Heaven on Earth

Ever had a ‘Heavenly’ experience? How about Hell?

Most of the time, these are just terms we throw around. I don’t think anyone ever believes they’re actually in Heaven, or the opposite. We’re just trying to describe an extreme condition.

But let’s think about this is a little differently.

What is Heaven?

Heaven, at its core, is a condition of closeness; it’s the state of a soul being enveloped in the Oneness of the Divine.

Purgatory would be the opposite, a condition of distance and disconnect.

The first is beautiful, tranquil and comforting to the ‘nth degree. The second is exactly the opposite.

Well, what happens when you do a Mitzvah?

What if you got up this morning and prayed? What if you saw someone - co-worker, friend, etc – in need, and then offered help because that is what G-d wants of you?

You will have done a Mitzvah. You will have embraced your life’s purpose; and, in doing so, you will have embraced the Divine

A Mitzvah is more than a good deed. A Mitzvah is a connection with G-d. An awesome connection. A connectedness that goes beyond what any soul in [the condition we call] Heaven can experience.

So when you do a Mitzvah, you’re actually experiencing Heaven. And then some.

The problem is that you can’t feel it.

And that’s a bummer.

But our inability to feel something doesn’t mean it’s not there. Sometimes you need to see things in your mind’s eye; sometimes you need to close your eyes and see things with your soul.

No, you won’t experience the Heaven sensation to its fullest; that’s reserved for a disembodied state. But it’s not ‘all or nothing’.

In Chassidic thought, Heaven and Hell are, aside from their conventional meanings, a daily experience. I can experience Heaven now; I just have to correctly align my life and allow myself to appreciate what I’ve done.

When I’m living a purposeful life, fulfilling G-d’s desire in my existence, I’m in Heaven.

The day is looking up already.