For a 2 minute audio version click here
I DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE TAKING ME
There is a puzzling story in the Talmud about one of its greatest figures, Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai. Lying on his deathbed, he began to weep when his students visited him.
His disciples asked him “Lamp of Israel, pillar of the right hand, mighty hammer! Why do you weep?”
He responded “There are two ways before me, one leading to paradise and the other to hell, and I do not know to which I shall be taken…”
What could such a great and holy sage have meant by this answer?
There is a puzzling story in the Talmud about one of its greatest figures, Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai. Lying on his deathbed, he began to weep when his students visited him.
His disciples asked him “Lamp of Israel, pillar of the right hand, mighty hammer! Why do you weep?”
He responded “There are two ways before me, one leading to paradise and the other to hell, and I do not know to which I shall be taken…”
What could such a great and holy sage have meant by this answer?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe explained this story as follows:
For all of his life Rabbi Yochanan was so preoccupied with what he had to do, he never thought of himself. Consequently he never had time to think about whether he was deserving of heaven or hell.
Such questions only arise when one is idle. Rabbi Yochanan was so busy fulfilling G-d’s call, when he came to the finish line, he simply didn’t know where he was destined to go.
BODILY HEALTH
This idea holds true in many areas of life, even down to physical health.
Such questions only arise when one is idle. Rabbi Yochanan was so busy fulfilling G-d’s call, when he came to the finish line, he simply didn’t know where he was destined to go.
BODILY HEALTH
This idea holds true in many areas of life, even down to physical health.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe wrote, “When a person begins to feel that he has a heart, head, hand, foot, or any other limb, it is a sign that something is amiss. A healthy person does not feel his limbs due to their constant availability; when he begins to feel them, it is the opposite of health.”
How do we know our body is healthy? When we don’t feel it. The healthier a body is, the less you sense it.
HAPPINESS
How do we know our body is healthy? When we don’t feel it. The healthier a body is, the less you sense it.
HAPPINESS
Happiness is no different. Happiness comes when you are at one with yourself, when you are connected to your essence and when your life is connected to your innermost identity.
Take a look at a two year-old running around having a great time.
Take a look at a two year-old running around having a great time.
Sit this child down and ask: “So tell me, do you feel good? Are you happy? Do you feel valuable?” Most likely the child will look at you strangely with a look implying “Stop bothering me; I’m busy living.”
Indeed, when we are truly busy living, the “you” does not occupy independent space. When the ‘I’ is totally in touch with life, it does not inform us that it exists, for it is completely unified with its purpose and mission. It is in this space that one can be truly happy.
We discover happiness when we become a channel for something greater than ourselves. Instead of searching for what we need, we must search for what we are needed.
We can’t own our happiness. Happiness must own us. We can’t define happiness. It must define us.
This is the great paradox:
Indeed, when we are truly busy living, the “you” does not occupy independent space. When the ‘I’ is totally in touch with life, it does not inform us that it exists, for it is completely unified with its purpose and mission. It is in this space that one can be truly happy.
We discover happiness when we become a channel for something greater than ourselves. Instead of searching for what we need, we must search for what we are needed.
We can’t own our happiness. Happiness must own us. We can’t define happiness. It must define us.
This is the great paradox:
As long as we pursue happiness as an end in itself, it is unattainable.
Artificial gratification, yes. A good feeling about achievements, yes. But authentic inner, genuine happiness at the core of our existence, no.
It is only when we forget about our own pursuits and instead devote ourselves fully to a greater cause that we attain genuine happiness.