Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Being in the Present: 1c

A person can only come to these understandings by spending time engaged in Hisbodidus, private time connecting to Hashem. We will discuss later that a person's inner self is as much a part of him as are his ribs. He can't truly see himself for what he is, for good or for bad, without someone else separating it from him and bringing it before him. Similarly, there are parts of a person's soul that are disconnected from belief, he is unaware that certain issues that plague him need no explanation, they are part of his destiny. He needs to come before Hashem in order for Hashem to open him and show him what's inside. To give him the knowledge that what he perceives as lacking need not be filled. Rather it is a tool that will enable him to discover that he has no independent existence. There is nothing other than Hashem.

Similar to a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend, he will discover post-Hisbodidus that he understands his truth better. Like someone who has unloaded to a close friend, even if the friend hasn't offered any advice things have become more clear to his own soul. How much more so when the friend is Hashem.

Creation is defined by time and space, but the present is timeless. It is a fleeting instant that doesn't last which is defined by the past and the future. The place of free-will is in the moment; that which has passed or what is not yet is not open to choice. This is why the Temple, the place where God's presence manifests itself in this world, is also called בית הבחירה, the House of Choice.

The present doesn't serve as a bridge to the past and future, rather they serve the present. There is nothing greater than the present. All you have in life is now. It is the opportunity to shine Hashem's light upon the world. The letter הוה (present) form the bulk of the name of Hashem. By connecting to the present you add the י to הוה and form His name.

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