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 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.
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