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Joyful Emptiness


Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson

The beginning of all paths and the starting point of every climb is to open yourself to receive from Above.

How do you receive from Above?
By being empty.
For a vessel that is full cannot receive anything.

A person that is full of self-concern, of “what will become of me?” of “where life is taking me?”—such a person leaves no room for life to enter.

But a simple, open spirit is filled with joy from Above.
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Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

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Latest Comments:
Posted: Feb 25, 2012
freeing yourself of demands and pressure
this is not about depression, it is for a person who can not move on, or who has a journey to undergo who feels empty, how does that person receive divine love?
More importantly why are they not receiving, because they are full of questions and anxiety like what will become of them.
This stops them from simply being content with themselves.
Posted By Anonymous, london, england

Posted: Feb 24, 2012
Gratitude
Surely this discussion is somewhat off course. Isn't Rabbi Tzvi Freeman just saying that we humans should show gratitude to our creator for what we have now, not what was or what could be in the future.
Many of us, me included have a tendency to look back at what we have lost or forward to something we desire in future. Perhaps living in "the now" would benefit many of us and our families and friends and those we meet daily.
Posted By Stephen, Alicante, Spain

Posted: Feb 24, 2012
joyful emptiness
WOW! what a beautiful, eye-opening, humbling reminder to reach out to G-d for fulfillment (at least this is how this letter and talk with the Rebbe struck me!). it gives me the feeling of rising from the every day and open up to what G-d has in store for us! thank you!!!
Posted By valerie, akron, oh

Posted: Feb 24, 2012
Beautiful words
What a beautiful quote! Really brightened up just another day at the office.

I have a tendency for "falling in to the pits" as you say, and perhaps even depression. I found these words gave me a sense of relief. They remind me that those questions and those so called "pits" are not my concern - rather my concern is to simply try to be "empty" and live a life of simple joy. In our high pressure world filled with constant need to achieve, words like these are a rare source of relief.
Posted By Anonymous, Helsinki

Posted: Oct 16, 2011
Adapted Oct 15, 2011
Yes, blue moods need a shift. They hit everybody. The trick on a blue mood is to roll with it initially. Keep that initial reaction briefly and then as soon as possible determine a positive side. Think in or out or up, or sideways, but not down. Usually we call it the silver lining in the cloud. Seek it thoroughly and you will find it. It takes resourcefulness/work but it is always there for you. Being empty and reaching up to Him, can be a great kick start to the process.
Posted By Anonymous, w

Posted: Oct 15, 2011
Adapted
Since this generated so much confusion, I've rewritten the penultimate paragraph. I hope the new version will find more clarity with readers, and thank all for their input.
Posted By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

Posted: Oct 11, 2011
Empthy Vessel
I learned from a teacher that one should never look back at the past even one second. Every moment is new. One should only look forward to the future and that one should think and believe that he has the power to shape it. When one's vessel is full, one will not be able see the beauty of what he is supposed to become.
Posted By Rodolfo Rabonza, Sherman Oaks, CA

Posted: Oct 11, 2011
so long
Even if ' non-clinical depression ' is dismissed as self-pity, it is alarmingly insensitive.

No matter how many times you comment on The Rebbe's words on depression in the Daily Dose, i see no solace. For those people who are mildly depressed, time is a far more effective healer than religion, IMHO. Sitting Shiva can be celebratory under some circumstances. You recite kaddish and then socialize with fond memories. However, other times it is heartbreak. Give it a year of time and hopefully there has been a full recovery, an empty vessel that can receive joy of any kind, a return to normalcy.
Posted By Anonymous

Posted: Oct 11, 2011
Clinical depression
Certainly these words are not addressing clinical depression. It is addressing the tendency of every human being to fall into the pits every once in a while. Some people seem to think those pits are holy places, as though it were part of being religious to be real depressed. The Baal Shem Tov worked hard to break that myth, and the Rebbe simply continued from there.
Posted By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman
via mychabad.org

Posted: Oct 11, 2011
thank you
Posted By Mr. David Pfeifer



 


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