How to Get to Heaven

Ever had a heavenly experience? How about a hellish one?

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 disconnection.

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.