Anytime you’re feeling a bit anxious or down, there is a way to bring yourself to joy:
Meditation
In the beginning of the Tanya, the Alter Rebbe introduces the idea that there are two paths that bring us to love and joy in serving G-d.
The Long Path involves meditation.
There is no other way to achieve this love and joy.
For this reason, although much of the information below may not be new, the Alter Rebbe felt the need to “repeat it” - but this time as a meditation guide.
At the end of this process, your heart will be calm and happy…
Point One:
G-d fills the whole world and provides every creature with the energy and lifeforce it needs in order to exist ✨.
Basically - everything is G-d! There is nothing else but Him!
In front of G-d, every single being is ~inconsequential~ and ~non-existent~. G-d was the only thing that existed before the creation of the world and nothing has changed since.
Although, in our eyes, it seems that the world occupies space and is a very important entity, for G-d
There is nothing!
Point Two:
The whole world came into being by means of letters since G-d created the world through words. He said, _*Let there be light*_ and light came into being, and so on, for all of creation.
Think of a few words that you’ve said in the past . What is the significance or magnitude of these words compared to the essence of your being, to your soul itself?
Zero
In this same vein, the entire world 🌍, which resulted from G-d's speech, has no value or significance in comparison to the essence of the Creator Himself, Who is infinite, (as we explained at length in chapters 20 and 21)
Point Three:
Planet Earth is sustained by the light and energy radiating from the sun ☀️. Without those sunrays 🔆, the world could ❌not exist❌.
Sunrays extend to earth from the sun, and yet, if you were to somehow get into the sun, you would find no rays there at all! Sunrays do not exist within the source of their existence. In the sun itself, there is only SUN.
Similarly, this world 🪐 exists only due to the divine light and energy ☄️which sustains it. However, within the source of that energy, within G-d Himself, that light and energy doesn’t exist. There is *only G-d*!
When you really stop and think, when you delve deeply into the concept of G-d's unique existence, and how literally everything else is meaningless and insignificant and doesn’t even exist, your heart begins to fill with wonder and awe.
You begin to feel closer and more connected to G-d,
And then slowly,
You begin to feel joyful and happy 💖💖, with inner peace that stems from faith 😌.
Making this world a dwelling place for G-d begins within each person. When our minds and hearts are filled with awareness, awe, and love for G-d, we live our lives accordingly and the whole world slowly becomes a place where G-d can comfortably dwell.
_*This is the whole purpose of man☝️ and his creation - and the creation of all the upper and lower worlds: that there be a dwelling place 🏡 for G-d in the lowest world 🌍*_
Imagine you are at home, busily preparing for Purim 🥮🫕👨🏼🌾🧑🍳👘🎀🎉… The place is chaotic and noisy, when suddenly, there's a knock on the door 🚪. You open the door and just about pass out.
Someone you really admire and respect is standing there. Maybe it’s the Queen of England 👸. Or your favorite president, celebrity, or billionaire … She’s there alone, with no entourage. She asks you for a cup of coffee ☕and to stay by you for a few days 🏡…
Everything changes 🙃. You have a lot more work on your hands now 🪣🛋️, _but that doesn’t bother you_ 🤩🤩! In fact, you are thrilled 🤍🛎️🤍🛎️🤍!
Now consider this:
G-d created all the worlds but asks each of us to open the door of our hearts and entertain Him _in there_.
Yes, it’s work... But it’s a wonderful joy and privilege!
Realizing that a privilege and honor has been bestowed upon you opens your heart and enables you to view the experience as a pleasure and joy 💛💚💙.
