feels where his nefesh is inclinded. (But one much be extremely careful. Because often, it will appear to a person that his nefesh is inclinded in a certain way, but that in truth, it is nothing but laziness.)

The vast majority of souls are unable to be satisfied with learning Torah alone. Rather, they requires other medications, like learning Musar or Chassidus (in addition to their primary involvement with learning). Each person, according to his root, should pour out his prayers before Hashem Yisborach and shed a river of tears until he merits to clarify his individual portion in this world.

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