Start here: Open yourself to receive all that heaven wants to give you.
How will you receive it? By being empty.
Full of self-concern, of "what will become of me?" of "where life is taking me?"—there’s no room for life to enter.
But a simple, open spirit is filled with joy from heaven.
In cases of clear and present danger only superhumans can be joyful. In arguably the world's most dangerous moment Churchill stated he was too busy to be worried. Reply
Good🌻Morning,
Another big shout out to GD, and Chabad Staff for this morning's inspiration. Thank you! GD knows how to get our attention especially when we aren't listening very well. ☺
Have A Nice Day!
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Sometimes, it is difficult to open up even to receive 'Good" when I feel emotionally not good. For instance, I am still sad about my Mother not being alive and available to talk with anymore. But thank G-d there are several souls who know exactly how to make me smile and laugh. Then, I automatically begin to feel better. May G-d bless and always protect and preserve them forever. Reply
Who cares if it sounds like "Zen or taoism".
If it works and gives one a piece of mind, then it is G_d-ism, regardless.
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to Peter It's based on the Lubavitcher Rebbe's talks and letters. Not Zen etc. . Reply
very much Taoist/Zen influence here
Very Taoist/Zen Tzvi! Your book seems very much influenced by Taoism and Zen.
The precious emptiness...
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joy how incredibly beautiful - to get out of our own way and simply be open to joy from heaven!!! thank you so much Reply
Absolutely amazing!! And thanks for the comments in the comments section, Rabbi Freeman, those are great as well :) Reply
I was so surprised to see my comment below and thinking, "how did it get there, I'm just seeing this?" Well, that was last year!
1 year later: I'm living...being, as Deb said, "holy emptiness" more and more. Joy and gratitude fill my days. Seeing last year's comment is like discovering an old journal entry, and the difference is light years ahead.
Rabbi Freeman, thank you again, for your Daily Dose of Joy!
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PURPOSE OF LIFE I am led to believe that our purpose in life is to improve all life around us - in any way that we are able. We all have different talents and circumstances and all come across different people/animals and situations. Where we can improve any of these is our purpose in life - and this must be seen in the broadest context possible. Reply
To Tzvi Freeman
We are led to believe there are many purposes in life, but is that true? Must there be a purpose in life? And if so which one is true? If any have to be at all. So who benefits from me following some "purpose in life" ?
I certainly don't know the answer and anyone who does has a fool for a teacher. For if there is a "true purpose in life" it would be obvious and EVERYONE would adhere to it.
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Holy Emptyness
Most people don't even know that they are full when reaching to HaShem.
There are sometimes spillovers but by and large holy emptiness is a wonderful requisite to filling up with joy and gratitude.
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This touched my heart & brought a joyful smile. Thank you Rabbi Freeman. Reply
Thank you so much for every daily dose. All of them are always inspiring and bringing me more emuná. Some of them are quite conected on what I need for that day. Amazing! Reply
And this is the absolute practical key question:
How then do I achieve permanent liberation from the little stressed out little me who sometimes feels good, sometimes bad about himself, who blocks true joy?
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To Anonymous in Montreal
Emptiness is learning, praying, doing, changing the world, revealing all the hidden goodness in life—not because you want to get high, attain enlightenment or be cool and serene…
—but simply because this is the mission of your soul on earth. This is the purpose of your creation, the meaning of your life and of all that exists: To reveal the divine within each thing.
There is purpose to life. That is Judaism.
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Divine Emptiness
This beautiful passage brings to mind a contemporary ( at that time ) siddur that I used some years ago. There was a section of introductory thoughts before prayer.
Two of my favourites were- the well-known, 'The pious men of old used to wait a whole hour to prepare their minds for prayer' ; the other was the succinct but punchy 'There is no room for G-d in the man who is full of himself'.'
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Tune Out to Tune In Switch out of your self to be able to tune in to G_d. Reply
Great! This is great! Thank you so much for posting it! Reply
there is such joy in these words such peace. Hashem can be trusted. right here, right now. all i 'have to do' is release myself.. my thoughts, fears, expectations, longings, denials, hurts.. whatever. and be free. simply be. in love.