I heard this from R' Yudel²⁸⁰, p. 26, #23). See “His Wisdom” #292. of sainted memory: The Rebbe once vaunted the fact that he was unique in completely overcoming all his desires. No one as young as he had ever overcome his desires so completely.

footnotes: ²⁸⁰ R' Yudel was one of Rebbe Nachman's earliest followers, joining him in Medvedevka. He was a prominent Kabbalist and son-in-law of the renowned Rabbi Leib of Trastnitz (Kokhavey Or

Many tzaddikim have banished their desires, but not until they were at an advanced age. The Rebbe then mentioned a number of tzaddikim as examples, saying that he knew that they did not completely vanquish their desires until they were advanced in years.

He said, “For a youth like me to break down all desires is something unheard of.”

As we have mentioned earlier, the Rebbe had vanquished his every worldly desire before the age of twenty (see “His Praises” #25).

The Rebbe began to tell how removed he was from all worldly desires. He said, “ Eating is contemptible to me. My meals are a great difficulty and burden. When I think of what becomes of the food I eat, it becomes very disagreeable to me. I must distract myself and think of other things when I eat.”

This is the reason why the Rebbe would often converse during his meal. He would distract himself and thereby be able to snatch some nourishment to sustain his body. For in general, he found eating very disagreeable (see “His Praises” #21).

He said, “Regarding overcoming sexual desires, I am wondrously unique” (see “His Praises #16).