Shavuot: Do You Know What You Really Want?
Do you know what you really want?
Is it you who wants it, or are you trying to please or impress others?
As we all know, human beings are social animals.
We are all profoundly influenced by our peers or society in general.
Even our dreams and aspirations are shaped by others. For better or worse.
So how do we begin to examine or discover what we truly want in life?
The challenge lies in the complex structure of the human being.
But let’s try to keep things simple.
There are four dimensions of existence:
Biological, emotional, mental and spiritual.
Each one is a distinct world with its own dynamics and values. Each one wants to be the center of gravity.
Like all life, each part needs its own nutritional diet to maintain a healthy existence.
The body needs a good balance of vitamins and minerals.
Healthy relationships built on mutual trust and love provide emotional nutrition.
Keeping our minds intellectually stimulated through constant critical thinking maintains a healthy clarity, vital in a profoundly confusing world.
Finally, we have the soul. It is the quietest voice, yet at the same time it is the core of our being.
It too has its own nutritional needs, needs which cannot be ignored.
In life we want what we think we need.
The question is, where is the center of gravity? What it the core of our existence? Which forces compliment and empower others?
The body is physical and operates in a narrow and short-sighted way.
Our soul on the other hand is fully integrated into a spiritual reality, which transcends the narrow constrains of time and place.
Our soul feels naturally connected to all of humanity. It feels and experiences the unity in all existence.
What do we really want? Nothing else than to provide spiritual nutrition to our soul.
We achieve this by aligning our will with G-ds will.
Yes, this might sound completely counterintuitive.
But that is only if our body is the center of gravity.
As history continues to unfold in a most profound way, we are beginning to realize this is not the case. In fact, the opposite is true.
Simply put, we really want what our soul needs.
To connect to humanity and to G-d, through acts of kindness.
To become more spiritual by surrendering the will of the body to the will of our soul.
There’s no greater moment to dedicate ourselves to this spiritual journey, then at the time of the year when the Jewish people celebrate the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
A moment when we all began that spiritual journey, by surrendering our will to G-ds will.
This is what we truly want!
Dedicated to the safety of our brothers & sisters in Israel, may G-d watch over and protect them.